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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on January 28, 2025
As India celebrated its 76th Republic Day, the nation honored the recipients of the prestigious Padma Awards, recognizing their outstanding contributions across various fields. Among this year’s awardees are individuals who have left an indelible mark on the Indian hospitality and cultural sectors.
Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetti
Textile industrialist and philanthropist Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetti has been awarded the Padma Bhushan in the trade and industry category. Previously a Padma Shri awardee in 2003, Chetti’s contributions have been pivotal in elevating Indian silk to a global stage.
Taking over Nalli Silks in 1958, Chetti expanded the legacy established by his grandfather, Nalli Chinnasami Chetty, who famously wove a silk shawl for King George V in 1911. Starting with its first showroom in Chennai in 1928, Nalli Silks has grown to include outlets across India and internationally in the US, Singapore, and Canada. Over the years, its clientele has included dignitaries such as Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and legendary Carnatic singer MS Subbulakshmi.
Beyond textiles, He is a patron of Carnatic music in Chennai, supporting venues and Margazhi music festivals. His efforts ensure these festivals remain vibrant celebrations of Chennai’s cultural essence which shapes hospitality sector in the region. Additionally, his Tamil literary works — Vetrikku Moondre Padigal, Needhi Noolgalil Nirvagam, and Thyagaraya Nagar Andrum Indrum — reflect his diverse contributions to society.
Chef Damu
Chef Damodharan Kothandaraman, widely recognized as Chef Damu, has received the Padma Shri, marking him as the third chef in history to achieve this honor after Chef Imtiaz Qureshi and Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. His illustrious career spans 45 years, beginning at Taj Mumbai, and includes numerous accomplishments that have shaped India’s culinary arts.
Chef Damu, a Ph.D. holder in catering science from Madras University, is celebrated for his engaging cookery shows in Tamil and his role as a mentor in hotel management institutes. He is the President of the South India Chef’s Association (SICA) and has organized workshops and events to nurture budding chefs.
Known for his Guinness World Record for the longest single-person cooking marathon, where he prepared 617 dishes over 24 hours and 30 minutes in 2010, Damu’s name is synonymous with culinary excellence. His books and television appearances have made him a beloved figure in households across South India.
Prashanth Prakash
Entrepreneur and venture capitalist Prashanth Prakash has been awarded the Padma Shri for his transformative contributions to India’s startup ecosystem. As a founding partner of Accel India, Prakash has been instrumental in the success of iconic startups like Flipkart, Swiggy, BookMyShow, Freshworks, and Urban Company.
His efforts have not only revolutionized online food delivery with Swiggy but also empowered communities through initiatives such as ACT Grants and Sikshana Foundation. Prakash’s commitment to sustainability and innovation underscores the recognition of startups as a vital force in nation-building.
RG Chandramohan
RG Chandramogan, a pioneering entrepreneur in India’s dairy industry, has been awarded the Padma Shri for his significant contributions to trade and industry. From modest beginnings to steering one of India’s largest private dairy companies, Chandramogan’s journey is nothing short of inspirational.
Starting as a college dropout in 1970, Chandramogan launched a small-scale ice cream venture, which laid the foundation for Hatsun Agro Product. Today, under his leadership, Hatsun Agro stands as a titan in the dairy sector, with its products reaching millions of households across the country.
Hatsun sources milk directly from over 450,000 farmers spread across 12,000 villages, ensuring quality while supporting the rural economy. Its brands, including Arun Ice Cream, Arokya Milk, and Hatsun Curd, have become household names in India. Arun Ice Cream, in particular, enjoys immense popularity for its wide range of flavors and quality offerings, cementing its place as one of India’s favorite ice cream brands.
Beyond business, Chandramogan is known for his philanthropic endeavors, supporting various initiatives aimed at rural development and community welfare. His vision has not only elevated India’s dairy industry but also positively impacted the lives of thousands of farmers and their families.
RG Chandramogan’s recognition with the Padma Shri highlights his role as a trailblazer in the dairy sector, blending business excellence with a commitment to societal upliftment. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and giving back to the community.
These exemplary individuals highlight the diverse contributions to India’s cultural, culinary, and economic fabric, setting benchmarks for future generations. The Padma Awards celebrate their enduring legacies and the significant impact they continue to make on society.
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Published on December 5, 2025
IndiGo, one of India’s biggest passenger airlines, is facing major operational disruptions across the country, leading to the cancellation of more than 500 flights. The sudden interruptions have created long queues and crowding at several major airports, with passengers waiting for updates on their flight status.
This marks the fourth consecutive day of disruptions. Delhi airport has been affected the most, with all IndiGo flights cancelled until 3 pm. In Chennai, passengers continued to wait as the airport released an advisory listing the cancelled flights and requested travellers to check with their respective airlines for further updates.
The airline has attributed the crisis to several factors, including minor technical glitches, winter schedule adjustments, adverse weather, and updated crew rostering rules. However, IndiGo has not yet clarified how it plans to return to full operational strength.
The impact has been widespread across other cities as well. Bengaluru airport saw at least 102 cancellations on Friday morning, including 52 arrivals and multiple departures. Hyderabad airport also reported 92 cancellations, adding to the nationwide disruption.
A quick resolution may not be expected immediately, as IndiGo has informed the DGCA that complete restoration of services will take place only by February 10. Issuing a second apology in two days, the airline said, “We extend a heartfelt apology to all our customers and industry stakeholders who have been impacted by these events.”
Passengers scheduled to travel today are strongly advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
By Hariharan U
The festive season has officially arrived in Noida with a spectacular new attraction. DLF Mall of India has unveiled India’s first-ever 33-foot Longines Christmas Tree, a grand installation that has instantly become the most visited and photographed spot in the mall.
Placed at the heart of the atrium, the glowing installation has filled the space with warmth, colour and festive charm. Ever since its reveal, families, children, and young visitors have been gathering around the tree to take photos and videos, making it one of the most widely shared festive highlights on social media this year. The Longines Christmas Tree is already being celebrated as Noida’s newest ‘Christmas Photo Point’.
The installation will stay open throughout Christmas and New Year, ensuring visitors can enjoy the festive vibe all season long. The mall is also hosting multiple engagement activities including BTS videos, user-generated content drives, and fun interactions to keep the celebrations lively and inclusive.
Sharing his thoughts on the overwhelming response, Shibli Khan, Vice President & Cluster Head, DLF Mall of India, said, “Christmas naturally brings people closer, and we wanted to create something that truly reflects that spirit. The Longines Christmas Tree has given our visitors a festive, welcoming space to enjoy the season. The response has been heartwarming, and it's wonderful to see how much joy this installation has brought to the community.”
As part of this special collaboration, Longines and DLF Mall of India have curated an elevated festive experience that blends luxury, design, and seasonal charm. The installation showcases Longines’ timeless elegance while reinforcing the mall’s reputation for partnering with premium global brands to create memorable festive celebrations.
With its glowing design and immersive festive setting, the Longines Christmas Tree has quickly emerged as the highlight of Noida’s holiday season—drawing large footfalls and becoming the go-to spot for capturing festive memories.
India celebrates a proud sporting milestone as Ashish Limaye, trained and supported by Embassy International Riding School (EIRS), clinches the country’s first-ever individual gold in eventing at the Asian Equestrian Championships. Riding his trusted partner Willy Be Dun, Limaye topped the table with an impressive score of 29.4, marking one of the biggest achievements for Indian equestrian sport in decades.
This historic win makes him the first Indian rider to secure an individual continental gold since 1982, a moment that has brought tremendous pride to the equestrian community.
Adding to the glory, Team India, featuring Ashish Limaye, Shashank Kanumuri, and Shashank Kataria—secured the silver medal with a combined score of 121.8, finishing just behind Thailand.
Speaking after his emotional win, Ashish shared, “It has been a long journey, but today it all seems worth it. Especially after the last Asian Games when I was leading and had a blank moment – it felt like I let everyone down. Today, this feels like a redemption. I am glad that Jitu Virwani, the Embassy Group, and Silva Storai of Embassy International Riding School still believed in me and my efforts. It takes a village to get here, and it's not just my effort... My family, my trainers – Carola Bierlein and Jerome Robine – and everyone that was a part of it directly or indirectly got us this medal... and on top of the list is my horse WILLY BE DUN!”
Embassy International Riding School (EIRS), under the leadership of Jitu Virwani, Chairman, Embassy Group, has played a pivotal role in Ashish’s journey. The school has consistently invested in world-class training, international exposure, and all-round rider development.
Silva Storai, Director at EIRS, highlighted his dedication and the team effort behind the win, appreciating the discipline and grit that brought this historic moment to India.
Ashish Limaye’s victory stands as a major inspiration for young riders across the country and reinforces India’s growing presence in global equestrian sport.
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