Late Shri Anil Bhandari was perhaps one of the tallest leaders of the Indian Hospitality Industry, with a rich and exemplary career. He leaves behind a very rich legacy.

As media folks, we write such a lot as part of our work, it is hardest to write an obituary and harder still when one has to write for an elder, a father like figure, friend and well wisher. 

Mr. Anil Bhandari was our mentor and a go-to-father figure to discuss and bounce off ideas with. While earlier, we'd met at the PHD Chamber of commerce, now for the last year and a half our meetings were over calls and virtually on zoom and we had countless many. One never imagined that the quota of in-person meetings was already over.

In fact, Bhandari sab had called me three weeks ago to check on me. 

"Malko, kithhe ho, taudi koi Khabbar hi nahen?"

"My friend, where are you, there is no news of you?" 

Punjabi was our medium chatting up and that was at my behest. Earlier on he'd respond in English or Hindi and part Punjabi, off late, it was Punjabi.  

He last spoke about both of us going together and meeting Maj Habib-ur-Rehman. This meeting had been planned for a while but for some reason or the other never happened. Alas, I shall have to do this meeting alone by myself. I shall keep the chair, next, vacant with a rose on the seat, in memory of Bhandari sab.

Polite and humble to a fault, Bhandari sab always took calls in a bell or two and was like, ever ready to help. 

For the past few days he had been at the Medanta in Gurgaon and had recovered from COVID and was planning his return home. A heart patient, his heart played up yesterday and he succumbed to a cardiac arrest this morning.

My heart goes out to Mrs. Bhandari, his children and the entire family at this monumental loss. May god provide them strength to handle his sad demise.

Bhandari sab leaves behind an inconsolable industry, friends, well-wishers and his legion of followers.

BW HOTELIER has planned a virtual tribute for Late Shri Anil Bhandari, the date and time will be communicated to you all here and over social media.

Let us all put our hands together for Bhandari sab and pray for his departed soul.

Om Shanti!