Country Inn Hotels & Resorts, the flagship brand of Espire Hospitality Limited, has announced the opening of Country Inn, Jalandhar, further strengthening its presence in Punjab. The new property brings together contemporary design and warm hospitality, offering a comfortable stay for both business and leisure travellers visiting the city.

Located on the Grand Trunk Road, the hotel provides easy access to Jalandhar’s key commercial centres and shopping areas. Its convenient location makes it an ideal choice for travellers visiting the city for work, social events, or to explore local attractions.

Country Inn, Jalandhar features 48 well-appointed rooms designed with modern interiors and essential amenities that ensure a relaxing and comfortable stay. The rooms are thoughtfully planned to provide both convenience and a welcoming atmosphere for guests.

The hotel also houses a multi-cuisine restaurant where guests can enjoy a variety of dishes in a warm and inviting setting. Whether it is a breakfast meeting, a casual meal, or a relaxed evening with family or friends, the restaurant offers a comfortable space to enjoy different flavours throughout the day.

For events and gatherings, the property features a 5,000 square feet pillarless ballroom. Designed with refined interiors and warm lighting, the venue provides a flexible setting for social celebrations, weddings, and corporate meetings.

In the coming months, the hotel will also introduce additional facilities including a Spa, Fitness Centre, and a Kitty Party Hall. These additions are expected to offer guests more options for relaxation, wellness, and social gatherings.

Speaking about the launch, Akhil Arora, chief executive officer and managing director of Espire Hospitality Limited, said, “We are delighted to launch another Country Inn hotel in Punjab, further strengthening our presence in the region. Known as a thriving hub of manufacturing for various industries and its vibrant culture, Jalandhar attracts a steady influx of travellers throughout the year, both for business and leisure, and with this hotel we aim to offer them an elevated stay, complemented by Country Inn brand’s renowned heartfelt hospitality. The hotel reflects our continued commitment to delivering high quality hospitality experiences in key urban destinations.”

With the opening of Country Inn, Jalandhar, Espire Hospitality Limited continues to expand its growing hospitality portfolio across India.

There are cricket matches, and then there is a World Cup Final. India versus New Zealand, one trophy, one night, and every single delivery carrying the weight of a billion hopes. If you're in Bengaluru and you haven't figured out where you're watching this, here are five venues that are ready to make this night unforgettable.

Gladia Brewery & Kitchen - Sarjapur

If you want your match night to feel like an event, Gladia in Sarjapur is the place. The brewery's Roman-inspired interiors, dramatic stone aesthetics, grand brewing tanks, and an atmosphere that already feels larger than life make it the perfect colosseum for a World Cup Final. Massive screens, roaring sound, craft brews flowing freely, and indulgent platters that could feed a small army. Whether you're going full battle cry or just soaking in the electric energy with your crew, this one promises a screening that's genuinely hard to forget.

• Location: Gladia, Sarjapur, Bengaluru

Chin Lung - Multiple Locations

Sometimes you just want your neighbourhood spot — familiar, buzzing, and full of people who love cricket as much as you do. Chin Lung, with outlets across Indiranagar, Koramangala, Residency Road, Marathahalli, New Bel Road, and Gandhi Nagar, delivers exactly that. Big screens, pitchers on repeat, flavour-packed bar bites, and a crowd that applauds every run. It's easy, fun, and exactly the kind of match-night vibe that doesn't need to try too hard.

• Location: Multiple outlets across Bengaluru

Oasis Microbrewery - Whitefield

For those who want the match-night energy without giving up on a great dining experience, Oasis in Whitefield is a strong pick. The brewery brings together Mediterranean, Pan-Asian, and Modern Indian cuisine alongside signature craft brews — so whether you're in the mood for sushi or something more robust, there's something on the menu for you. Vibrant screenings, a diverse crowd, and a setting that feels elevated without being stiff. Great for corporate groups and friend circles alike.

• Location: Oasis, Whitefield, Bengaluru

Sector 144 - JP Nagar

Sector 144 takes its live sports seriously. Multiple high-definition screens cover every corner of the venue, so there's genuinely no bad seat in the house. Every delivery, every boundary, and every wicket comes through with crystal clarity. Add to that a well-curated à la carte food and beverage menu, a crowd that lives for these moments, and an atmosphere that builds with every over, and you've got a match night that hits as hard as the game itself.

• Location: Sector 144, JP Nagar, Bengaluru
• Date: 8th March

Maize & Malt - Whitefield

Maize & Malt has built a solid reputation as one of Bengaluru's go-to spots for live sports  and the T20 Final is exactly the kind of occasion the venue was made for. Multiple HD screens, signature brews, bold food, and a community of sports fans who know how to make a match feel like a celebration. Whether it ends in champagne moments or nail-biting heartbreak, the crowd here will make sure you feel every second of it.

• Location: Maize & Malt, Bengaluru
• Date: 8th March

Pick your spot, wear your colours, and get there early. Nights like this don't come around often and Bengaluru clearly knows how to show up for them.

There's a quote that Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar, General Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, lives by and it shapes everything she says about leadership:

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path  and leave a trail for others to follow."

It's not just a motivational line. For her, it's personal.

Kadambari's journey to becoming a General Manager wasn't just about hard work and performance, it was also about someone, at some point, choosing to believe in her and opening a door. That experience is what drives her belief that leadership isn't just about the seat you occupy. It's about how many seats you create for others.

"Leadership is not simply about occupying a seat at the table, it is about expanding the table so more voices are represented and more women have the opportunity to lead, influence and redefine what leadership looks like."

India's hospitality sector has made real progress when it comes to women entering and growing within the workforce. Higher literacy levels, rising career ambitions, and more visible role models have all played a part. More women are now exploring diverse roles across functions and leadership tracks, than ever before. But progress and arrival at the top are two very different things. Structural challenges still slow down the pace at which women reach senior leadership. It's not always about performance, it's also about access. Access to sponsorship, to strategic assignments, to the right networks, and to leaders who actively advocate for emerging talent. These things still remain unevenly distributed.

The good news is that organisations are waking up to the real business case for gender diversity. Diverse leadership teams make better, more balanced decisions. They build workplaces where people feel genuinely heard and that has a direct impact on innovation, resilience, and long-term growth. Even in a hospitality market that's expanding fast while watching costs carefully, diversity and inclusion remain firmly on the agenda. The conversation has also matured, it's no longer just about representation in numbers. It's about meaningful inclusion, building leadership pipelines, and making sure different perspectives are part of key business decisions from the start.

When it comes to what practically moves the needle, Kadambari is clear. Cross-functional exposure, leadership training, and rotational assignments build the commercial and operational experience women need to step into senior roles with confidence. Structured mentorship and shadowing programmes help with the softer but equally important side, building confidence and navigating career transitions. But the most powerful combination, in her experience, is mentorship paired with sponsorship.

"Mentorship offers guidance, perspective, and support, while sponsorship actively advocates for talent, creating visibility and opening doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach. When both work together, they create a powerful pathway for leadership growth."

It's a distinction worth paying attention to. Mentors help you grow. Sponsors help you get seen. Both matter, but together, they're transformative.

For women just starting out or navigating their way up, Kadambari's advice is simple -  don't wait for a defined path. Create one. And when you do, make sure you're leaving enough markers behind for the women who come after you. Women's Day, she says, is a good moment to pause, reflect on these journeys, celebrate the leaders who mentor and advocate, and recommit to building spaces where talent, regardless of gender, gets a genuine shot at the top.