Noida International Airport is turning into more than just a travel hub, as it brings together modern infrastructure and India’s cultural depth through large-scale art and design elements.

The airport features significant works by Padma Shri awardee Paresh Maity, blending artistic expression with a strong sense of regional identity drawn from Uttar Pradesh’s heritage. The design language of the terminal reflects Western UP traditions, including red granite inspired by historic monuments, steps that echo the ghats of Varanasi, and open courtyard-style spaces influenced by traditional havelis.

Passenger experience has been kept at the centre of the design. The terminal includes calm courtyard zones after security, high ceilings for an open feel, and carefully placed art installations. Natural lighting and clear navigation systems add to a smooth and stress-free travel flow.

A key highlight is Maity’s installation titled “Mystic Abode”, made up of more than 8,000 brass bells. The artwork is designed as a reflective space, encouraging travellers to pause and experience calm amid busy modern life. The sound and symbolism of bells are used to create a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere, similar to traditional Indian homes and temples.

Alongside this is his large oil-on-canvas work “Awakening (Jagriti)”, spread across six panels. The artwork presents a visual journey across India’s spiritual and cultural landmarks connected through sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Saryu, and Saraswati.

Each panel highlights a different landmark and its cultural meaning from the spiritual ghats of Varanasi, the teachings of Buddha at Sarnath, the beauty of the Taj Mahal in Agra, the devotional landscapes of Mathura and Vrindavan, the sacred city of Ayodhya, to the energy of the Mahakumbh gathering. The artwork is unified by the theme of sunrise, symbolising both a new beginning and inner awakening.

Paresh Maity, known for his nearly five-decade-long career, has exhibited widely in India and abroad. His works are part of major collections including the Rashtrapati Bhavan, British Museum, and National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. He is also recognised for creating one of the world’s longest airport murals at Delhi’s international terminal.

Through this integration of art and architecture, Noida International Airport aims to offer travellers not just movement, but a culturally rich and reflective experience.

Espire Hospitality Limited has announced the appointment of Sumit Kumar as National Sales Director – East, reinforcing the company’s commercial leadership as it continues to expand its presence across India through its brands ZANA Boutique Luxury and Country Inn Hotels & Resorts.

With close to two decades of experience in hospitality sales and operations, Sumit Kumar brings a balanced expertise in guest-centric service delivery and revenue-driven strategy. His leadership style is known for its strong market engagement and hands-on approach across business segments.

Prior to joining Espire Hospitality, he served as Associate Director of Sales at Royal Orchid Group of Hotels, where he managed key eastern and northern markets including Patna, Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, and Lucknow. In this role, he played a key part in strengthening PAN India sales performance and expanding MICE business opportunities.

Throughout his career, Sumit has worked with leading hospitality brands including Royal Orchid Hotels, Lemon Tree Hotels, Clarks Inn, Radisson Hotel Group, The LaLiT, and The Grand New Delhi, gaining extensive exposure across corporate, travel trade, and MICE segments.

In his new role, he will focus on strengthening Espire Hospitality’s presence across East India, driving regional sales growth, and expanding corporate and MICE business segments. He will also work on enhancing market outreach while aligning commercial strategies with the company’s broader expansion plans.

Commenting on the appointment, Akhil Arora, CEO & MD, Espire Hospitality Limited, said that Sumit’s combination of operational understanding and sales expertise will add strong value to the company’s commercial team as it continues to scale its footprint across India.

The appointment comes at a time when Espire Hospitality is pursuing an aggressive expansion strategy, with plans to open 30 new hotels and resorts by FY27 across its portfolio.

As Loya Mumbai marks a year of culinary storytelling, the restaurant continues its journey of exploring lesser-known dishes from the northern heartlands of India through its anniversary menu.

At the centre of this celebration is Akotri, a traditional Himachali breakfast dish reinterpreted as a dessert, reflecting Loya’s signature approach of blending heritage with contemporary presentation.

Originally a humble buckwheat pancake from Himachal Pradesh, Akotri is reimagined at Loya using ingredients such as buckwheat, coconut milk, jaggery, rabdi, and saffron. The result is a dessert that balances earthy depth with soft sweetness, offering a comforting yet refined finish to the dining experience.

The dish remains rooted in simplicity while introducing layered textures and subtle richness, paying tribute to the culinary traditions passed down through generations in the Himalayan region.

As part of its anniversary menu, Loya continues to spotlight regional Indian flavours that are often underrepresented, presenting them through a modern fine-dining perspective while preserving their cultural identity.

The Akotri dessert reflects the restaurant’s larger philosophy, bringing forgotten or lesser-known recipes into contemporary relevance without losing their essence. At Loya, each dish is designed not just as a preparation, but as a narrative rooted in place, memory, and tradition.