Facing Challenges

How to remain balanced in trying times

- Smt. Priyamvada Waghmare

This month's Couples Class topic was 'Facing Challenges.' We had the honour of having with us Shri Hemant Oberoi as our chief guest speaker. He was the executive chef of the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, Mumbai. All of us have heard about him as he was on duty when the siege of the hotel took place on that fateful day of 26th November 2008. The media brought to us hair-raising stories about his bravery, valour, presence of mind and duty consciousness. But to hear about it from the person himself was much more motivating!

Mr. Oberoi transported us to another world as he narrated the incidents of that particular day and through his narration, he drew an interesting word picture of the very day! We felt we were present along with him, his guests and his battalion of trusted staff. Guests were led from the new building to the old where they were housed in the exclusive club, 'The Chambers.' Unknown to the infiltrators, 350 guests stayed there, were fed and surrounded by a wall of his loyal lieutenants who refused to desert duty and go home. A true display of Atithi Devo Bhava! God tests only those who have able shoulders as He would like to make them stronger and even during testing times, He is the one who bears the weight on His shoulders, along with the chosen ones.