Islamabad: Marriott reopens its doors for full service

[Naveed Yaseen]

With a ‘never say die’ philosophy and the spirit of team work alive and well in its employees, the Marriott Hotel reopened its doors for full service in a record number of days - 99 to be exact! No one took a day off except during the two Eid festivals, which fell during this time. Customers and friends were invited to join in the formal celebration Sunday featuring a ‘high tea’ with delicious items from the hotel’s catering section.

Among the guests were a number of diplomats including US Ambassador Anne Patterson and many familiar faces from the business and political circles of the capital, while Marriott staff members were present in full force to welcome everyone, who were greeted at the entrance by members of the Hashwani family.

The suicide blast at the hotel in the month of Ramazan had left everyone in a state of shock and dismay, with sympathy for the families whose members had perished in the cowardly attack running high. Opening it in such a record period has rekindled the hope that things are not as bad as they appear — we just need to stand defiant in the face of those who would bring the country a bad name. By canceling events and running scared, we give out the wrong message — if we believe that life and death are ordained, then we should carry on with our lives in as normal a manner as possible.

A red carpet welcome led guests to a spot where the names and photographs of thirty-two employees who had perished on that fateful day were displayed, with flowers and candles available for those who wanted to show their respect on this occasion. Guests were then ushered into the Marquee, bigger, better and more beautifully decorated than it ever was, with no pillars to break the expanse of the hall and the motto, ‘Rising from the ashes to a new beginning’ blazoned across the screen behind the podium.

Before the formality of speeches began, a video was screened showing the disaster, its aftermath; the renovation work in progress and the new areas which have been completed and are now open for customers — seventy rooms and a number of refreshment areas including everyone’s favourite, the Nadia coffee shop.

After recitation from the Holy Qur’aan, Director, Public Relations, Sufia Shahid welcomed the guests and said no one had though that the hotel would reopen in such a short span of time, adding it was only through the commitment, vision and guidance of Hashoo Group Chairman Sadruddin Hashwani that had made it possible. Before calling on him to say a few words she requested the guests to give him a round of applause, which they did with enthusiasm.

Addressing the gathering Sadruddin Hashwani thanked them for being there and said it was not commercial concerns which had made him complete the renovations he had promised on the very day the hotel had been attacked but to present a positive image to the world. “Hotels may come and go,” he said. “What upset us the most was the loss of precious lives of the people who were on duty that day.”

He announced that a special trust, ‘Sahara’ had been set up to look after the welfare of the families of the victims and gave credit to his daughter Sara — for running it under the umbrella of the other charitable organisations which the Hashoo Group runs for education; special children and women’s empowerment. Informing that the hotel was now one of the safest as far as security was concerned, he explained that a ‘Hesco’ blast proof wall had been built around it; a sprinkler system was in place and modern technology had been applied to all other aspects of security. In conclusion he called on stage the team leaders who had worked with dedication during the past three months and thanked them warmly for their support.

Before tea was served a letter from Bill Marriott, owner of Marriott Hotels around the world was read out which stressed the strong bonds of the ‘Marriott family’ and congratulated the hotel on its new beginning.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=162863