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.

image

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!


Ronil Goa Appoints Shruti Shivalkar as Director of Sales

Ronil Goa Appoints Shruti Shivalkar as Director of Sales

By Hariharan U

Published on May 13, 2026

Ronil Goa – a JdV by Hyatt Hotel has announced the appointment of Shruti Shivalkar as Director of Sales, further strengthening the boutique resort’s commercial leadership as it continues to build its market presence in North Goa.

Located on the vibrant Calangute–Baga Road, Ronil Goa reflects the free-spirited and community-led ethos of the JdV by Hyatt brand, offering immersive experiences inspired by Goa’s local culture, sociability, and relaxed lifestyle. Shruti’s appointment comes at a significant stage in the hotel’s growth journey as it continues to expand its positioning within Goa’s competitive hospitality landscape.

With over 15 years of experience across hospitality sales and marketing, Shruti brings extensive expertise from working with leading international hotel brands including Hyatt, Hilton, IHG, and Marriott-affiliated properties. Throughout her career, she has managed key business segments including corporate, MICE, transient, and long-stay markets, building strong industry relationships while driving market visibility and sustainable revenue growth.

Known for her collaborative and people-centric leadership style, Shruti’s approach aligns closely with Ronil Goa’s welcoming and experience-driven brand philosophy. In her new role, she will focus on strengthening commercial strategy, developing partnerships, and driving business growth across key market segments.

Speaking on her appointment, Shruti Shivalkar shared that the individuality and authenticity of the JdV by Hyatt brand drew her to the opportunity. She added that Goa continues to evolve as a dynamic hospitality market and expressed excitement about working with the team to build meaningful partnerships while celebrating the hotel’s distinctive energy and sense of place.

Beyond her professional role, Shruti enjoys travelling, exploring new cultures, listening to music, and reading.

Ronil Goa – a JdV by Hyatt Hotel carries a legacy of more than 35 years and holds the distinction of being the first five-star hotel on the bustling Calangute–Baga stretch. The property features Indo-Portuguese-inspired architecture across 135 rooms with private balconies, alongside multiple dining concepts, wellness facilities, event spaces, and entertainment-led experiences designed around Goa’s vibrant social culture.

As part of Hyatt’s lifestyle hospitality portfolio, JdV by Hyatt continues to focus on creating neighbourhood-inspired hotels that celebrate individuality, local culture, and joyful experiences for guests and communities alike.

For more information, visit Ronil Goa – a JdV by Hyatt Hotel


Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal Appoints Augustine S. as Assistant Director of Human Resources

Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal Appoints Augustine S. as Assistant Director of Human Resources

By Hariharan U

Published on May 13, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal has announced the appointment of Augustine S. as Assistant Director of Human Resources, further strengthening the hotel’s leadership team with an experienced hospitality HR professional.

With over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, Augustine brings expertise across talent management, associate engagement, learning and development, and people-focused leadership. In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s human resources function, focusing on enhancing associate engagement initiatives, strengthening learning and development programs, and supporting operational growth through strategic people practices.

Prior to joining Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, Augustine held key HR positions with several renowned hospitality brands including The Westin Chennai Velachery, Fairfield by Marriott Sriperumbudur, Fairfield by Marriott OMR Chennai, Courtyard by Marriott Chennai, and Asiana Chennai. Throughout his career, he has contributed significantly to talent acquisition, performance management, budgeting, organisational development, and employee engagement initiatives.

Known for his collaborative leadership style and strong people-centric approach, Augustine believes empowered associates play a vital role in delivering exceptional guest experiences. His focus on nurturing talent and creating inclusive work environments has earned him recognition as a dedicated hospitality HR leader.

Augustine holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Annamalai University and a Diploma in Hotel Management & Catering Technology from Jenney's Academy. He is also a certified trainer with extensive experience in coaching, counselling, and associate development.

Commenting on the appointment, Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, said, “We welcome Augustine to the Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal family. His extensive experience in hospitality human resources and his passion for people development align perfectly with our commitment to creating a positive and inspiring workplace culture. We are confident that his leadership will further strengthen associate engagement and contribute significantly to the hotel’s continued success.”

With this appointment, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal continues its focus on building a strong workplace culture while enhancing associate experiences and operational excellence


Le Méridien Gurgaon Appoints Chef Ajay Chauhan as Executive Sous Chef

Le Méridien Gurgaon Appoints Chef Ajay Chauhan as Executive Sous Chef

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 13, 2026

Le Méridien Gurgaon has announced the appointment of Chef Ajay Chauhan as its new Executive Sous Chef, further strengthening the hotel’s culinary leadership team with a professional who brings years of experience across some of the world’s leading luxury hospitality brands.

Chef Ajay Chauhan has built a strong career in the hospitality industry, having worked with globally recognized names such as Marriott International, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Accor Group, and ITC Hotels. Over the years, he has been associated with several luxury properties in India as well as international destinations.

Before joining Le Méridien Gurgaon, Chef Chauhan was serving as Banquet Senior Chef de Cuisine at JW Marriott Hotel Kolkata. He also gained valuable international experience during his tenure as an Indian Expat Chef at Shangri-La Colombo.

His professional journey includes working with renowned hospitality properties such as Shangri-La Bengaluru, Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, Novotel New Delhi Aerocity, JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity, Shangri-La Eros New Delhi, ITC WelcomHotel Dwarka, and ITC Maurya.

Chef Chauhan is known for his expertise in banquet operations, culinary innovation, kitchen leadership, and delivering premium dining experiences. Throughout his career, he has successfully handled food production, team mentoring, quality consistency, and international hygiene standards in luxury hospitality environments.

At Le Méridien Gurgaon, he will be responsible for overseeing culinary operations, banquet production, menu planning, kitchen administration, employee training, and overall quality assurance, while continuing to enhance the guest dining experience at the property.

“I am excited to join Le Méridien Gurgaon and look forward to delivering exceptional culinary experiences while working with a passionate hospitality team.” Chef Ajay Chauhan

With his extensive operational expertise and experience across globally recognized hotel brands, Chef Ajay Chauhan’s appointment further reinforces Le Méridien Gurgaon’s focus on culinary excellence and elevated hospitality experiences.

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.