Rajnish Sharma has joined ITC Hotels as Food & Beverage Manager for the pre-opening of Welcomhotel By ITC Hotels, Mohali Chandigarh.

The new role marks Rajnish Sharma’s second appointment as a Food & Beverage Manager, adding another milestone to his journey in the hospitality industry. His appointment comes as the hotel prepares for its pre-opening phase.

Speaking about the new opportunity, Rajnish Sharma shared that it is a privilege to be associated with a brand known for its excellence, rich legacy and commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences.

The appointment adds to his professional journey while giving him an opportunity to contribute to the opening and operations of the upcoming Welcomhotel By ITC Hotels property in Mohali Chandigarh.

Arun Vasu, President of the Surfing Federation of India (SFI), has been elected as the new President of the Asian Surfing Federation (ASF). The election was held this morning through a vote by ASF's member National Federations and was supervised by the International Surfing Association (ISA).

A lifetime windsurfer and surfer, Vasu has led SFI as President since 2021. During his tenure, India qualified its first surfers for the Asian Games, secured its first medal at an Asian Surfing Championship, hosted its first ASF continental championship and staged the country's first World Surfing League event.

Alongside his work in surfing, Vasu is Chairman and Managing Director of the TT Group and serves as Honorary Consul for Sweden in South India. Vasu succeeds Atsushi Sakai of Japan, who served as ASF President since 2011. During his tenure, the Federation continued to grow while supporting the development of surfing's Olympic pathway across Asia.

Following the election result, Vasu said, “I want to begin by acknowledging Japan's leadership over these many years, and everything built under it. That legacy is real, and this Federation stands on it,” said Arun Vasu following the result. “What comes next is ours to build together. ASF's future has to belong equally to every part of Asia, and both surfing and SUP deserve a real stage. That work starts now.”

Vasu's immediate focus will include the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. He has also outlined plans to expand competitive Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) across the region and strengthen ASF's presence among National Federations that remain underrepresented within the Federation. The election was conducted under the oversight of the International Surfing Association, following ASF's constitution and electoral procedures.

The Surfing Federation of India was recognised by the International Surfing Association (ISA) in 2011 and has been an ASF Member Federation since.

The Serai Resorts, Bandipur has announced the appointment of Siddharth Manjeshwar as its new Resort Manager, further strengthening the leadership team at the award-winning luxury wildlife retreat located on the edge of Bandipur National Park.

Siddharth brings extensive international hospitality experience, having worked across luxury hotels, resorts, and restaurants in India, Thailand, Japan, the UAE, and the Maldives. Over the years, he has held leadership roles with leading hospitality brands including IHCL, Alila Hotels & Resorts, Sterling Holidays, Club Med, and Lily Beach Resort & Spa.

His expertise spans resort operations, food and beverage management, guest experience, and team leadership. Throughout his career, he has built a strong reputation for driving operational excellence, improving guest satisfaction, and leading high-performing teams.

Siddharth holds a Master's degree in Business with a specialisation in Hospitality Management, combining strong business knowledge with hands-on operational experience in the hospitality sector.

Welcoming him to the team, Saibal Sen, Chief Operating Officer, The Serai Resorts, said:

"With Siddharth joining the leadership team, he will play an important role in the next chapter for The Serai Bandipur. His proven track record in luxury hospitality, passion for service excellence, and deep understanding of resort operations align perfectly with our vision of crafting meaningful, destination-led experiences for the unhurried explorer. We are excited to have him on board and look forward to his leadership in further elevating the thoughtful experiences, and authentic connections that define The Serai Resorts."

As Resort Manager, Siddharth will oversee the overall operations of The Serai Resorts, Bandipur, with a focus on delivering seamless guest experiences, strengthening service standards, improving operational efficiency, and developing the resort's team. He will also work closely with the leadership team to further position the property as one of India's leading luxury wildlife destinations.

Sharing his thoughts on the appointment, Siddharth Manjeshwar said:

"I am delighted to join The Serai Resorts, Bandipur, a destination that beautifully blends nature, thoughtful experiences, and gracious hospitality. Having worked across diverse hospitality markets and brands, I look forward to collaborating with the team to create meaningful guest journeys, strengthen our culture of service excellence, and deliver the immersive, destination-led experiences that make every stay at The Serai Resorts truly memorable.”

With Siddharth's appointment, The Serai Resorts, Bandipur continues its focus on delivering authentic, immersive, and guest-centric experiences while strengthening its position in India's luxury wildlife hospitality segment.