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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 January 28, 2026
As hotels continue to adopt digital tools to improve efficiency and service delivery, the need for durable and reliable devices has become increasingly important. Addressing this operational challenge, Palaniappa Electronics is presenting Samsung’s Rugged XCover smartphones and Rugged Tab Active 5 as purpose-built mobility solutions designed specifically for demanding hotel environments.
Behind the refined guest experience lies a high-pressure operational ecosystem. From busy hotel kitchens and fast-paced housekeeping departments to engineering teams working in harsh conditions and security staff operating round the clock, standard consumer devices often struggle to survive. Samsung’s rugged devices are engineered to perform consistently in such environments, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
In hotel kitchens, where heat, steam, oil and spills are common, the Samsung Rugged XCover offers heat resistance along with dustproof and waterproof protection. The device can be operated even with oily or greasy fingers, while its glove-touch mode allows chefs and kitchen staff to access recipes, inventory systems and internal communication tools without removing safety gloves.
Housekeeping teams benefit from the rugged design that withstands water splashes, cleaning chemicals and accidental drops. This allows staff to update room status, manage linen tracking and raise service requests on the move, reducing downtime and improving turnaround efficiency during peak occupancy periods.
For engineering and maintenance teams, the military-grade durability of the Rugged XCover and Tab Active 5 ensures dependable performance in challenging locations such as boiler rooms, rooftops and service areas. The devices support digital maintenance checklists, fault reporting and asset tracking, helping hotels maintain operational consistency and preventive maintenance schedules.
Security teams, who require reliable devices throughout the day and night, benefit from loud audio output, strong connectivity and durable build quality. These features support patrol coordination, incident reporting and internal communication across large hotel properties.
A key feature of Samsung’s rugged devices is the Push-to-Talk (PTT) functionality, which allows the devices to operate like walkie-talkies using internet connectivity. With a single press, teams across departments can communicate instantly, even when devices are locked or idle. This reduces dependence on traditional walkie-talkies and improves real-time coordination across hotel operations.
In addition, the devices support advanced barcode and QR code scanning, enabling hotels to manage inventory, track linen and uniforms, tag engineering assets and conduct audits without the need for additional scanning equipment.
Designed for long-term use, Samsung Rugged XCover and Tab Active 5 come with removable batteries, extended battery and device warranties, and drop-resistant construction. This results in lower replacement costs, reduced device downtime and improved return on investment for hotel owners and operators.
Palaniappa Electronics, known for its strong presence in hospitality-focused electronics, brings these rugged mobility solutions to hotels of all sizes. With a long-standing focus on quality, customer trust and dependable service, the company continues to support hotels with technology that enhances operational efficiency while standing up to real-world usage.
With hotel operations becoming increasingly digital and fast-paced, rugged devices backed by trusted implementation partners like Palaniappa Electronics are emerging as a practical solution for modern hospitality environments.
For more details, contact Palaniappa Electronics | Mr. Muthu at 9003045685 or muthu@palaniappagroup.com.
By Hariharan U
Kowori Group, a new premium entrant in the NCR real estate market, formally announced its brand launch at an industry event held at The Leela Ambience, Gurugram. The launch marked the group’s official introduction to the region, with the presence of real estate stakeholders, corporate leaders, and media representatives.
At the event, Kowori Group also revealed plans to enter South Delhi with its first ultra-luxury residential project in Greater Kailash–I. Envisioned as a boutique development, the upcoming project will feature limited inventory, refined architectural design, and a strong focus on privacy and comfort, catering to homebuyers seeking exclusivity and understated luxury.
Bollywood actress Malaika Arora attended the launch as the Guest of Honour and shared her perspective on evolving definitions of luxury living. “Luxury today is defined by thoughtfulness and purpose. Homes that prioritise intelligent design, quality execution and everyday comfort create a far more meaningful living experience. Kowori Group’s vision reflects this shift, focusing on refined design and lifestyle-led development rather than surface-level grandeur,” she said.
Commenting on the brand’s philosophy, Rikhupriya, Co-Founder, Kowori Group, said the group aims to bring together design excellence and liveability. “At Kowori Group, our objective is to create homes where design excellence and living comfort come together seamlessly. We believe that true luxury is thoughtful, understated and enduring, not superficial. Guided by this philosophy, our first ultra-luxury builder floor project in South Delhi is envisioned to set a new benchmark for refined urban living,” she said.
Founded with the intent of redefining luxury housing in NCR, Kowori Group is driven by the belief that design and livability are inseparable in a truly premium home. The group emphasises functionality, intelligent planning, and long-term value over trend-driven or generic luxury formats.
This approach will be reflected in Kowori Group’s debut South Delhi project, which aims to offer an ultra-luxury builder floor experience centred on comfort, functionality, and serene living. With its entry into the market, Kowori Group is positioning itself as a design-led real estate brand focused on creating high-quality, boutique homes for discerning urban buyers.
Published on January 27, 2026
The Himachal Pradesh government has issued a statewide advisory following an active western disturbance that is likely to cause heavy snowfall and rainfall across the state between January 26 and 28, officials said. All district administrations have been placed on alert to manage possible disruptions and ensure public safety during the period.
According to a bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the weather system is expected to bring a prolonged wet spell, with isolated spells of heavy snowfall in higher reaches and rainfall in lower and adjoining areas. The conditions may impact road connectivity, power supply and essential services across several districts.
Quoting the advisory issued by the Revenue Department, the state government has directed all District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) to activate District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) for round-the-clock monitoring and coordination. District administrations have been asked to review and update contingency and evacuation plans, particularly in snow-bound, flood-prone and low-lying urban areas.
The government has stressed the importance of timely dissemination of public warnings and travel advisories to ensure the safety of commuters and tourists. "All departments have been instructed to remain on high alert and ensure preparedness to deal with any eventuality arising due to heavy snowfall or rainfall," the HP government said in the advisory.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has been instructed to pre-position snow clearance machinery, including JCBs and snow cutters, at strategic locations to minimise road blockages and restore connectivity at the earliest. Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) have also been directed to remain ready for immediate restoration of roads and critical infrastructure.
The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) has been asked to keep emergency teams on standby for quick restoration of power supply and to ensure adequate backup for essential services. The Jal Shakti Vibhag has been directed to maintain uninterrupted water and sanitation services, especially in high-risk and snow-bound regions.
Meanwhile, the Police and Tourism Departments have been instructed to regulate traffic on vulnerable routes and issue travel advisories to prevent tourists from entering high-risk zones. Coordination with transport authorities has also been emphasised to ensure commuter safety.
The state government has further directed all departments to maintain close coordination with the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) and submit daily situation reports during the period of the weather disturbance. Snow clearance and road restoration works are currently underway in Shimla and other parts of the state.
Due to snowfall in the upper reaches of Shimla, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba and Kinnaur districts, more than 600 roads have been blocked, causing difficulties for both locals and visitors. Efforts are ongoing to restore connectivity at the earliest.
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