Mumbai Hotel mourns demise of Chandra Shekhar

Mumbai, July 9 (UNI) Even as the political class pays homage to former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar, who died yesterday, staff of a Mumbai city hotel, which was the veteran leader's abode whenever he visited the country's financial capital also silently mourned his demise.

Chandra Shekhar was the ''favourite guest'' of Hotel Ritz situated at Churchgate in close vicinity of the offices of political parties and the seat of the State Government -- Mantralaya.

''Chandra Shekarji was a warm person and always smiling,'' they said.

Recalling the fond memories, Daulat Shirke, an employee of the hotel for the past three decades working in its Front Office told UNI, ''Chandra Shekarji always stayed in Room No 407. Whenever the staff greeted him upon his entry into the hotel lobby, he would reciprocate smilingly with folded hands,'' Mr Shirke said.

When Chandra Shekhar became the Prime Minister, he did not forget his ''family members'' at the Ritz hotel. ''He expressed desire to meet the Ritz staff within two days of being sworn-in as PM.

Chandra Shekhar came to Mumbai to meet us. We had organised a small felicitation function for him,'' he recalled.

Food and Beverages department manager Mr Terence said Chandra Shekhar was a strict vegetarian. His food habits were simple.

''Stuffed bhindi, Dal khichdi, Zeera Aalu, Dahi Kadi were some of his favourite dishes,'' he said.

Mr Terence said Chandra Shekhar always felt at home, whenever he was at The Ritz. ''Even we considered him as one of our own. He was our favourite guest,''he said and added that after he resigned as Prime Minister, his visits to Mumbai stopped. ''I think because his health was failing. May be he visited the city once or twice,''he added.

Mr Terence said before his visit to the Hotel as the capacity of Prime Minister, a doctor checked the food we were to serve him.

''Whenever Chandra Shekhar came to the Hotel as a minister, his security would accompany him. Ritz was used to the security checks because the hotel is frequented by several politicians and celebrities. Among our favourite guests include Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who stayed in our hotel many times during his visits to Mumbai,'' Mr Terence said.

UNI