Karnataka minister Zameer tips Rs 25k at Mangaluru hotel, gifts cook a pilgrimage

MANGALURU: It's not everyday that a happy customer leaves a Rs 25,000 tip. Haneef Mohammed of Boliyar, who is a partner in a fish restaurant here, couldn't believe his luck when minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan not only left a hefty tip, but praised his culinary skills and insisted on feeding him from his own plate. The food and civil supplies minister also offered to send Haneef on umrah (pilgrimage) to Mecca. Khan was in Mangaluru on Thursday for an official review meet. For lunch, the minister went to 'Fish Market' in Lower Bendoor, along with former MLA Mohiuddin Bawa, educationist and president of Wakf Committee UK Monu, and UT Iftikar Ali, brother of minister UT Khader. "We served pomfret and anjal among other varieties of fish. He (Khan) said he had never eaten such delicious seafood and called the cook,"said Ansar, another partner in the restaurant. "He made Haneef sit next to him and fed him from his own plate. Later, he gave Rs 20,000 as tips to all employees and Rs 5,000 to Haneef. He also promised to send him for Umrah. The minister's personal assistant has taken details from him." "It was an unexpected moment. I have served many politicians, including Rahul Gandhi and Ghulam Nabi Azad, but never received such appreciation for my cooking," said Haneef. "It is a momentous day in my 18-year-long professional life". Haneef had been working in the Gulf for a few years before turning partner in the restaurant three years ago. Khan is fast becoming known for his generosity. Two weeks ago, he made a donation of Rs 1 lakh each to four youths who played a major role in rescuing people during the recent landslides at Jodupala, bordering Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts. On the same day, he announced a personal contribution of Rs 10 lakh to Snehadeep, a home that cares for AIDS-affected children in the city. The amount, the minister said, was to help the institution purchase its own building. Source: Times of India