Hyderabad’s evolving culinary landscape has welcomed a new destination celebrating the flavours and traditions of Northeast India with the launch of Aakhol – An Assamese Restaurant in Kokapet. The restaurant brings an authentic home-style Assamese dining experience to the city, showcasing the simplicity, warmth, and rich culinary heritage of Assam.

Founded by Dr. Alpaxee Kashyap and her husband Akhil, Aakhol is inspired by a family legacy deeply connected with food and hospitality. Dr. Alpaxee’s maternal grandfather established Laxmi Cabin in Guwahati’s Fancy Bazar in 1942, one of the city’s oldest and most loved sweet shops, known for its iconic samosas. Continuing the family’s passion for hospitality, her parents later founded Aarian Woods, one of Guwahati’s pioneering boutique resorts.

After moving to Hyderabad in 2019, Dr. Alpaxee found herself missing the familiar flavours and comfort of Assamese home cooking. Unable to find authentic Assamese cuisine in the city, she started Aakhol in 2025 as a small home kitchen offering pre-order meals. The concept quickly gained popularity among the Assamese community and food enthusiasts in Hyderabad, leading to the opening of the full-fledged restaurant.

Speaking about the journey, Dr. Alpaxee Kashyap, Founder, Aakhol, said:

"When I moved to Hyderabad, I realised I missed more than just the food—I missed the feeling of home. Aakhol is our way of sharing that feeling with the city while giving fellow Assamese a place they can call their own. We hope every guest leaves with a deeper appreciation of Assam's cuisine, culture and hospitality."

Staying true to its roots, Aakhol does not modify its recipes to suit local preferences. Instead, the restaurant celebrates the authentic character of Assamese cuisine, where fresh ingredients, subtle spices, and traditional cooking techniques create balanced and flavourful dishes.

The menu features signature Assamese preparations including Bamboo Shoot Fish, traditional pork and chicken dishes, Assamese vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis, dali bota, fish chutney, sesame chutney, and the famous bhoot jolokia achaar for guests seeking a spicy experience. Key ingredients such as bamboo shoots, xoru aloo, and kaji nemu, Assam’s iconic citrus fruit, are sourced directly from Guwahati to preserve authenticity.

The culinary journey extends to desserts with traditional favourites such as White Payokh, Black Payokh, and Pati-Sapta Pitha, reflecting the cuisine’s philosophy of simplicity and balance.

Beyond food, Aakhol offers guests an immersive cultural experience inspired by Assamese homes. The restaurant’s interiors draw inspiration from Dr. Alpaxee’s grandmother’s house in Bharalu, Guwahati, featuring handcrafted décor elements, a legacy wall narrating the family’s hospitality journey, and a curated library celebrating Assamese literature, food, and culture.

With its launch, Aakhol aims to introduce Hyderabad not just to Assamese cuisine but also to the stories, traditions, and hospitality of Assam, creating a space where every meal becomes a cultural experience.

Restaurant Details:

Restaurant: Aakhol – An Assamese Restaurant
Location: H.1-1/476, Gandipet Main Road, Power Welfare Society, Manchirevula, Kokapet, Hyderabad, Telangana 500075
Timings:
Lunch: 12:30 PM – 03:30 PM
Dinner: 07:00 PM – 10:30 PM

Gulshan Group, a leading real estate developer in North India, has announced the appointment of Pankaj Singh as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), strengthening its leadership team as the company continues to expand its residential and commercial portfolio.

In his new role, Singh will be responsible for leading the company’s financial strategy, treasury operations, compliance framework, and risk management functions. He will also play a key role in strengthening financial governance, supporting capital allocation decisions, and contributing to Gulshan Group’s long-term growth strategy.

With extensive experience in the real estate sector, Pankaj Singh brings expertise in financial leadership, strategic planning, business operations, and organisational growth. Prior to joining Gulshan Group, he held leadership roles at organisations including DMI (OKAS Real Estate) and ATS Infrastructure, where he contributed to key financial initiatives focused on improving business performance and operational efficiency.

Commenting on the appointment, a senior spokesperson at Gulshan Group said, "At Gulshan Group, we believe that strong leadership is the cornerstone of sustainable growth. We are delighted to welcome Mr. Pankaj Singh as our Chief Financial Officer. With his proven expertise in finance, strategic planning, and operational excellence, we are confident that he will further strengthen our financial foundation as we scale our business and diversify our portfolio."

Speaking on his appointment, Pankaj Singh, Chief Financial Officer, Gulshan Group, said, "I am excited to join Gulshan Group and contribute to its next phase of growth. I look forward to strengthening the company's financial capabilities and working closely with the leadership team to drive sustainable, value-led growth."

With this appointment, Gulshan Group aims to further enhance its financial capabilities and strengthen its growth roadmap across residential, commercial, retail, and mixed-use developments.

Established with over three decades of experience, Gulshan Group has built a strong presence in India’s real estate sector through customer-focused developments, quality construction, and design-led urban spaces. The company continues to develop premium residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects across North India.

Novotel Vijayawada Varun has reinforced its commitment to sustainable hospitality practices on the occasion of World Nature Conservation Day, observed on July 28, by highlighting its ongoing initiatives focused on environmental responsibility, resource conservation, and responsible tourism.

Aligned with this year's theme of “Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature,” the hotel continues to integrate sustainability into its daily operations through cleaner energy solutions, waste reduction practices, and responsible resource management.

One of the key sustainability initiatives undertaken by the property was the transition from diesel to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for boiler operations used in laundry steam generation. Implemented in March 2023, the initiative has contributed to an estimated annual reduction of approximately 98 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions while eliminating sulphur dioxide emissions associated with diesel-based operations.

The hotel has also expanded its renewable energy adoption through solar power. Since early 2025, solar energy has contributed approximately 33 to 44 per cent of the property's monthly electricity requirements, resulting in an estimated annual reduction of around 1,476 to 1,968 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Beyond operational efficiencies, Novotel Vijayawada Varun has incorporated sustainability into the guest experience through initiatives such as complimentary electric vehicle charging stations, encouraging cleaner mobility among travellers. The property has also eliminated single-use plastics as part of its efforts to minimise waste and promote environmentally conscious practices.

Commenting on the initiative, Manish Pathak, Hotel Manager, Novotel Vijayawada Varun, said, "World Nature Conservation Day reminds us that every organization has an opportunity to contribute towards a healthier planet through meaningful action. We remain committed to adapting responsible practices that create a positive environmental impact while delivering a seamless experience for our guests."

The hotel's sustainability efforts have also received international recognition through the Green Key Certification, awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education, acknowledging its commitment towards responsible environmental practices.

As sustainability continues to influence the future of travel and hospitality, Novotel Vijayawada Varun remains focused on creating a greener hospitality ecosystem through cleaner energy adoption, conscious operations, and responsible guest experiences.