HRAWI Celebrated Platinum Jubilee at 20th Regional Convention, Honours Hospitality Pioneers

HRAWI Celebrated Platinum Jubilee at 20th Regional Convention, Honours Hospitality Pioneers

By Hariharan U

Published on October 22, 2025

The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI commemorated its Platinum Jubilee with a landmark awards ceremony at its 20th Regional Convention, celebrating 75 years of leadership and service to the hospitality industry.

The evening was graced by actor Boman Irani, who felicitated all past presidents of HRAWI for their enduring contributions. Dr Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Dr Ajit B Kerkar, President of Honour, and Vivek Nair, Member of Honour, recognising their exceptional contributions to Indian hospitality. As Dr Kerkar was unable to attend, Jimmy Shaw, President of HRAWI, accepted the award on his behalf.

Seventy-five years is a remarkable journey. Each of these leaders has carried forward the legacy of Indian hospitality, setting benchmarks of excellence and resilience. It is a privilege to celebrate their contributions to the industry and to the Association,” said Boman Irani, reflecting on his early career as a waiter at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai.

Dr Shashi Tharoor, delivering the keynote address, lauded HRAWI’s legacy and emphasised the wider role of hospitality in national development. Describing tourism and hospitality as “mirrors of a nation’s soul,” he highlighted the need to advance India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision through three pillars: Image, Infrastructure, and Immigration.

“This evening isn’t just about honouring the leaders and pioneers who have shaped our Association; it’s about celebrating seventy-five years of an industry that has built careers, created opportunities, and welcomed the world with open arms,” said Jimmy Shaw.

Founded under the leadership of the late JRD Tata, HRAWI has grown into one of India’s most influential voices for the hospitality sector. The Platinum Jubilee ceremony honoured stalwarts including the late AP Sabavala, Rustom Masani, DRD Tata, Maneck S Shaw, and many others who have contributed to shaping Western India’s hotel and restaurant landscape.

Over the decades, HRAWI has played a defining role in policy advocacy, skill development, sustainability initiatives, and industry growth, serving stakeholders across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, and the Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. The Platinum Jubilee celebration not only paid tribute to its illustrious past but also reaffirmed HRAWI’s commitment to shaping the future of Indian hospitality.

If you want, I can also draft a shorter version optimized for social media or a press release snippet to highlight the awards and key personalities from the event.


Narwar Lakefront Resort Launches Summer Refresh Package for Couples

Narwar Lakefront Resort Launches Summer Refresh Package for Couples

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 2, 2026

Narwar Lakefront Resort, a luxury lakeside retreat in Shivpuri on the Sindh River in Madhya Pradesh, has introduced its ‘Summer Refresh Package’, offering a short yet refreshing escape for couples during the warmer months.

Designed as a 3-hour evening experience, the package runs daily between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm. It brings together relaxation, wellness, and scenic moments, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a quick summer break without planning an overnight stay. Set against the calm lakefront and close to the Madhav Tiger Reserve, the experience combines both leisure and nature.

Navneet Sharma, CEO and MD, Lion Group, said, "With rising temperatures, the need for mindful cooling escapes grows stronger. Therefore, we have created an experience for guests to slow down, recharge, and reconnect with nature in the most refreshing and cool way".

The package includes access to the resort’s swimming pool, giving guests a chance to unwind with a refreshing dip during the afternoon. The experience is complemented by cold mocktails, fresh salads, and a selection of light and healthy snacks, keeping the overall offering simple yet enjoyable.

A key highlight of the package is the Morning Safari to the Madhav Tiger Reserve and a sunset cruise boating session. Guests can take in the changing colours of the evening sky while gliding across the calm waters, creating a memorable and peaceful end to the experience.

The Summer Refresh Package reflects the rising demand for short, premium experiences that offer a mix of comfort, wellness, and scenic beauty in a limited time.


The Forum Hotel & Convention Opens in Ahmedabad, Elevating Gujarat’s Hospitality Scene

The Forum Hotel & Convention Opens in Ahmedabad, Elevating Gujarat’s Hospitality Scene

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 2, 2026

The Forum Hotel & Convention has officially opened its doors in Ahmedabad, bringing a new scale of hospitality to the city. Launched on 29th April 2026, the property features 195 well-designed rooms and suites, and is seamlessly connected to the adjoining Wyndham Ahmedabad Shela, which adds another 192 upscale rooms along with wellness, dining, and leisure facilities. Together, the combined 387 rooms and suites strengthen Gujarat’s growing capacity to host large weddings, exhibitions, and corporate gatherings.

Spread across approximately 12,00,000 sq ft, the property is built to accommodate up to 5,000 guests, making it one of the state’s larger event-focused hospitality developments. Supporting this scale is a parking facility for around 1,500 vehicles, offering ease for high-footfall events in a fast-growing city like Ahmedabad.

The property brings together strong infrastructure and service to create a complete hospitality destination. Its event spaces include over 32 modern banquet venues, highlighted by a grand pillarless ballroom spanning 40,000 sq. ft. Along with this, conference rooms, meeting spaces, and a well-equipped auditorium with advanced acoustics make it suitable for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) activities. The ability to host multiple events at the same time adds to its operational strength.

Adding to the overall experience, The Forum Hotel & Convention introduces a range of dining and entertainment concepts. These include Aurii – a premium all-day dining restaurant serving global cuisines, +33 – The French Experience offering a unique culinary concept, and Risqué – a nightclub designed for vibrant nightlife. A fourth culinary concept is also set to open soon.

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Speaking on the launch, Managing Director Mr. Kalpesh Prajapati said: “At The Forum Hotel & Convention, our vision was to build a destination that reflects the ambition and growth of Gujarat. This is not just about infrastructure or scale, it is about creating a place where people come together to celebrate, connect, and create memories. We invite everyone to come, experience, and make memories at The Forum, where every moment is designed to become a meaningful experience.”

With its scale, integrated design, and strong event infrastructure, The Forum Hotel & Convention is set to play an important role in shaping Gujarat’s hospitality landscape.


CaratLane Celebrates Mother’s Day with a Thoughtful Gifting Twist Featuring Yami Gautam Dhar

CaratLane Celebrates Mother’s Day with a Thoughtful Gifting Twist Featuring Yami Gautam Dhar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 1, 2026

CaratLane – A TATA Product is making a strong presence across television screens in India with its latest Mother’s Day campaign featuring brand ambassador Yami Gautam Dhar. The campaign brings a fresh and emotional take on gifting, centred around the idea of celebrating mothers with diamonds as a symbol of love and gratitude, while also adding a thoughtful twist, gifting yourself a diamond too, because you are her favourite.

The campaign’s first two films gained wide visibility during the ongoing Indian Premier League, with placements across Star Sports and JioHotstar. This was further supported by regional reach through channels like Colours Tamil, Jalsha Movies and Star Utsav Movies, helping the brand connect with audiences across both national and regional markets. Released just in time for Mother’s Day, the campaign highlights the joy of choosing something special for mothers, along with a little something for oneself.

Shaifali Gautam, CMO CaratLane, remarked, “As we return for our second season advertising on the Indian Premier League, the platform allows us to take our stories to millions of households across the country. This Mother’s Day, with Yami at the centre, we’ve focused on celebrating the emotion of gifting in a way that feels both personal and relatable. Because when it comes to a mother’s love, what you share is priceless and the pieces you choose to express it should feel just as special. At CaratLane, we believe that expressing love should feel effortless, and never out of reach.”

Built around thoughtful gifting, the campaign encourages customers to celebrate Mother’s Day with meaningful diamond jewellery. With initiatives like this, CaratLane continues to shape fine jewellery for today’s consumers, making it more personal, easy to wear, and suitable for every special moment.

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