INDIA'S BEST AWARDS 2020 VIRTUAL
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COVID HEROES
SONU SOOD
Bollywood actor Sonu Sood emerged as a real hero this year for his contribution to humanity. From offering rooms of his Juhu hotel to frontline workers, to feeding almost 45,000 people daily with his initiative Shakti Annadanam, to arranging inter-state buses and permissions to send migrant workers to their homes during the lockdown, Sood pulled off tasks he had no prior expertise in. A believer of compassion and kindness, he says, “It is our duty, as responsible human beings, to extend a helping hand to those in need.”
MYLAB DISCOVERY SOLUTIONS
When COVID-19 cases first surged in India and importing testing kits was proving to be expensive, Pune-based molecular diagnostics company Mylab Discovery Solutions Pvt Ltd started developing the first indigenous RT-PCR test kits. In July, it became the first Indian company to receive commercial approval from ICMR for its antigen rapid testing kit. Managing director Hasmukh Rawal says they were able to rise to the challenge because they had the resources in place for years and the foresight. mylabdiscoverysolutions.com
BEST STATE-COVID-19 CRISIS MANAGEMENT
KERALA
From reporting the country’s first COVID-19 case to demonstrating an impressive recovery rate, Kerala set an example in early management of the pandemic. Active surveillance, setting up of district control rooms for monitoring, capacity-building of frontline health workers, strong community engagement, and addressing the psychosocial needs of the population are some of the key interventions of the state that are worthy of applause. keralatourism.org
BEST FIVE-STAR FOOD DELIVERY (IN INDIA)
GOURMET COUCH BY ITC HOTELS
Like many other things, dining experiences saw a paradigm shift this year. And ITC Hotels has met this change head-on. Gourmet Couch—the home delivery programme by ITC Hotels—brings some of the signature dishes from the group’s many restaurants to your homes, with the help of delivery partners as well as the brand’s eponymous app. These dishes can also be customised based on the guest’s dietary preferences. itchotels.in
HYATT REGENCY DELHI
Hyatt Regency Delhi was one of the first five-star hotels to start home delivery across the capital, near March-end. In June, the hotel launched a dedicated food ordering platform, Hyatt Regency Delhi Delivers, which offers delicacies from its award-winning restaurants, including La Piazza, The China Kitchen, TK’s Oriental Grill, Cafe, and Sidewalk. With contactless deliveries and online payments, the menu, curated by Executive Chef Ivan Chieregatti, continues to satiate taste buds. hyatt.com
BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY
INDIAN HOTELS COMPANY LIMITED
With a legacy of over 117 years, the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) decided to tackle the COVID-19 crisis with a strategy dominantly backed by technology. IHCL launched its own suite of contactless, technology-driven solutions for every guest touch-point. Named I-Zest, these solutions use QR codes and digital interventions at check-in, dining, invoicing, and more. The brand also introduced touchless HR systems featuring facial recognition technology and thermal sensors for employees. ihcltata.com
BEST FRONTLINE SUPPORT/CSR
RADISSON HOTEL GROUP
Radisson Hotel Group has been committed to the welfare of society ever since its arrival in India in 1998. At the onset of the pandemic, the group activated corporate crisis response teams worldwide with strong processes and dedicated resources. Many of its employees across 96 operating hotels in India came together to support medical professionals, essential service workers, and underprivileged sections with meals, medical equipment, and other supplies (above pic). The extended Radisson Hotel Group family has collectively served meals to around 4.5 million beneficiaries. radissonhotels.com
THE LALIT SURI HOSPITALITY GROUP
The LaLit Suri Hospitality Group rose to the challenges posed by the pandemic in more ways than one. The group supported the Delhi Government’s initiative of feeding the needy by donating over 5,00,000 kilograms of ration (till date) to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB). Under the banner of Keshav Suri Foundation (KSF), the group also supplied ration to the marginalised transgender community through NGOs, and opened its hotels in Delhi and Mumbai as quarantine spaces for front-line warriors. thelalit.com
BEST SAFETY PROTOCOLS
WEASSURE BY ITC HOTELS
ITC Hotels takes the philosophy of Responsible Luxury seriously, and their WeAssure initiative has been a reflection of this. It involves elevated hygiene protocols, state-of-the-art technology, and the use of advanced disinfectants along with re-engineered processes. It has been designed in collaboration with leading certification bodies, medical professionals, and disinfection experts like DNV GL and Savlon. itchotels.in
ALLSAFE BY ACCOR
Accor is the leading augmented hospitality hotel group offering unique experiences in 52 hotels across 23 destinations in India and South Asia. Its ALLSAFE initiative, launched in association with Bureau Veritas, covers enhanced cleaning protocols, food safety measures, staff training, guest contact measures, and medical support for all its guests in a partnership with AXA. The programme covers 16 safety fundamentals, including an ALLSAFE Officer in every hotel and continual training of the teams. all.accor.com
