HospitalityNews Congratulates Manu Bhaker for Historic Bronze at Paris 2024 Olympics

HospitalityNews Congratulates Manu Bhaker for Historic Bronze at Paris 2024 Olympics

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 30, 2024

HospitalityNews is thrilled to congratulate Manu Bhaker on her outstanding achievement at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Manu Bhaker made history by winning the bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal.

This victory is India’s fifth Olympic medal in shooting and the first medal in any sport at Paris 2024. Manu Bhaker’s score of 221.7 in the eight-woman final secured her place on the podium. Oh Ye Jin of the Republic of Korea clinched the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 243.2, followed by her compatriot Yeji Kim, who won silver with a score of 241.3.

Manu Bhaker's performance was exceptional. She started the final strongly, scoring 50.4 in the first series and holding her position among the top competitors throughout the event. Despite a few setbacks, she demonstrated resilience and skill, ultimately securing the bronze medal.

Reflecting on her achievement, Manu Bhaker said, "I just put all my effort into staying in the moment until the last second, just not giving up and keep trying harder and harder. You have to hold yourself together, because that’s what all the hard work is for. Although the competition was neck-and-neck and I lost silver by .1, I’m still very grateful to win bronze for my country.”

In the same event at Tokyo 2020, Manu Bhaker was well on course to qualify for the final but a pistol malfunction stole her six precious minutes and she fell just two points short of making the final.

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Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won India’s first Olympic medal in shooting with a silver at Athens 2004 in the men’s double trap. Abhinav Bindra won India’s only gold medal in shooting in the men’s 10m air rifle at Beijing 2008. Gagan Narang (men’s 10m air rifle) and Vijay Kumar (men’s 25m rapid fire pistol) won silver and bronze, respectively, at the London 2012 Games.

On Saturday, Manu Bhaker stormed into the final of the women’s 10m air pistol event after finishing third in the qualifying round. She thus became the first Indian woman to make an Olympic shooting final in 20 years. Hungary’s Veronika Major, who topped the qualifying round, was the first to get eliminated in the final.

Manu Bhaker will also compete in the 10m air pistol mixed team event on Monday and the women’s 25m pistol event, scheduled to start on Friday. She is the only athlete from the 21-member Indian shooting team to participate in multiple individual events.

Earlier in the day, Ramita Jindal and Arjun Babuta qualified for the finals in the women’s 10m air rifle and the men's 10m air rifle events, respectively. The 20-year-old Ramita, who won bronze at the Asian Games last year, shot 631.5 to finish fifth in the qualifying round. The top eight shooters in the men’s and the women’s events qualified for the finals. South Korea’s Hyojin Ban topped the qualification round with the Games’ record of 634.5. Elavenial Valarivan, who finished 10th with a score of 630.7, started well but 103.8 in the sixth series saw her miss out on the qualification by a margin of 0.6 points.

In the men's 10m air rifle shooting event, Arjun Babuta scored 630.1 in the qualification series for seventh place. Sandeep Singh finished 12th with 629.3 points and missed out.

HospitalityNews is immensely proud of Manu Bhaker’s historic achievement and wishes her continued success in her future endeavors. Congratulations, Manu!


Novotel Mumbai International Airport Appoints Deepika Jatwani as Guest Experience Manager

Novotel Mumbai International Airport Appoints Deepika Jatwani as Guest Experience Manager

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 27, 2025

Novotel Mumbai International Airport is pleased to welcome Ms. Deepika Jatwani as its new Guest Experience Manager. In her role, Deepika will spearhead initiatives to elevate guest satisfaction, service excellence, and personalized hospitality, ensuring every visitor enjoys a seamless and memorable stay.

A Seasoned Hospitality Professional

With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Deepika brings a strong foundation in guest experience management and operational excellence. Her expertise in curating personalized experiences and deep understanding of guest expectations make her an invaluable asset to the team.

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Speaking about the appointment, Rachita Sood, General Manager at Novotel Mumbai International Airport, stated:
“We are pleased to welcome Deepika to Novotel Mumbai International Airport. Her dedication to elevating guest engagement and commitment to service excellence will play a pivotal role in enhancing our brand’s hospitality standards.”

A Commitment to Exceptional Hospitality

Deepika’s passion for creating meaningful guest interactions and her innovative approach align perfectly with Novotel Mumbai International Airport’s vision of delivering exceptional service. Her leadership will further strengthen the hotel’s reputation as a preferred destination for both business and leisure travelers.

With Deepika at the helm of guest experience, visitors can look forward to an even more refined, guest-centric hospitality experience at Novotel Mumbai International Airport.


Zibraan Kazi Joins JW Marriott Kolkata as Director of Operations

Zibraan Kazi Joins JW Marriott Kolkata as Director of Operations

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 26, 2025

JW Marriott Kolkata is proud to announce the appointment of Zibraan Kazi as its new Director of Operations. With an impressive career spanning over 15 years, Zibraan brings a deep understanding of luxury hospitality, operational excellence, and guest-centric leadership to his new role.

A Journey of Leadership & Excellence

Prior to joining JW Marriott Kolkata, Zibraan played a pivotal role in leading some of the most prestigious luxury hotels. Most recently, he was associated with Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel, where he successfully drove guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, and team management. His career also includes leadership positions at St. Regis Mumbai and Grand Mercure Bengaluru Gopalan Mall (Accor Group), where he was instrumental in elevating service standards and optimizing operations.

With extensive experience in pre-opening projects, vendor management, and staff development, Zibraan is known for his hands-on approach and strategic vision in luxury hospitality.

Academic & Professional Expertise

Zibraan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from the Dadar Institute of Hotel Management Mumbai (2007) and an MBA in Sales & Marketing from Sikkim Manipal University (2012). His strong educational foundation, combined with years of experience, has equipped him to drive operational excellence and enhance guest experiences.

Setting New Benchmarks at JW Marriott Kolkata

Located in the heart of Kolkata, JW Marriott Kolkata is a symbol of luxury, elegance, and world-class hospitality. The hotel has consistently ranked #1 on TripAdvisor, reflecting its commitment to excellence. Adding to its legacy, 2:Fifty9, its signature bar, has been recognized among India’s Top 100 Bars, offering an unparalleled experience in mixology and hospitality.

In his new role, Zibraan will oversee daily operations, ensuring the highest standards of service and innovation in guest experiences. His expertise will further strengthen JW Marriott Kolkata’s position as a premier luxury destination.

Leadership Perspectives

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Zibraan Kazi shared:
"I am honored to join JW Marriott Kolkata, a hotel that stands as a benchmark of excellence in the industry. I look forward to working with the talented team here to enhance guest experiences and take luxury hospitality to new heights."

Sunil Kumar, General Manager of JW Marriott Kolkata, welcomed Zibraan, stating:
"We are thrilled to have Zibraan Kazi as our new Director of Operations. His wealth of experience, passion for hospitality, and leadership skills align perfectly with our vision. With Zibraan on board, we are confident that JW Marriott Kolkata will continue to redefine luxury experiences in India."

A New Chapter for JW Marriott Kolkata

With Zibraan Kazi at the helm of operations, JW Marriott Kolkata is set to continue its legacy of excellence, innovation, and unparalleled guest satisfaction. The hotel extends a warm welcome to him and looks forward to his leadership in shaping its future.


Hilton Gurugram Baani City Centre Appoints Abishek Chandran as Cluster Director of Marketing & Communications

Hilton Gurugram Baani City Centre Appoints Abishek Chandran as Cluster Director of Marketing & Communications

By Nishang Narayan

Published on March 25, 2025

Hilton Gurugram Baani City Centre has announced the appointment of Abishek Chandran as the Cluster Director of Marketing & Communications. With over 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including a significant tenure at Hilton, Chandran has built a reputation for successfully executing marketing strategies that enhance brand visibility and drive business growth.

Leading Marketing & Communications Across the Cluster

In his new role, Chandran will oversee marketing and communication strategies across the cluster, working closely with the cluster commercial director, general managers, and Hilton brand teams. His responsibilities include developing and executing innovative campaigns, strengthening brand positioning, and fostering relationships with key stakeholders to enhance Hilton Gurugram’s market presence.

This marks Chandran’s second pre-opening experience, adding to his expertise in launching and establishing new properties. His deep understanding of brand management, high-performing campaigns, and guest engagement strategies has played a pivotal role in strengthening Hilton’s market presence and driving revenue growth.

Driving Hilton’s Key Campaigns & Brand Presence

Chandran’s contributions extend beyond the individual property, as he actively collaborates with the Hilton corporate office to conceptualize and implement marketing rollouts across the region. Some of his notable projects include “It’s Ok” and “Wedding Diaries by Hilton”, which have reinforced Hilton’s brand identity and customer engagement.

Leadership Acknowledgment

Welcoming Chandran to his new role, Harkaran Singh, General Manager, Hilton Gurugram Baani City Centre, shared:
"We are thrilled to appoint Abishek Chandran as our Cluster Director of Marketing & Communications. His passion for excellence and deep industry knowledge will be instrumental in driving our marketing initiatives and further strengthening our brand presence in the region."

Expressing his enthusiasm, Abishek Chandran said:
"I am honored to take on this role at Hilton. Hilton’s legacy of innovation and excellence inspires me, and I look forward to collaborating with our talented teams to create impactful campaigns that elevate our brand. Together, we will continue delivering exceptional guest experiences and reinforcing Hilton’s leadership in the hospitality industry."

With Chandran at the helm of marketing and communications, Hilton Gurugram Baani City Centre is poised to enhance its brand visibility and guest engagement, further solidifying its presence in the Indian hospitality landscape.

Congratulations to Abishek Chandran on this new leadership role!

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