Hospitality ON Event - Awards

Worldwide Hospitality Awards

Thursday 09 November 2023 à 18:00

Finaliste - Best Team Achievement

Taj Bentota Resort and Spa

Campaign - A life is a life and I am trained to save lives sans discrimination

This is a story of a young lifeguard at Taj Bentota Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka, who went beyond the call of duty to rescue three individuals drowning

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It was a day with heavy wind and strong sea currents. And Dinesh was alert.

From his experience he knew fatal accidents could happen on days like this in Bentota. He had seen three guests (a lady and two gentlemen) at the beach nearby the hotel, who seemed intoxicated and being careless. While he was watching the beach carefully, he heard cries of help from a hotel security officer.

He took stock of the situation quickly- three guests were in danger. The lady and a gentleman he had seen earlier were struggling for life near the beach while the third one was far off near a slippery rock and the strong current was dragging him in.

Swiftly he took the support of another Taj employee and a local gentleman who happened to be on the beach. He first rescued the two guests who were closer to the beach, and then jumped into the turbulent waters without caring for his own life to save the third guest.

Fighting strong currents and using the skills he had mastered over several years, Dinesh managed to rescue the third person as well. He brought him to the shore on his shoulder and proceeded to give him first aid immediately. In no time the guest opened his eyes and gave him a weak smile!

Thanks to Dinesh’s well-timed response, all the three guests were saved without any serious injuries. He was showered with love and gratefulness.

The rescued guests thanked him profusely for giving them a chance to carry on with their lives and further being able to carry on the torch of bravery, kindness and humanity.

The guests were escorted to their respective hotels, since they were not Taj guests. And as Dinesh insists-they are the guests of this beautiful island nation. His exact words were “a life is a life, whether it is of a guest of our hotel or not and I’m trained to save lives without any discrimination”. To speak more about Dinesh’s rescue records, this is his 6th recorded rescue after he joined the Taj Bentota Resort and Spa! Dinesh, our hero, lives the Taj values.

He is one of the finest examples of bravery, passion towards his duty and is an inspiration to all at the Taj Bentota and adjoining resorts. Vladmis & Elina Dzenudko (Room #418 – April), Mariya and he mother (Guests of a nearby hotel - February), Nicole Williams (Guests of a nearby hotel – May) are some of the names and details of the guests our hero Nadeemal helped to see yet another of day of their lives. Our heart swells with pride that we have such courageous and compassionate associates in our Team. Dinesh has taught us that courage is not lack of fear. It is acting despite the same and facing it head on!

Though the guests were non-residents, they took time out to personally visit the resort the next day to verbally appreciate Nadeemal’s effort in saving them from jaws of death.

The guests repeatedly thanked him for ensuring their safety while risking his own. Recognizing his valiant effort, Taj Bentota felicitated him in the Town Hall by showering him with the “Employee of the month” award. Additionally, he was also awarded Star of The Month by Indian Hotels Company Limited.

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