A collection of personal stories from queer team members was at the heart of a book launch in Delhi. Hospitality With A Heart, written by Amrita Tripathi, follows experiences of isolation, bullying and pressure to conform, while asking what it takes to create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. “When we kicked off this project, I expected to hear stories about DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and queer leadership. What I heard instead were often heart-rending stories of isolation, bullying, intense pressure to conform,” Tripathi said. She also spoke about the impact of everyday gestures, saying that being “called the right name and not being made to feel ‘other’ can transform someone’s entire life”. For Keshav Suri, that sense of belonging is at the heart of hospitality. “True inclusion is when you don’t have to leave a part of yourself at the door to be welcomed in,” he said.
Jyotsna Suri
Divya Suri Singh and Keshav Suri
Saurabh Kirpal
The launch opened with a welcome address by Jyotsna Suri, chairperson and managing director, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group. This was followed by a panel discussion with Amrita Tripathi, Rithik Hukku, Shaurya and Shruti on empathy, inclusion and what hospitality means beyond service. The stories in the book come from team members who are now part of She Leads, the Aditya Nanda Scholarship, Project Prahari and Apna Heera, among them LGBTQIA+ persons, acid attack survivors, persons with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals.
Cyril Feuillebois
Shovana Narayan
Rajeev Sethi
The evening also featured a performance by drag artist Hash Brownie
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