A Rendezvous with the Leading Lady Light – Dr Jyotsna Suri

Dr Jyotsna Suri – a lady of grace, grit and gravity is what the members of FLO –Kolkata Chapter witnessed last Friday. Dr Suri is the Chairperson & MD, Bharat Hotels (The Lalit), Chairperson of FICCI Tourism Committee for the last 5 years, Immediate Past President of FICCI and declared among the ‘Top 50 Business Power Women in Asia’ by Forbes Asia (2014). Members were overwhelmed with the eloquence and expertise with which Dr Jyotsna Suri spoke. The talk was moderated by Ms Britta Leick-Milde, GM, Hyatt Regency, Kolkata.

Other dignitaries who attended the session were Mr Atul Dixit, Director, AAAI; Mr G M Kapoor, Director, INTAC; Ms Tara Prakash of Glenburn; Mr Burman, GM, Swissotel; Mr Varun Chabbra, GM, The Oberoi, Kolkata and Ms Britta Leick-Milde.

Chairperson, Ms Anupama Sureka’s welcome address for the guests and members was well researched and she asserted on the importance of tourism for the socio-cultural-economic progress of our country.

Dr Suri’s passion for hoteliering was evident in her every reaction especially when she spoke about her acquisition of The Great Eastern Hotel at Kolkata, its history, its challenges, its resurrection, its rebranding, its success to becoming the ‘jewel in the crown’ of her empire. She briefly discussed about the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the Indian tourism industry and her strategies and future expansion plans.Stressing on her knack for ‘destination development’ which Dr Suri explained as the right thing to do, as consequently the destination attracts tourists. For instance, among others, she has organised polo matches in Dras, a region where 2 Kargil wars were fought but one sport tournament which has become hugely popular now, has added positivity to it.

Her life’s mantra is of ‘never giving up and taking challenges and overcoming them’. Dr Suri is a supporter of several social causes, including the successful educational-vocational program named ‘Disha’. Speaking about her life’s story, members learnt that not only did she confront adversities with courage and with dedication and diligence, she emerged as the ‘Hospitality Honcho’ that she is today and runs the conglomerate with her children. It was also a lesson to learn from her that if the woman in the family is strong, that family can and will gloriously triumph over all odds.

The audience was impressed by the glamourous power presence that the lady has. On being asked how she deals with a lean phase in any of her hotels, to which she answered that the show has to go on and with patience, discliplined work and correct strategy, situations can be made favourable.

The event saw an overwhelming attendance of more than 190 members. A heritage walk of the hotel was specially organized for members, which had many enthusiastic takers. As member’s feedback, we have been told that the program was ‘par excellence’ and ‘inspiring’.