BRICS summit: Red carpet rolled out at Taj Exotica

Hotel Taj Exotica has turned into a high security zone with guests living there moved out to other facilities of the Taj group

Hotel Taj Exotica, which would be hosting heads of countries during the BRICS summit here, has renovated two prime suites where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladmir Putin will be staying during the two-day event beginning on October 15.

"The entire hotel was taken up for renovation in which we have specially made up two of our prime suites where the Indian prime minister and the Russian President will be staying. Both the suites are in two different parts of the hotel," Ranjit Phillipose, general manager, Taj Exotica told PTI on Thursday.

The hotel has currently turned into a high security zone with guests living there moved out to other facilities of the Taj group.

The hotel has flown in the best chefs from across the country to provide the best meals to the visiting guests during the summit, he said.

"With five heads of states with different tastes and different preferences, our chefs have worked to get the right mix. What we have done is that in all the meals there are different elements. There is North Indian, South Indian, Goan and in order to make it right we have flown in our chefs from different parts of India," he said.

In a bid to give a Goan touch to the food, the hotel has invited celebrity chef from the state Urbano do Rego, who will be creating the master dishes, he said.

"The food menus are similar with all heads of the state. It is hosted by Prime Minister Modi, so menu is chosen by his office. Goan delicacy there is a variety of it. It is not complete Goan but there are elements of Goan," Phillipose said.

Talking about the overall preparations, the general manager said, "As is the case with any event of such magnitude, there have been logistical challenges. We have not only braved them but also have ensured a seamless experience as our guests arrive."

He said that since various agencies are involved in the preparations, getting the various key service providers to work in tandem has also been a challenge, but at the end of the day it has all worked out because everyone wants the event to be a grand success and to showcase Goa and India in the best manner possible.

Phillipose said that for the Taj Group, which had hosted CHOGM (Commonwealth heads of government meeting) retreat in 1983 in Goa, this event stands to be very important.

"As custodians of Indian hospitality, Taj Group has championed several momentous occasions over a period. With a great legacy comes an enormous responsibility of delivering over and beyond the existential benchmarks. While Taj mirrors unparallelled experience in hosting grand events, international conventions, it is an art that has been perfected over the last 113 years," he said.