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.


Paisabazaar Launches PB Pass with Collinson, Unlocking 1,800+ Airport Lounges Globally

Paisabazaar Launches PB Pass with Collinson, Unlocking 1,800+ Airport Lounges Globally

By Hariharan U

Published on July 2, 2026

Paisabazaar has announced the launch of PB Pass, a new complimentary airport lounge access benefit developed in partnership with Collinson International, a global leader in airport experiences and loyalty solutions.

The new program provides users access to over 1,800 airport lounges and travel experiences across more than 800 airports worldwide, powered by the LoungeKey network.

PB Pass has been designed to reward customer engagement on the Paisabazaar platform. Users who pay their credit card bills through the Paisabazaar app will get a chance to participate in a monthly “Spin the Wheel” contest, where selected winners receive a complimentary PB Pass.

In addition, the benefit is also extended to new credit card customers. Users who apply for a credit card via Paisabazaar and activate it, followed by their first bill payment through the app, will be eligible to receive a PB Pass as an assured reward.

Each PB Pass allows seamless access to airport lounges or travel experiences through a QR code-based system, eliminating the need for additional memberships or registrations. The network includes lounges such as Travel Club Lounge at Don Mueang International Airport in Thailand, Kyra Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, and Rose Lounge at Vietnam’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Speaking on the launch, Santosh Agarwal, CEO of Paisabazaar, said the initiative aims to deliver value beyond acquisition and enhance customer engagement across the lifecycle. He noted that airport lounge access remains one of the most valued credit card benefits, and PB Pass makes it more accessible and convenient.

Rom Remy, Managing Director for South and Southeast Asia at Collinson International, highlighted growing travel demand in India and the increasing importance of lounge access as a premium travel benefit. He added that the partnership with Paisabazaar will help enhance travel experiences through the LoungeKey global network.

While lounge access is typically restricted by card tiers, spending thresholds, and usage caps, PB Pass introduces an additional simplified access model through a QR-based system and broader network coverage, complementing existing credit card benefits


STAAH Helps Bizzgrow Hotels Expand B2B and B2C Business Channels

STAAH Helps Bizzgrow Hotels Expand B2B and B2C Business Channels

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 2, 2026

STAAH, a global hospi-tech solutions company, has strengthened the online distribution strategy of Bizzgrow Hotels by enabling its properties to connect with new business opportunities across both B2B and B2C segments.

The group's properties, Silvotel in Indore, Hotel Skylon and Hotel Epsilon in Ahmedabad, and The Hotel Bliss in Patna, have successfully integrated STAAH's Channel Manager, helping improve connectivity, increase visibility across booking platforms, expand market reach, and generate higher booking volumes.

The implementation has also helped the hotel group streamline operations while improving productivity and revenue across its portfolio.

Commenting on the partnership, Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD – Bizzgrow Hotels, said, “Before we integrated STAAH’s Channel Manager, we had not tapped into several potential business channels in these cities, which was affecting the revenue across these locations. Now, we’ve gained momentum in productivity for all our hotels and are exploring new opportunities in the market that we never had access to before.”

Designed for hotel groups managing multiple properties, STAAH's Channel Manager allows bookings from online travel agencies (OTAs) and hotel websites to be managed through a single platform. The solution provides real-time updates on room rates, availability, and guest information, helping hotels reduce overbookings while making dynamic pricing easier to manage.

By reducing manual processes, the platform also lowers the chances of human error and improves operational efficiency, allowing hotel teams to focus more on delivering better guest experiences while driving stronger business performance.

Speaking about the collaboration, Shoaib Ali, National Sales Head India, STAAH, said, “For many groups like Bizzgrow Hotels, broadening their customer base and creating new business opportunities in the B2C and B2B segments is one of the most challenging aspects of the business. At STAAH, we invest a lot of time and effort in training our team to offer the most professional onboarding and training services to our clients, handholding them through every aspect of the transition.”

With the successful integration of STAAH's Channel Manager, Bizzgrow Hotels is now better positioned to strengthen its digital presence, improve operational efficiency, and reach a wider customer base across multiple business segments.


FIFA World Cup 2026: Paraguay Stuns Germany as Late-Night Food Orders Rise in India

FIFA World Cup 2026: Paraguay Stuns Germany as Late-Night Food Orders Rise in India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 1, 2026

Paraguay produced one of the biggest upsets in FIFA World Cup 2026 history by defeating four-time champions Germany 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the Round of 32 clash ended 1-1 following 120 minutes of play.

The victory marks Paraguay's biggest-ever World Cup triumph. The South American side, which last reached the quarter-finals in 2010 and had not qualified for the tournament since, booked its place in the Round of 16 with a memorable performance.

Paraguay took the lead late in the first half through a header from Julio Enciso, before Kai Havertz equalised for Germany in the 52nd minute. The match remained level through extra time, forcing a penalty shootout. Jose Canale converted the first sudden-death penalty, while goalkeeper Orlando Gill made two crucial saves to seal Paraguay's historic victory.

In another Round of 32 fixture, Brazil edged past Japan with a 2-1 victory to progress to the next stage. Morocco also booked its place in the Round of 16 after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.

While football fans continue to enjoy thrilling knockout action, the tournament is also influencing late-night food habits in India. With FIFA World Cup matches being played at 12.30 am, 3.30 am and 6.30 am IST, food delivery platforms and restaurant chains have witnessed a rise in overnight orders.

According to data shared by Swiggy Food Marketplace, nearly half of all late-night food orders placed between 11 pm and 3 am during June 11 to June 24 were made between 11 pm and midnight, making it the busiest hour for deliveries on match nights.

Football fans largely preferred comfort food, with pizzas, burgers, fries and beverages topping the order list. The most popular items included Pepper Barbecue Chicken Pizza Mania, Crispy Chicken Burger Peri Peri Meal, Crispy Veg Burger Peri Peri Meal and Garlic Breadsticks.

Among metro cities, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai recorded the highest number of late-night football-related orders, while Surat, Thiruvananthapuram and Patna emerged as the leading cities among India's growing markets.

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