Columns
Since 2021, Chandi has published over 135 full-page articles on Sunday Island Newspaper in Sri Lanka, under the following column themes:
Passions of a Global Hotelier – From 2024 May to 2025 March
Places, People & Passions (3Ps) – From 2023 July to 2024 April
Confessions of a Global Gypsy – From 2021 March to 2023 March
The printed versions of each of these articles have reached over 250,000 readers every Sunday.
Summaries and links of the first five articles of the current series - Passions of a Global Hotelier, are provided below:
Episode 1 - From Violent Colombo to Peaceful Baghdad
Published on 2024 May 5th
In May 1989, I embarked on a journey that would mark a pivotal chapter in my career. Departing from Colombo bound for Bombay (later renamed Mumbai), I found myself among 50 former employees from Hotel Lanka Oberoi. As the sole senior divisional head amidst this group of new recruits for Iraq, I naturally assumed a leadership mantle for the duration of our travels.
Episode 2 - Culture Shock in Iraq
Published on 2024 May 12th
The article recounts the author's positive initial impressions of Iraq, highlighting the country's hospitality industry's resurgence post-war in 1989. The narrative delves into the camaraderie among expatriates and cultural revelations experienced, including nuances of local customs and religious practices. Challenges such as navigating a 'no-gun policy' at the popular night club of Hotel Babylon Oberoi and understanding the intricacies of Iraqi bureaucracy are detailed, along with the presence of espionage and surveillance in daily life. Despite setbacks, the author maintains optimism and adapts to the environment, fostering innovation within the hospitality sector. The narrative concludes with a reflection on using challenges as opportunities for personal growth and exploration.
Episode 3 - A Tourist in Iraq
Published on 2024 May 19th
During my free time from work at Hotel Babylon Oberoi, I set out to uncover the layers of history and tradition of Iraq. Our curiosity led us to Baghdad's renowned mosques, each a testament to the city's rich cultural heritage. Yet, it was the allure of the national museum and the famous Al-Mutanabbi Street that truly captivated our interest. An Excursion in Babylon with a history of a great civilization dating back to 4,000 years prior to our time, included visits to the Ishtar Gate and the stone sculpture Lion of Babylon. My subsequent explorations of Northern Iraq included visits to Mosul, Kirkuk, and Dokan, now identified as the ‘Jerusalem of Kurdistan’.
Episode 4 - Exciting Events at Babylon Oberoi
Published on 2024 May 26th
After reorganizing the coffee shop, restaurants, bars, pastry shop, nightclub, 24-hour room service, banqueting operations, and casino, we shifted our focus to new offerings. We introduced a daily poolside barbecue featuring popular street food and selected Morocco and India as themes for our initial food festivals. Responding to the growing demand for a permanent Indian restaurant at Hotel Babylon Oberoi, I led the opening of the most exclusive Indian restaurant in Baghdad. After an American General Manager at another five-star hotel in Baghdad disrespected a senior Iraqi politician, Oberoi was considered for an ad hoc management contract for that 350-room hotel.
Episode 5 - Unusual Challenges in Iraq
Published on 2024 May 26th
After reorganizing the coffee shop, restaurants, bars, pastry shop, nightclub, 24-hour room service, banqueting operations, and casino, we shifted our focus to new offerings. We introduced a daily poolside barbecue featuring popular street food and selected Morocco and India as themes for our initial food festivals. Responding to the growing demand for a permanent Indian restaurant at Hotel Babylon Oberoi, I led the opening of the most exclusive Indian restaurant in Baghdad. After an American General Manager at another five-star hotel in Baghdad disrespected a senior Iraqi politician, Oberoi was considered for an ad hoc management contract for that 350-room hotel.