Service With A Smile

To any guest who has visited the ITC Windsor hotel in Bangalore, Vinita Bartlett’s face is well known. Her ever-present smile and gentle persona have endeared her to the hotel’s regular patrons. But behind the happy facade is a lady with a will of steel. For she has fought against the odds and dealt courageously with the rough hand life dealt her. Today, Vinita proudly says that she is happy and content with all she has and is thankful to the Almighty for giving her the strength to make the right choices in life.

“I was married for just two-and-a-half years when I lost my beloved husband, Godfrey Bartlett, to a malignancy. At that time my daughter, Divya, was just 11 months old and I was still nursing her,” tells Vinita, who works as Public Relations Manager at ITC Windsor. “I was able to survive because I got tremendous support from my work place, which was like family to me during this difficult period.” After having served at the same place for more than 26 years, Vinita has become an integral part of the hotel’s charm and is often sought out by patrons, just to enjoy a touch of her warm and amiable manner.

Born to parents of a mixed marriage – her mother was Catholic Goan and her father a Tamil Brahmin – Vinita spent her younger days in a disciplined manner as her father was a very decorated Air Force Officer. “Being brought up the the armed-forces background we were taught discipline, amiability at home, sharing of emotions and friendship and most importantly to be self-sufficient. I think these traits have helped me cope with life and what it is today,” she explains.

Educated in Mumbai where she received her Honours Degree from the Bombay University, she initially worked there for some years before marriage brought her to Bangalore. “This city has been my home ever since and I don’t think I would want to go back to Mumbai now even if I was given the chance.”

Career has always been of prime importance to this lady and she has often spoken of how thankful she is to her workplace for always accommodating her with lenient hours and extra time-off in order to fulfill her duties as a single mother. Vinita’s daughter Divya is now 23 and presently is a Hotel Management Trainee in Sales and Marketing at the ITC Hospitality Management Institute, Gurgaon.

“I am successful because I believe hard work, commitment and integrity can take you places. I have always believed in the Pillars of Social Capital, which is Integrity, Trust, Loyalty, Respect and Reciprocity. In public relations you have to be a relationship builder, a good listener – you have to ideate, you have to be creative and you have to be articulate and give attention to detail,” she tells. “I am so proud of my daughter for choosing this career path. I will always appreciate the way the company stood by me, every time during my hour of need.”