Rustic Leisures Hotels Provides a Unique Experience for Differently-abled Individuals

KOCHI:
On the World Tourism Day 2024, Rustic Leisures Hotels, Vypin provided a unique experience for a group of differently-abled Individuals. The hotel staffs and invited guests witnessed heartwarming moments when differently-abled Individuals expressed their immense joy and excitement when given an opportunity to fish from the large pond in the hotel property and getting hands-on with culinary skills.

It was a day when they forgot their physical limitations and were filled with the excitement of team spirit and winning. The hotel management’s unique initiative was aimed to make World Tourism Day celebrations more inclusive by creating a welcoming environment for differently-abled individuals and providing a platform to showcase their talents and contributions. The members who have participated in the fishing and culinary programme were inmates of the Brothers of ST. Joseph Cottolengo, Palluruthy. In addition to the participants, the students of the MSW Department of Jai Bharath Arts &
Science College, Perumbavoor, also took part and supported the event.

The primary objective of this programme was to bring the differently-abled people to the forefront of the society and provide opportunities to those interested in culinary and other hospitalityskill developments, said Shibu Peter, Managing director of Rustic Leisures Hotels. Fishing, culinary experiences and hospitality training sessiosn were the part of the programme. A native of Upputhara in Idukki district, Manu Saji, who has excelled in the group, was offered employment in a hotel. The appointment letter was handed over to Manu during a ceremony held in the afternoon. Manu’s father, Saji, also attended the event.

Saji expressed his happiness and said that his son always wanted to work in the hospitality industry and as he wished he got a job in his choicest field. Manu, who was born hearing-impaired, completed his education in special schools in Muvattupuzha and Adoor. Afterwards, Manu did a special course from the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled in Kalamaseri and was employed in the housekeeping department of a prominent five-star hotel. He lost the job during the Covid-19 pandemic days and could not find employment after that. Shibu Peter added that a number of differently abled people like Manu who are efficient and eligible for employment in many fields and it is the responsibility of the society to provide them suitable employment opportunities..