18th Hospitality India Annual International Travel Awards to be held at Ashok Hotel Convention Hall New Delhi on 24th of November 2023.
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Team

   DL Kalra
Late Shri DARSHAN LAL KALRA  (DL Kalra)
from Hospitality Industry
Born: May 10, 1938
Died: Feb.01, 2011
In a process-driven world of professionalism and straight-jacketed interactive society, hospitality often remained confined within the boundaries of symbolism.  Darshan Lal Kalra, who spent all his life in hotel industry, was a living example of how discreetly and politely, he broke the cold codes of formality and brought warmth and conviviality to this hospitality industry.
He would even go out of his way to help an industry friend, who had missed his flight to London or find a hotel room for a industry colleague in a busy tourist season.  His life is replete with such instances. And in return, he not only won loads of love but also enjoyed a huge confidence among the fraternity. He took the meaning of hospitality to a new height bringing in humanism and humility to his approach. His passing away on February 1, 2011 is huge loss not only to his family but also to the whole industry. But a person, who was always keen to listen, willing to share and eager to strike a lasting relationship, Mr. Kalra has left behind a wealth of wisdom and experience with his family and friends.

Before tourism became fashionable and increasingly found acceptance in India as a potential avenue for enhancing economic activities and generating jobs, D L Kalra knew before time that it was inevitable to happen. This was evident when, after his retirement, started his publication Hospitality India to promote tourism. He would always say, besides the economic benefits, tourism plays a vital role in creating peace among nations. His idea of tourism was a culmination of several factors over so many years. During 1970s and 80s, when New Delhi had only one sought-after 5-Star destination in Ashok Hotel, which was the hub of all international and high-level national activities, he played a vital role in overseeing the operations of the hotel. He spent 25 years in the Ashok Group of Hotels (ITDC) as Senior General Manager.

He was not only at the centre of things happening internationally from the 5-Star hotel that Jawahar Lal Nehru had built in 1970s, but also a leading part in many high-profiles events like Asian Games, CHOGM and Non-Aligned Movement.  Again, both as a tourist and a professional Mr. Kalra had the opportunity to travel to countries like Great Britain, Holland, Ireland, USA, Mexico, France, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Egypt, Dubai and Singapore etc. Economies of many of these countries thrived on tourism and the benefits were pervasive and transforming. This had brought a new awakening to Mr. Kalra’s understanding that leisure can be a serious business and can lift millions out of unemployment.  His staunch belief in hospitality and tourism industry was strengthened by such exposure to eye-opening experiences.

While Mr. Kalra became a convert and remained wedded to the hospitality industry, his influence had transforming effect on his son, Suneet Kalra. The impact on his Bollywood dreamer son was telling. Suneet, who has acted in several films, gave up chasing his star-status, and found his true calling in tourism. As they say, like father like son, Suneet today breathes and eats tourism like Mr. Kalra did.  Mr. Kalra graduated from Delhi University and did his advanced studies in Business Management from London. As a student he had his initial successes as a best athlete and sportsman of Delhi University and captained Hansraj College Hockey Team during his college days. However, Mr. Kalra’s passing away will always remain an irreparable loss to his grandson Arjun and grand-daughter Gopika. The doting grandfather’s absence in the morning car to the school and stop-overs at restaurants on the way back home from school will be hard for the kids to forget. We all wish his soul remains in peace and give us in inspiration to pursue and spread the virtues he himself lived with pride.

 

 

  Suneet Kalra
Mr. Suneet Kalra is a well known personality in the field of travel trade and tourism industry. Suneet Kalra is the Chief Editor and Managing Director of all the publications published under DLK Publications Pvt Ltd.

A dynamic individual and a gem of a person, words fall short to describe the innate talents of Suneet Kalra. He is graduate in English Literature from Agra University. Suneet Kalra has a bundle of talents, apart from managing the contents of all the magazines. He actively promotes all the publications by also taking care of their public relation activities.
He would even go out of his way to help an industry friend, who had missed his flight to London or find a hotel room for a industry colleague in a busy tourist season.  His life is replete with such instances. And in return, he not only won loads of love but also enjoyed a huge confidence among the fraternity. He took the meaning of hospitality to a new height bringing in humanism and humility to his approach. His passing away on February 1, 2011 is huge loss not only to his family but also to the whole industry. But a person, who was always keen to listen, willing to share and eager to strike a lasting relationship, Mr. Kalra has left behind a wealth of wisdom and experience with his family and friends.
The success of the Hospitality India Awards to a large extent can be credited to the hard work and optimistic nature of Suneet Kalra. It’s a fact that he is a powerhouse of talent. Mr. Kalra is also connected with the bollywood industry as he has keen interest in acting also. He has made guest appearance in many popular Bollywood films like Gaddar, VEER, Ab Tumharae Hawale Watan Sathiyo. He acted with many popular Bollywood actors like Amitabh Bacchan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Sunny Deol and Late Mr. Amrish Puri.  Suneet Kalra joined the group right after completing his studies and from a very young age has taken good care of the publication house very nicely and under his able guidance the group will definitely touch the stars.

The number of three high profile and prestigious magazines of DLK Publications Pvt Ltd. are mentioned below: –
  • HOSPITALITY INDIA: Publication on the business Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry. (Running 21st year of its edition)
  • EXPLORE THE WORLD: An International business and leisure publication on Travel & Tourism Fraternity. (Running 15th year of its edition)
  • INDIA YESTERDAY TODAY & TOMORROW: A Socio-economic, Political & Business Publication. (Running 10th year of its edition)

Mr. Kalra is also the biggest organizer of Hospitality India and Explore the World annual international awards event. These awards are held every year at Ashok Hotel Convention Hall New Delhi. This year would be 8th year of this event which is expected to pull gathering of 900 to 1000 people of the travel trade and tourism fraternity. The gathering includes all the presidents and executive committee members of high profile travel trade association of India such as TAAI-Travel Agents Association of India, IATO-Indian Association of Tours Operators, OTOAI- Outbound Tour Operators Association of India, TAFI-Travel Agents Federation of India, WTTC-World Travel and Tourism Conclave, ADTOI- Adventure Domestic Tourism Association of India, HAI-Hotels Association of India, FHRAI-Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India, HRANI-Hotel and Restaurant Association of India etc.

 

Mrs Rajni Kalra, who has been acknowledge as a YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR by the leading publication house Times of India because of her unbeatable efforts making DLK Publication group as an iconic hospitality Magazine. Her vision of creating a platform for young inspiring women’s motivates her for the inception of EVA India.

A platform where they took their first step towards a more confident future.