Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal Welcomes Chef Mohd. Asif Qureshi as Master Chef – Nazaara

Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal Welcomes Chef Mohd. Asif Qureshi as Master Chef – Nazaara

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 7, 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal has announced the appointment of Chef Mohd. Asif Qureshi as Master Chef – Nazaara, bringing with him over two decades of rich culinary experience across leading hospitality brands in India and abroad. Known for his expertise in Indian, Mughlai, and Awadhi cuisines, Chef Asif is set to further elevate the hotel’s dynamic culinary offerings with his distinctive flair and authentic touch.

Before joining Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, Chef Asif served as Chef de Cuisine at JW Marriott Bengaluru, where he curated refined dining experiences that beautifully blended Indian flavours with a modern twist. His impressive career spans several renowned properties, including The Den Bengaluru, The Zuri Whitefield Bengaluru, ITC Fortune Select Trinity Bengaluru, Radisson Blu Paschim Vihar New Delhi, ITC Chola Sheraton Chennai, Radisson Hotel (GRT) Chennai, and ITC Maratha Mumbai.

On the international front, Chef Asif has led culinary teams at Daalchini Restaurant in Dubai and Move N Pick Hotels in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, enriching his experience with diverse global influences.

Recognised for his mastery of traditional Indian cuisine, Chef Asif focuses on infusing authenticity into every dish while embracing modern culinary techniques. His style blends age-old traditions with innovation, ensuring every dining experience reflects both nostalgia and creativity.

Commenting on the appointment, Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, said, “We are delighted to welcome Chef Asif to our culinary team. His vast experience, especially in Indian and Awadhi cuisines, will add great value to our dining experiences. We look forward to his creative interpretations and the new energy he will bring to our culinary offerings.”

With Chef Asif at the helm, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Bengaluru’s most vibrant dining destinations, offering guests a refined yet diverse gastronomic journey that celebrates both tradition and innovation.


Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Guntur Announces the Promotion of Mr. Arvind Mishra as Executive Housekeeper

Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Guntur Announces the Promotion of Mr. Arvind Mishra as Executive Housekeeper

By Hariharan U

Published on November 7, 2025

Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Guntur, is pleased to announce the promotion of Mr. Arvind Mishra as Executive Housekeeper. With a proven track record of excellence and over a decade of experience in hospitality operations, Mr. Mishra has been instrumental in maintaining the hotel’s high standards of cleanliness, guest comfort, and sustainability. In his new role.

he will continue to lead the housekeeping team with a focus on service innovation, efficiency, and guest satisfaction, further strengthening Welcomhotel Guntur’s commitment to delivering world-class hospitality and ensuring an impeccable stay experience for every guest

About Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Guntur

Nestled in the heart of Andhra Pradesh, Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Guntur blends modern luxury with the region’s rich cultural heritage. Designed for both business and leisure travelers, the hotel features contemporary accommodations, diverse dining experiences, and signature warm hospitality. With sustainable practices at its core, Welcomhotel Guntur embodies ITC Hotels’ “Responsible Luxury” philosophy, offering guests an experience that is both refined and environmentally conscious.


Cygnet.One Appoints Dr. Pankaj Dikshit as Executive Director to Drive AI-Led Digital Transformation

Cygnet.One Appoints Dr. Pankaj Dikshit as Executive Director to Drive AI-Led Digital Transformation

By Hariharan U

Published on November 7, 2025

Cygnet.One, a global leader in digital tax transformation and enterprise technology, has announced the appointment of Dr. Pankaj Dikshit, PhD (IIT Delhi) as Executive Director. With over 30 years of experience spanning government, enterprise, and technology, Dr. Dikshit brings a rare mix of strategic vision and hands-on expertise in building national-scale digital systems powered by AI and compliance-driven frameworks. He will operate from New Delhi.

An IIT Delhi alumnus, Dr. Dikshit holds both M.Tech and PhD degrees and has previously held senior roles at IBM and the Government of India. Over his career, he has been at the forefront of digital transformation, AI adoption, cybersecurity, and policy innovation, earning recognition from AWS, ET Digitech, and DSCI for his leadership in technology and data-driven governance.

One of his most notable contributions was his pioneering role in India’s GST digital transformation, where he helped scale the system to serve millions of taxpayers, billions of invoices, and transactions across the country. He also played a key role in designing and implementing the E-Way Bill and e-Invoicing frameworks, strengthening revenue collection and compliance through technology.

Speaking on his new role, Dr. Pankaj Dikshit shared, “Having worked closely with both government and industry leaders on large-scale digital transformations, I believe technology is more than compliance,  it’s a catalyst for trust, efficiency, and long-term value. At Cygnet.One, I’m excited to extend this vision by helping enterprises embrace AI-first, secure, and compliant digital systems that redefine the way they operate.”

Niraj Hutheesing, Founder and Managing Director of Cygnet.One, added, “We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Dikshit to our leadership team. His work in India’s digital transformation and his experience at the intersection of policy, governance, and technology make him the ideal leader to guide our next phase of growth. His expertise will accelerate our mission to empower enterprises through AI-driven and compliance-led innovation.”

At Cygnet.One, Dr. Dikshit will focus on advancing AI-first digital transformation across key sectors including BFSI, Manufacturing, Pharma, Retail, and the Public Sector. His leadership will help businesses move beyond compliance, turning regulatory alignment into opportunity and driving measurable value through automation and intelligent systems.

Beyond enterprise strategy, Dr. Dikshit is also expected to contribute to Cygnet.One’s core growth pillars, Clients, Cygnetians, and Community by promoting a culture of innovation, mentorship, and social impact through technology.

Cygnet.One continues to stand at the forefront of digital transformation, with expertise spanning Tax, VAT & GST compliance, e-Invoicing, AI-driven data intelligence, and enterprise modernization. The company is actively involved in large-scale implementations across regions including India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Europe, helping businesses redefine how they comply, connect, and compete in the evolving digital economy.


JLL India Welcomes Gaurav Sharma as Head of Hotels & Hospitality Business

JLL India Welcomes Gaurav Sharma as Head of Hotels & Hospitality Business

By Hariharan U

Published on November 6, 2025

JLL India has announced the appointment of Gaurav Sharma as Head of the Hotels & Hospitality Group for India and Senior Director, Hotel Capital Markets, Asia. In his new role, Sharma will lead JLL’s hospitality practice across India, drawing on nearly two decades of experience in real estate and hospitality investments to strengthen the firm’s leadership in this fast-growing sector.

Based in Delhi, Sharma will report directly to Nihat Ercan, CEO of JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia Pacific. His appointment also marks a return to JLL India, where he previously led capital markets for North India between 2006 and 2012.

The move comes at an exciting time for India’s hospitality industry, which continues to post impressive growth. According to JLL’s latest analysis, the country’s hotel sector recorded a 10.5% year-over-year increase in Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) as of YTD September 2025, following a record-breaking 2024 that saw over 42,000 new keys and approximately 25 major investment transactions.

Development activity also remains strong, with 182 hotel signings totalling 22,469 keys in the first half of 2025 — a 16% rise compared to the same period last year. Notably, over 70% of new projects were signed in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, highlighting the sector’s diversification beyond traditional metro markets.

Commenting on the appointment, Nihat Ercan said, “Gaurav’s appointment reinforces JLL’s commitment to strengthening our hospitality expertise in India, and it’s particularly meaningful to have him return to the JLL family. His deep understanding of both domestic and international hospitality markets, coupled with his exceptional transaction experience, positions him perfectly to guide our clients through India’s hospitality sector. His return also signifies JLL’s continued investment in India’s booming hotel industry, as we build on our presence with dedicated hospitality expertise across our three key offices in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore.”

In his extended role in hotel capital markets across Asia, Sharma will also focus on strategic transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and platform deals, leveraging his vast experience in structuring complex hospitality investments.

Sharma brings a proven track record of success, having spent nearly 20 years driving strategic growth and operational excellence in the real estate and hotel investment space. Most recently, he served as Vice President – Real Estate, Head of Asset Management and M&A at The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), where he oversaw key initiatives across the company’s extensive portfolio.

Before joining IHCL, Sharma played a pivotal role at SAMHI Hotels Ltd, serving as Vice President – Head of Investments for over a decade. During his tenure from 2012 to 2022, he was instrumental in shaping SAMHI’s hotel portfolio and leading multiple high-value transactions.

With his return, JLL India strengthens its leadership in the hospitality domain, aligning its strategy with the sector’s strong growth momentum and expanding investment opportunities across the country and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

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