Ashwini hails from a village about 30 kms from our resort. A graduate in the making, she used to work for the Karnataka state electricity board before joining us in the spring of 2008 as a telephone operator trainee. She had no prior experience or qualification for this post except her natural ebullience and dedication, which was enough for us to build on. Today her voice is instantly recognizable by the guests at Kabini for its lilting quality, oozing pounds of courtesy and concern. It's a nice voice to be woken up by each morning, offered your first breakfast call or reminded of the slated tribal dance later in the evening.
For her part Ashwini is very happy to be a member of the Orange County family. "My work is so much fun. I could do this forever" she declares with childlike candour. A very supportive work environment and a warm and humane management who are kind to "mistakes and slip-ups" are also reasons for the continuing enchantment with her work she reveals.
She is not without her own dreams, however. "I want to be a receptionist. I love welcoming people and introducing them to the resort".
So look out. You may be the lucky one who could meet this dashing young lady at the doors of the Kabini resort some day, welcoming you with a tilak and a smile that could embarrass a halogen light for its brightness and intensity.
