Padma Awards 2025: Honoring Icons of Indian Hospitality

Padma Awards 2025: Honoring Icons of Indian Hospitality

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.

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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 worksVetrikku 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.


Radisson Hotel Group Strengthens Europe Leadership, Eyes 2026 Growth

Radisson Hotel Group Strengthens Europe Leadership, Eyes 2026 Growth

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 26, 2026

Radisson Hotel Group wrapped up 2025 on a strong note with more than 272 hotel signings and openings, further strengthening its position as an owner-focused hospitality group. The performance reflects steady growth across regions and segments, setting a solid base as the group moves into 2026.

In Europe, the group continued to lead the upper-upscale category, with Radisson Blu maintaining its position as the largest brand in this segment, present in 154 cities. The brand also held its ground in the resort space, with Radisson Blu resorts spread across 27 destinations, showing consistent demand for leisure-led travel across the continent.

The year also saw the group entering key partnerships that added to its portfolio. This includes The Medlock, a Radisson Blu Hotel at Manchester City football club’s Etihad Stadium, along with collaborations on projects like “The Butler” with the MIMCO Group and Radisson Hotel Cannes Seaside with Byron Gestion. At the same time, existing relationships remained strong, with a majority of owners continuing to invest, and 65% of them operating more than one hotel with the group.

Sustainability remained a clear focus area. Radisson Hotel Group introduced two Verified Net Zero Hotels, Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre and Radisson RED Oslo City Centre. These developments highlight the group’s push towards responsible growth while also offering long-term value for owners through environmentally conscious operations.

Commenting on the growth, Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, said, "We are grateful for the trust of our owners in our brands and our people. We create more opportunities and possibilities for our investors and guests across continents and segments, from midscale to lifestyle, luxury to resorts, and eventually crossing into alternative segments. The momentum that we achieved over the last years, alongside the competence and grit of our leadership teams, will secure more growth, resilience and opportunities in 2026 and beyond.”

On the global front, China emerged as a key growth driver, with 170 hotels signed and opened during the year, taking the pipeline close to 300 properties. Much of this growth was led by the mid- to upper mid-scale segments, especially through the expansion of Country Inn & Suites by Radisson.

India also stood out as one of the most active markets for the group. Crossing the milestone of 200 hotels in operation and under development, the country continues to play a key role in Radisson’s long-term plans, supported by strong domestic travel demand and investor confidence.

Across EMEA, the group recorded around 70 signings and openings, focusing on markets such as Southern Europe, the UK, France, Germany, and Poland. Key additions included projects in Paris, Bucharest, Egypt, Germany, and Barcelona, reflecting a balanced expansion strategy across both established and emerging destinations.

Leisure-focused growth remained a major highlight, with the group’s resort portfolio crossing 160 properties worldwide. New additions such as Atiara Ubud Bali, a Radisson Collection Resort, Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Çeşme, and Radisson Collection The National Hotel in Brussels underline the rising demand for resort and urban-resort experiences.

With strong performance across regions, a focus on sustainability, and steady expansion in key markets like India and China, Radisson Hotel Group is well-positioned to carry its momentum forward into 2026.


IHCL Wins Jamnalal Bajaj Award for Fair Business Practices

IHCL Wins Jamnalal Bajaj Award for Fair Business Practices

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 26, 2026

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has received the 38th Jamnalal Bajaj Award 2025–2026 for Fair Business Practices in the Service Enterprises-Large category. The recognition highlights the company’s consistent efforts in maintaining ethical standards and responsible business conduct.

Sharing his thoughts on the achievement, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, IHCL, said, “At IHCL, governance and ethics are fundamental to how we conduct our business and create long-term value. Guided by our ESG+ framework of Paathya, we have institutionalised transparent, accountable and fair practices across the organization and the Jamnalal Bajaj Award is a recognition of this legacy.”

The award reflects IHCL’s long-standing commitment to strong governance practices, driven by its ESG+ framework, Paathya. Through this approach, the company has built a system that focuses on transparency, accountability, and fairness across all its operations and stakeholder interactions.

The Jamnalal Bajaj Awards are presented by the Council for Fair Business Practices (CFBP), an organisation established in 1966 by noted industry leaders such as Mr. J.R.D. Tata, Mr. Ramkrishna Bajaj, Mr. Ashok Birla, Mr. Arvind Mafatlal, Mr. S. P. Godrej, Mr. Harish Mahindra, Mr. Naval Tata and others. The council works towards building trust between businesses and consumers by promoting responsible and ethical practices.

Introduced in 1989, the awards are evaluated based on key parameters including customer satisfaction, employee motivation, environmental responsibility, and corporate social responsibility. IHCL’s recognition this year underlines its balanced focus on business growth along with ethical and sustainable practices.


Kaapi Solutions Launches New Coffee Machines, Expands ‘Assembled in India’ Initiative

Kaapi Solutions Launches New Coffee Machines, Expands ‘Assembled in India’ Initiative

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 25, 2026

Kaapi Solutions has announced the launch of its new range of professional coffee machines, along with the expansion of its “Assembled in India” initiative. The move highlights the company’s focus on supporting the growing demand for quality coffee solutions across India.

The newly introduced machine portfolio includes MIRA from the House of CIME, Coffee Master 200 and CW01 from Dr Coffee, JL-37 from Jetinno, and My Espressino from the house of Kaapi Solutions. The range features espresso machines, automatic coffee machines, high performance blenders, and smart brewing systems designed for cafés, hotels, restaurants, and corporate offices.

Built with a focus on consistency, durability, and ease of use, these machines aim to help businesses scale their coffee operations with reliable and efficient equipment.

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“Our focus is to bring the best coffee machines for cafés and hospitality businesses while ensuring strong service support across India,” said Vikram Khurana, CEO at Kaapi Solutions. “This launch strengthens our position as a trusted partner for coffee machine solutions, barista training, and café consulting.”

As part of this expansion, Kaapi Solutions is also strengthening its “Assembled in India” initiative. Under this, select espresso machines and commercial coffee equipment will be assembled locally, helping improve after-sales service, faster installation, and easier maintenance. It also ensures better availability of spare parts and technical support.

By combining global technology with local assembly, the company aims to offer cost-effective solutions, reduce downtime, and meet the needs of India’s fast-growing coffee market.

Along with equipment, Kaapi Solutions also offers barista training programs, SCA-certified coffee training, and complete café setup consulting, supporting businesses in building and growing their coffee operations.

With this launch and initiative, Kaapi Solutions continues to strengthen its role in shaping India’s coffee ecosystem through a mix of equipment, training, and service support.

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