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!


Magical Blends Rolls Out Easy Monsoon Skincare with Personalised Plant-Based Serums

Magical Blends Rolls Out Easy Monsoon Skincare with Personalised Plant-Based Serums

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 9, 2025

Magical Blends has unveiled a simple, effective skincare routine tailored for the monsoon season, powered by their unique patented personalised skincare system. This innovative range features six active plant-based serums clinically researched to address common skin concerns. Designed to be blended with a choice of cream or gel base, these serums promise a quick, hassle-free skincare ritual that fits easily into daily life.

For the monsoons, Magical Blends recommends a targeted combination to keep skin healthy and radiant despite the humidity. Their Niacinamide-enriched Glow Boosting Serum works wonders on dull skin with blemishes, helping to brighten the complexion, even out texture, prevent breakouts, and maintain a robust skin barrier.

The Sun Defence SPF 50 PA++++ Serum stands out as India's first oil-in-serum sunscreen, offering strong UVA & UVB protection without leaving a white cast. It’s also designed to shield against blue light from digital screens—ideal for daily AM use, rain or shine.

To keep acne at bay, the Tea Tree Oil and Salicylic Acid infused Pore Refining Serum is recommended for controlling sebum and refining pores. This versatile serum can be used across the face or as a spot treatment, fitting into both AM and PM routines based on skin type.

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Meanwhile, the Vit C Brightening Serum is best used at night, working through the PM hours to fade pigmentation, stimulate collagen, and deliver a clearer, firmer, more youthful look by morning. Using it at night helps maximise its brightening benefits without concerns of sunlight-led oxidation.

Magical Blends’ monsoon skincare regime is straightforward: mix a pea-sized amount of your chosen base (cream or gel) with 3-4 drops each of the Sun Defence and Glow Boosting serums for the morning. At night, blend the base with 3-4 drops each of the Vit C Brightening and Pore Refining serums. Those with very oily or acne-prone skin can use the Pore Refining Serum in both routines. Apply evenly to face and neck for best results.

All products are dermatologically tested and free from sulphates, phthalates, mineral oil, artificial fragrances, and colours. They are cruelty-free and formulated with clean, plant-based actives.

Currently available at a special monsoon price of INR 1,056 for a set of four serums (three-week packs), the collection can be purchased online at https://magicalblends.in/collections/monsoon-essentials

So while the weather may be gloomy, your skin doesn’t have to be. Brighten up with Magical Blends’ monsoon essentials and step out with confidence this season!


Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts Appoints Shishir Kumar Jena as CFO to Drive Growth

Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts Appoints Shishir Kumar Jena as CFO to Drive Growth

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 9, 2025

Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Shishir Kumar Jena as Chief Financial Officer, a strategic move that underscores the boutique hospitality group’s ambitious growth plans across India.

Bringing over 32 years of deep-rooted experience in the hospitality sector, Shishir Kumar Jena is a seasoned finance leader known for his expertise in financial strategy, operational efficiency, and sustainable value creation. His career spans notable stints with respected hospitality brands such as Acron, Radisson, and Fortune Inn Exotica, where he consistently combined rigorous financial discipline with a commitment to guest satisfaction and operational excellence.

Jena’s extensive exposure to diverse ownership structures and property formats equips him with a rare ability to navigate complex financial environments with strategic precision. This background positions him perfectly to support Stone Wood’s expansion goals and evolving operational needs. For Jena, finance is not merely a profession—it’s a passion that drives his mission to build robust, profitable hospitality ventures.

His portfolio of expertise covers financial modelling, budget management, revenue optimization, and strategic planning across various segments of the hospitality landscape. This versatility will be pivotal as Stone Wood rolls out its diversified growth strategy across different markets and property types.

“We are delighted to welcome Shishir Kumar Jena to our leadership team at this pivotal moment in our company’s journey,” said Shikhar Kumar, Managing Director, Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts. “His extensive financial expertise and deep understanding of the hospitality industry make him the ideal candidate to guide our financial strategy as we embark on this exciting expansion phase. Shishir’s proven track record in driving operational efficiency and value creation will be instrumental in supporting our vision to redefine boutique hospitality across India.”

For more details, visit https://www.stonewoodresorts.com/.


Crowne Plaza Greater Noida Bolsters Leadership with Two Key Appointments

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida Bolsters Leadership with Two Key Appointments

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 8, 2025

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida is proud to announce the addition of two seasoned hospitality professionals to its leadership team. Abhishek Sharma joins as the new Front Office Manager, while Simmy Chaudhary steps in as the Executive Housekeeper. Together, they bring over two decades of rich experience and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional guest service.

Abhishek Sharma – Front Office Manager

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With over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, Abhishek Sharma brings deep expertise and operational insight from some of the most respected hotel brands, including Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Taj, Accor, and Radisson. Prior to joining Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, he held senior positions such as Front Office Manager at Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre and Park Plaza Chandigarh-Zirakpur, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing guest experience and streamlining front office operations.

His strategic thinking, team leadership, and guest-centric approach are well aligned with the Crowne Plaza brand values.

Simmy Chaudhary – Executive Housekeeper

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Joining the team as Executive Housekeeper, Simmy Chaudhary brings 13 years of extensive experience in the housekeeping and guest service domain. Before this role, Simmy served as the Assistant Executive Housekeeper at St. Regis Mumbai, and has held key housekeeping roles across renowned hotels such as Taj Palace Delhi, The Park, Eros Nehru Place, Radisson Blu Kaushambhi, Best Western, and Claridges Nabha Mussoorie, among others. She has also worked at notable properties across India including Radisson Blu Udaipur, Royal Retreat Resort Udaipur, Hyatt Regency Ludhiana, and Trident Agra.

Simmy specializes in strategic planning, operational excellence, cleanliness standards, and enhancing guest comfort. Known for her hands-on approach and attention to detail, she is committed to maintaining the highest levels of hygiene and quality across the property.

Welcoming the new leaders, Sharad K Upadhyay, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, shared: “The backbone of any successful hotel is its people, and we are truly fortunate to welcome Abhishek Sharma and Simmy Chaudhary to our team. Their wealth of experience, passion for service, and commitment to excellence perfectly align with our mission to deliver outstanding hospitality. I am confident that their leadership will further elevate our standards and guest satisfaction.”

These strategic appointments mark a significant step forward in Crowne Plaza Greater Noida’s journey to provide world-class hospitality. The entire team looks forward to the leadership and contributions of both Abhishek Sharma and Simmy Chaudhary as they embark on this new chapter.

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