PM Modi hails Mangaluru hotel owner’s helpful gesture

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 30, 2016: M Ranadheera, a hotel owner in Mangaluru, found a mention in the PM’s ’Mann ki Baat’ aired on radio and television.  Ranadheera, owner of Vardhaman Hotel on airport road at Yeyyadi, was oblivious to the fact that the PM had mentioned him during his address to the nation.

A pleasantly surprised Ranadheera, 60, said: "I support PM’s move on demonetisation of high value currency notes to root out black money. That my name was mentioned in his speech shows that the PM is connected to the nation. It was a small measure I implemented to overcome the problem of small change due to demonetisation. I’m happy and thank the PM."

The hotel owner’s initiative started on November 9 when a regular customer landed with his family and ran up a bill of Rs 300. When he offered a Rs 500 demonetised note, Ranadheera, who had read the news in the morning newspapers, said t was not legal tender. The customer asked him to write down the amount in his book and he’d pay later.   "That started it. My hotel is frequented by locals, who are from the upper class to the labour class. Most of them are regulars. All have paid the amount due quite promptly. Mangalureans are honest people and they appreciated my gesture,’’ said Ranadheera.