Loading...
You have Successfully logged In !
Already have an account? Login
By clicking Register you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Don't have an account?Register
Enter your E-mail address below, We will send the verification code
Please enter the code send to
Didn't receive the email?Click to resend
Your password has been successfully reset!.
Please login again to access your account.
An OTP has been sent to
Enter the 4-digit code
By Hariharan U
Published on August 21, 2025
The State-Level Tribal Festival 2025 concluded in Keylong with resounding success, marking Himachal Pradesh’s first-ever eco-friendly and zero-waste festival. Organised by the District Administration of Lahaul & Spiti, the three-day event celebrated tribal heritage while championing environmental consciousness, making it a cultural landmark for the state.
The festival was virtually inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who also laid foundation stones for ₹36 crore worth of development projects in the Lahaul region. In his message, he said, “Lahaul is not only a land of unmatched beauty and cultural depth, but also a symbol of how sustainable development and heritage preservation can go hand-in-hand. The eco-friendly Tribal Festival 2025 is a shining example of a forward-looking, environmentally conscious Himachal Pradesh”.
The event drew thousands, including residents from remote villages, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts. With over 790 homestays and 70 hotels hosting visitors, the festival boosted local tourism and livelihoods while spotlighting community integration.
What set this festival apart was its green execution. From banning single-use plastic to introducing biodegradable utensils, refillable water stations, and waste segregation drives by Swachhata volunteers, the festival became a model of zero-waste celebrations in Himachal. The initiative was widely applauded and is expected to inspire similar eco-conscious events across the state.
The festival was spearheaded by Ms. Kiran Bhadana (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul & Spiti, who envisioned the event as both a cultural celebration and a sustainability movement.“This festival reflects the soul of Lahaul – its tribal roots, its vibrant culture, and its progressive spirit. Our aim was not just to celebrate, but to do so with mindfulness and inclusivity, ensuring every local, visitor, and stakeholder felt a part of this journey,” she said.
Other key contributors included Ms. Veena Devi (Zila Parishad Chairperson), Ms. Akanksha Sharma (SDM Keylong), Ms. Kalyani Tiwana (Assistant Commissioner), Ms. Rashmi Sharma (DSP Keylong), alongside Panchayati Raj representatives and state leaders.
The festival opened with a colourful Shobha Yatra, symbolising tribal unity. It also coincided with the 79th District-Level Independence Day, celebrated with parades by Himachal Police, BRO, Home Guards, and local schools.
Evenings turned into vibrant cultural showcases featuring Da Shugs Band (Ladakh), folk singer Faisal Ashoor, Rosy Sharma, Firdaus Band, and traditional dances like Jabro and Chabskyan. Pageants including Mr. & Ms. Lahaul-Spiti, Tribal Queen, Tribal King, and Grihalakshmi celebrated community pride and empowerment.
Sports from cricket and volleyball to matka fod and tug of war kept the valley buzzing. In a display of grassroots leadership, DC Kiran Bhadana herself joined participants in traditional contests.
Ahead of the festival, the District Administration held community-centric events (Aug 2–13) including yoga sessions, plantation drives, cleanliness campaigns, poetry and painting competitions, and knitting contests, ensuring broad participation across age groups.
Over a dozen departments and organisations showcased government schemes, health services, and local entrepreneurship. The Health Department conducted free check-ups for nearly 200 visitors, while SHGs and Tribes India promoted handicrafts, local produce, and cuisines.
The Tribal Festival 2025 will be remembered as more than a cultural event it was a landmark in heritage preservation, sustainability, and inclusive development. With its strong ecological message and community-driven approach, Lahaul & Spiti has positioned itself as a beacon of cultural and environmental leadership in Himachal Pradesh.
Christmas Must-Try Menus and Festive Events to Explore in Mu...
Mumbai’s festive season dining gets a vibrant lift this Chri...
Delhi–NCR Malls Light Up Christmas with Festive Installation...
In Delhi–NCR, the festive season is in full swing as malls a...
Lodha Group Makes Delhi NCR Debut with MRG Group Partnership
Lodha Group has officially made its debut in the Delhi NCR r...
Ambience Mall Gurugram Elevates Luxury Home Décor with OMA’s...
Ambience Mall Gurugram has elevated its luxury home décor of...
Published on December 25, 2025
Antica Ceramica, a trusted name in India’s premium ceramic industry, has unveiled its latest Kota-inspired wall and floor tile collection, reinterpreting one of the country’s most enduring architectural materials for contemporary spaces. The new range pays tribute to the legacy of Kota stone while addressing the functional and aesthetic demands of modern construction and interior design.
Rooted in the heritage of Kota stone, a natural limestone traditionally quarried in Rajasthan, the collection draws inspiration from a material long valued for its durability, cooling properties, and understated elegance. Widely used in Indian homes, palaces, temples, courtyards, and institutional buildings, Kota stone has been a defining element of India’s built environment for generations. Antica Ceramica brings this legacy forward through advanced ceramic engineering, retaining the look and feel of Kota while overcoming the limitations of natural stone.
The collection is developed in a 600 x 1200 mm large-format size with a thickness of 10 mm, offering versatility across residential, commercial, and hospitality applications. The larger format allows for fewer grout lines, creating a seamless, expansive visual effect that suits modern interiors and open-plan layouts. This format also enables architects and designers to create cohesive design narratives across floors and walls with ease.
Designed for both performance and aesthetics, the tiles are stain-resistant, durable, and suitable for high footfall areas. A carefully engineered non-slip surface enhances safety, making the collection ideal for spaces such as hotels, restaurants, lobbies, corridors, kitchens, and bathrooms. The tiles also offer consistent colour, uniform texture, and dimensional stability, ensuring long-term reliability and easy maintenance compared to natural stone.
In residential settings, the collection adds a calm, earthy character to living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, balconies, and bathrooms. The subtle tonal variations and stone-inspired finish create warmth and authenticity, allowing the surfaces to blend effortlessly with both contemporary and traditional décor styles.
For commercial and hospitality environments including hotels, retail spaces, offices, and public areas the collection strikes a balance between visual refinement and operational practicality. Its durability and slip-resistant properties make it suitable for high-traffic zones, while the timeless Kota-inspired aesthetic ensures lasting relevance.
Speaking on the launch, Rahul Bhugra, Director, Antica Ceramica, said, “Kota stone is deeply embedded in India’s architectural identity. It represents simplicity, resilience, and timeless beauty. With this collection, we wanted to honour that heritage while adapting it to modern lifestyles and construction needs. These tiles bring together the visual depth of traditional Kota with the precision, safety, and performance required in today’s spaces.”
With this launch, Antica Ceramica reinforces its commitment to creating surfaces that are culturally rooted, technically advanced, and design-forward. The Kota-inspired wall and floor tile collection stands as a thoughtful blend of Indian heritage and contemporary innovation, offering architects, designers, and homeowners a versatile solution for modern living and hospitality spaces
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on December 24, 2025
Manglam Group, one of Rajasthan’s leading real estate developers, has formally expanded into the hospitality sector with the launch of The Westin Jaipur Kant Kalwar Resort & Spa, marking its first hospitality project. The opening is a significant milestone for the Group and also represents Marriott International’s 200th property in India, highlighting Jaipur’s growing prominence as a destination for leisure, business travel and large-scale social and corporate events.
The resort has been developed under Manglam Spa and Resorts, the Group’s dedicated hospitality vertical, and forms part of Manglam’s long-term ₹1,000 crore hospitality investment plan. Built with an investment of approximately ₹300 crore, the property serves as the anchor asset for Manglam’s hospitality ambitions, with plans to build a diversified portfolio across super luxury hotels, wellness-focused resorts and serviced hospitality formats.
Located at Kant Kalwar, at the foothills of the Aravalli range, The Westin Jaipur Kant Kalwar Resort & Spa spans nine acres and features 135 rooms along with seven distinct venues for events and gatherings. The resort has been designed with sustainability at its core, blending Balinese-inspired architecture with locally sourced materials, natural textures and ecologically sensitive landscaping. Lush gardens, reflective water elements, a horseshoe-shaped pool and wellness-oriented public spaces come together with subtle references to Jaipur’s royal heritage.
Commenting on the launch, Mr. N K Gupta, Chairman, Manglam Group, said, “Having built a legacy of transforming real estate in Rajasthan through world-class infrastructure and disciplined delivery, stepping into hospitality was a natural progression for Manglam. The Westin Jaipur reflects our commitment to creating assets that elevate the city’s global standing. As Marriott International’s 200th property in India, this launch not only celebrates a milestone for the brand, it also sets the tone for Manglam’s future in hospitality with projects that are premium, service-led and internationally benchmarked.”
Wellbeing forms the core of the guest experience, guided by The Westin brand’s Six Pillars of Well-Being. The resort offers the WestinWORKOUT® Studio, outdoor movement spaces, cycling and jogging tracks, and the Heavenly Spa by Westin, featuring curated therapies and restorative wellness rituals. Dining options range from wellness-forward all-day dining experiences to destination-inspired Indian cuisine and relaxed lounge formats, balancing nourishment with indulgence.
Ms. Amrita Gupta, Director, Manglam Group and CEO, Manglam Spa and Resorts, said, “For us, this opening represents the start of a vision we have nurtured for years. This partnership with The Westin elevates Manglam’s presence at a global level. It brings international hospitality standards, refined wellbeing experiences and world-class design to Jaipur. The Westin Jaipur Kant Kalwar Resort & Spa is just the beginning, and several more premium and super luxury hospitality projects are in the pipeline.”
Service excellence remains central to Manglam’s hospitality strategy, with a strong focus on intuitive planning, operational depth and consistent delivery, supported by sustainability-led practices such as energy efficiency, climate-responsive design and responsible operations.
Beyond The Westin Jaipur Kant Kalwar Resort & Spa, Manglam is developing over 200 serviced apart’otel units under the Fern Habitat brand at Pinkwalk, Jagatpura, strengthening its presence in the serviced-stay segment. Two additional hospitality projects, including a resort-led concept and an urban hotel format, are also in active planning, aimed at addressing both leisure and business travel demand and reinforcing Jaipur’s position as a destination for world-class hospitality experiences.
Oravel Stays Limited, operating under PRISM, has announced the launch of its new ‘Insta Stays’ programme across all OYO properties in India, aimed at catering to the surge in last-minute travel planning as New Year demand gains momentum. The initiative allows travellers to make quick bookings via the OYO app or website by selecting the Insta Stays option available on the home page.
OYO, a value-stay hospitality brand, currently operates over 13,000 hotels across India. Under the new programme, OYO Wizard members receive an additional 5% exclusive discount on Insta Stays bookings. With a membership base of over 18 million users, OYO Wizard continues to be one of India’s largest hotel loyalty programmes, reflecting a growing preference among travellers for trusted brands and value-driven loyalty benefits.
Designed especially for spontaneous travellers, Insta Stays offers a seamless booking experience with instant confirmation, verified properties, and exclusive savings. Rooms under the programme start at INR 999, even during peak travel periods, making it a convenient option for guests planning trips at short notice.
According to OYO’s internal booking data from recent years, last-minute hotel searches typically rise sharply during the year-end holiday season. This demand is largely driven by travel to popular leisure and religious destinations such as Goa, Manali, Jaipur, Rishikesh, Varanasi, Katra, Puri, Ayodhya, Ooty, and Pondicherry.
Commenting on the initiative, Varun Jain, Chief Operating Officer, PRISM Asia, said, “Guests can expect a seamless and hassle-free stay experience, powered by one of the fastest check-in processes in the category. With instant booking confirmation, digitally enabled check-ins and fully verified properties, the programme significantly reduces waiting time at hotels, allowing travellers to check in within minutes and focus on their stay.” He added that the guest-first approach is designed to deliver consistency, comfort, and convenience, especially during peak travel seasons and last-minute bookings.
PRISM expects the Insta Stays programme to play a crucial role during high-demand travel periods by offering greater booking certainty for travellers while enabling hotel partners to maximise occupancy.
About PRISM
PRISM, the parent company of OYO, operates a diverse portfolio of brands serving over 100 million customers across more than 35 countries. Its offerings span short stays, extended living, luxury travel, co-working spaces, celebration venues, and hospitality technology solutions, with a focus on simplifying and enhancing urban living through scalable innovation.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!
Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.
By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Advertise With Us
We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.
A platform dedicated to showcase the skills and creativity of hospitality professionals. Share your articles, videos and other content related to the industry and get recognized for your unique perspective and expertise. By posting your content and gaining likes from your own community, we'll categorize your talents and expose them to the hospitality world. Join our community of passionate hospitality professionals and let your talent shine!.
Already have an account?Login
By clicking you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Subscribe for ₹2,000 and receive our monthly magazine for one year (12 months) from the coming month and save 2 months cost.