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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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By Hariharan U
Published on November 19, 2025
Thrillophilia has released its Women & Travel Decisions 2025 report, and the findings point to a strong shift inside Indian homes. Women are now at the centre of India’s leisure travel decisions, quietly driving 72% of trip planning across the country. The study is based on 212,000 itineraries and 8.9 million planning signals, showing how women are choosing destinations, curating experiences, handling budgets, and shaping how the entire family travels.
The report highlights that women prefer to plan early, compare more carefully, and double-check before confirming anything. On average, they book nine days earlier than men, which helps keep prices steady, prevent last-minute changes, and brings cancellations down by 18%. They also spend more time reading reviews, checking photos, and sharing itineraries within family and friend groups to make sure every detail is right. Still, even though women lead the planning, 62% of payments on women-planned couple trips are made by men.
Thrillophilia’s data also shows a clear theme in women’s choices: a smart luxury approach. This doesn’t mean flashy spending, but thoughtful indulgence, boutique stays, spa sessions, wellness walks, and slow mornings. Women add 28% more premium upgrades to their carts, yet their total spending stays only 6% higher than men’s. It’s not overspending; it’s making sharper choices.
Safety remains a major focus. Women apply more than three times the number of safety filters, resulting in fewer travel emergencies and a 23% drop in SOS calls. Their deeper research directly leads to smoother trips.
Chitra Gurnani Daga, Co-founder, Thrillophilia, said, "Indian leisure is increasingly a She-Planner economy. Women are curating smarter itineraries, earlier bookings, safety-first choices, and meaningful upgrades without blowing the budget. As women continue to lead India's travel decisions, the industry is shifting toward more thoughtful planning, better value choices, and deeply curated experiences."
For domestic trips, women prefer easy-paced and high-value destinations such as Rajasthan and Kerala, with Goa following closely. Internationally, they lean towards places that mix value and comfort Bali, Dubai-Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Women travelling with kids and families tend to favour slow mornings, one main activity for the day, and early dinners. This planning style leads to 7% fewer reschedules, keeping trips smoother and more predictable.
Tier 2 India is showing the strongest rise in women planners. Cities like Indore, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and Jaipur are rapidly emerging, with Indore alone growing 31% YoY. With this rise, the She-Planner trend is set to shape not just travel choices but a growing ecosystem built around women-led planning.
About ThrillophiliaThrillophilia is India’s leading AI-powered platform for discovering and personalizing multi-day trips. With over 100M+ users and 300,000+ travellers a year, it helps couples and families discover and book trips through verified local partners across 1,000+ locations. Based in Jaipur and operating in the UAE and the U.S., Thrillophilia combines technology, trusted supply, and human support to offer the right trip at the right price.
India’s largest hospitality company has announced the signing of a new Ginger hotel in Dimapur, Nagaland. This greenfield project marks IHCL’s debut in the state, further strengthening its presence in Northeast India.
“Dimapur plays a pivotal role as an economic and cultural centre in Nagaland. With increasing travel demand and infrastructure development in the region, this signing aligns with our strategy to expand our presence in the Northeast. We are delighted to partner with T.K. Enterprises for this project,” said Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL.
Located near Dimapur Airport, the 90-key Ginger Dimapur will reflect the brand’s lean luxe philosophy, offering a balance of comfort and functionality. Guests will have access to city views and thoughtfully designed spaces suited for both work and relaxation. The hotel will feature Ginger’s signature all-day diner, Qmin, serving global and local favourites. It will also include a bar, a fully-equipped fitness centre and flexible meeting spaces designed for business and social gatherings.
“We are happy to partner with IHCL to bring the Ginger brand to Dimapur. We look forward to Ginger Dimapur contributing to the region’s growth with quality hospitality experiences,” said Mr. T.K. Angami of T.K. Enterprises.
Dimapur, the largest city in Nagaland, has a diverse economic base spanning trade, manufacturing, services and transportation. With this addition, IHCL’s portfolio in Northeast India will include 19 hotels, with 10 currently under development.
About the Owning Company
M/s T.K. Enterprises, promoted by Mr. T.K. Angami, is a diversified business group with investments across retail, automobile dealerships and multiple real estate assets in Dimapur.
Published on November 18, 2025
IndiGoReach, the CSR arm of IndiGo, and InterGlobe Foundation, the philanthropic arm of InterGlobe Enterprises, jointly hosted an engaging ‘My City My Heritage’ walk in Puducherry. The theme, “Through the French and Tamil Quarters, A Tale of Two Towns,” gave participants a chance to explore the city’s unique blend of French elegance and Tamil vibrancy.
The walk began at the well-known Notre-Dame-des-Anges Church and took participants through historic churches, temples, and lively marketplaces. The experience offered a close look at Puducherry’s cultural depth, architectural mix, and everyday life that reflects the spirit of both communities.
The session was led by Ashok Panda, Heritage Coordinator and Project Manager at INTACH Pondicherry, who has over 15 years of experience in heritage conservation and urban restoration. He was joined by Puviarasan, Founder of Outdoor Being, a conservationist and experiential educator, and recipient of the Jane Goodall Templeton Prize for India, 2024. Together, they shared stories that brought Puducherry’s past and present to life.
‘My City My Heritage’ is an ongoing initiative by InterGlobe Foundation in collaboration with Sahapedia, focused on spreading awareness about India’s cultural and historical richness. Through meaningful partnerships, the campaign encourages people to reconnect with the traditions, architecture, and stories that define their regions. Under this initiative, IndiGoReach and InterGlobe Foundation have already conducted heritage walks in nine cities, Prayagraj, Bhubaneswar, Shillong, Nashik, Hyderabad, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Ahmedabad, each offering an immersive cultural experience.
Sharing her thoughts on the Puducherry walk, Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson, InterGlobe Foundation, said, "Our 'My City My Heritage' walk in Puducherry offered a unique opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in the city's distinct blend of French and Tamil cultures. By exploring its historic quarters, we aimed to foster a deeper appreciation for Puducherry's rich, layered heritage and promote responsible tourism that celebrates its architectural diversity and vibrant local life."
Both organisations have been actively supporting heritage conservation across India. InterGlobe Foundation has contributed to major projects, including the conservation and cultural revival of Abdur Rahim Khan-I-Khanan’s mausoleum in Delhi, cultural mapping of ten cities, restoration of the ‘Indra Kund’ stepwell in Delwara, the tile restoration of Qutb Shah’s Mausoleum, and Heritage Fellowships. IndiGoReach has also supported initiatives such as the conservation of Qutb Shah’s Mausoleum at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park in Hyderabad and the restoration of interiors at the Lal Bagh Palace in Indore.
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