When was the last time you lost a contest, yet found yourself smiling and feeling like a winner?

Let me share with you a story about Bukya Thirupathi , a talented bartender at Nova Maldives . Bukya had been preparing for a highly anticipated mocktail competition. Weeks were spent experimenting and conducting thorough research, all in the pursuit of concocting a drink worthy of winning the contest.

With his dedication, Bukya finally crafted a mocktail that surpassed all expectations. But his work didn't end there. Bukya needed a sales pitch, a story that would captivate the judges and leave a lasting impression. Bukya delved into countless tales of mocktails and cocktails, searching for something genuine, authentic and true.

Realizing that he needed to infuse his own experiences and emotions into the story, Bukya reached out to some of his colleagues. Together, they carefully crafted a narrative that brought his mocktail to life. And so, Bukya's Naiboli was born.

Inspired by a restaurant at one of the company's other resort, Naiboli at The Nautilus Maldives , the name itself held deep meaning. Naiboli, in Dhivehi, meant Nautilus—a magnificent marine cephalopod creature. However, this remarkable animal faced constant danger, as fishermen targeted them for their beautiful shells, driving them towards extinction.

Bukya's Naiboli reflected this poignant story. Combining freshly squeezed pineapple juice, tangy lime, zesty ginger, and their homemade tropical blue curacao, the mocktail possessed a mesmerizing turquoise hue. To complete the presentation, Bukya garnished the drink with a spiral of lemon peel. But it didn't end there. Bukya took the opportunity to educate his guests/jury about the plight of the animal, encouraging them to symbolically return the captured creature to the ocean by dropping the lemon peel into their drink.

While the tale of Bukya's Naiboli may have piqued your interest, it was the encounter I had with Bukya during my recent visit to Nova that truly captivated me. Curious about his experience in the competition, I approached him with anticipation. What transpired next left me utterly amazed.

With a radiant smile stretching across his face, Bukya rushed toward me, extending his hand in greeting. "I didn't win," he exclaimed, "I was ranked fifth out of the forty participants. But the others did an incredible job too. You know what made it all worthwhile? The judges personally approached me after the contest, congratulating me for both the drink and the story. They even patted me on the back. For a fleeting moment, I felt like a true champion. Honestly, I had an incredible experience."

Bukya's statement left me pleasantly surprised. At such a young age, he had already learned the art of gracefully accepting defeat and embracing new experiences with curiosity. If he possessed such grace as a "loser," I couldn't help but imagine the inspiration he would be as a triumphant victor. In truth, he already served as an inspiration to Nova Maldives and Pulse Hotels & Resorts , embodying the spirit of a remarkable winner in every moment.