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.


Aditya Birla Housing Finance Expands Delhi Presence with Shahdara Branch

Aditya Birla Housing Finance Expands Delhi Presence with Shahdara Branch

By Hariharan U

Published on June 30, 2026

Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited (ABHFL), a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited, has expanded its presence in New Delhi with the launch of a new branch in Shahdara. With this addition, the company now operates four branches in the capital, strengthening its distribution network in one of India’s key housing finance markets.

Shahdara, a well-connected and steadily developing residential locality, continues to witness consistent housing demand supported by strong metro and rail connectivity and proximity to key commercial hubs across Delhi and the NCR region. ABHFL’s new branch aims to improve accessibility to tailored housing finance solutions for homebuyers in the area.

The company offers a wide range of housing finance products including affordable housing loans, prime housing loans, construction finance, and loans against property. These services cater to salaried individuals, self-employed professionals, and emerging income groups, supported by a digital-first onboarding system that enables faster approvals and improved transparency.

To mark the launch, ABHFL has introduced a limited-period offer featuring zero login fees along with spot loan sanctions of up to ₹50 lakh. The offer is valid from June 24 to June 30, 2026, and is designed to encourage quicker and more affordable access to home financing.

Speaking on the expansion, Pankaj Gadgil, MD & CEO of Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited, said that New Delhi remains a key growth market for the company. He added that ABHFL is focused on deepening customer engagement by combining its expanding physical presence with strong digital capabilities to simplify the home loan journey.

The expansion aligns with ABHFL’s broader strategy of strengthening its retail lending portfolio while promoting financial inclusion and delivering a smoother, customer-centric “Happy Home Loan Journey” for borrowers across India.


Ginger Strengthens Presence with New Hotels in Siwan and Agra

Ginger Strengthens Presence with New Hotels in Siwan and Agra

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 30, 2026

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company, has expanded the footprint of its Ginger brand with the opening of Ginger Siwan, Chapra Road in Bihar and Ginger Agra Fatehabad Road in Agra.

Commenting on the expansion, Ms. Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President – Hotel Openings & New Businesses, IHCL, said, "With the launch of Ginger hotels in Siwan and Agra, Ginger continues to strengthen its presence across India’s commercial and cultural cities. Siwan is rapidly emerging as a center for trade and commerce in Bihar, while Agra remains one of the country’s most iconic tourist destinations with strong demand from both domestic. The openings of Ginger Siwan and Ginger Agra reflect our strategy to expand in high-potential markets."

Located on Fatehabad Road, Ginger Agra Fatehabad Road features 70 keys, offering modern amenities and cityscape views. Guests can dine at Qmin, Ginger's signature in-house restaurant, which serves a selection of Indian, Mughlai and international cuisine. The hotel also includes a bar, providing a space for guests to relax and socialise.

In Bihar, Ginger Siwan, Chapra Road offers 30 keys designed for convenience, comfort and hassle-free stays. The hotel also features Qmin, the brand's all-day dining restaurant, serving a mix of local favourites and international dishes.

Both Ginger Siwan and Ginger Agra Fatehabad Road are equipped with banquet halls and meeting venues, making them suitable for corporate events as well as social gatherings.


Eight Continents Expands India Presence with Hanric Launch in Varkala

Eight Continents Expands India Presence with Hanric Launch in Varkala

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 30, 2026

Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts, the UK-based luxury hospitality and hotel management group, has announced the launch of Hanric, Varkala, further expanding the Hanric by Eight Continents brand in India. The new property marks another step in the group's strategy to strengthen its presence across high-potential travel destinations while growing its experiential hospitality portfolio in the country.

Located in the heart of Varkala, the hotel has been designed to reflect the destination's unique coastal charm while offering guests a contemporary and comfortable stay. Known for its scenic cliffside views, beautiful beaches, vibrant local culture and rising popularity as a wellness destination, Varkala continues to attract travellers looking for a mix of relaxation, exploration and authentic experiences.

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Hanric, Varkala features 32 well-appointed rooms, along with a restaurant, bar and banquet facilities, making it suitable for leisure stays, intimate celebrations and social gatherings. Blending modern comforts with warm hospitality, the property offers guests an ideal base to explore Kerala's picturesque coastline.

Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts will manage the property by drawing on its expertise in delivering personalised guest experiences, operational excellence and destination-led hospitality. The company aims to establish Hanric, Varkala as a preferred stay option for visitors to the region.

Commenting on the launch, Ms. Richa Adhia, Managing Director, Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts, said, "The launch of Hanric, Varkala marks an important milestone in the growth of the Hanric by Eight Continents brand. Varkala's growing popularity as a coastal getaway makes it a natural fit for our vision of creating distinctive hospitality experiences rooted in place and culture. Through this property, we aim to offer travellers an authentic connection to the destination while further strengthening our presence in India's growing experiential hospitality landscape."

The launch reflects the group's continued focus on expanding in destinations with strong tourism potential and increasing demand for experience-led travel. Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts currently operates a diverse portfolio of brands, including Treetop, Hanric, Stamps, Ocho Homes and Signature Collection, across India, the United Kingdom and East Africa. Its growing presence includes destinations such as Belfast, Guernsey, Zanzibar, Kasauli, Udaipur, Sariska, Jodhpur, Pushkar and Varkala, highlighting the group's commitment to building a design-led hospitality portfolio across emerging and established travel markets.

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