Indian captain wins Kerala Ratna Award

The House Of Commons, UK was recently host to the Keraleeyam Award ceremony where Captain C P Krishnan Nair, chairman, The Leela group, was awarded the first-ever Kerala Ratna Award. The Global Kerala Initiative - Keraleeyam is a premium non-government organisation that focuses on the promotion and development of Kerala tourism and culture. Its major concerns include "Santhwanam", which helps HIV infected children and "Happy Day" which focuses on the rehabilitation of destitute children.

Accordingly, Captain Nair was honoured in recognition of his sterling contribution to the Kerala society, by way of infrastructure facilities in tourism, handloom and information technology. P V Abdul Wahab, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and chairman - Keraleeyam, presented the award. The evening also saw the coming together of many Indian luminaries from the UK, who have done India proud globally.

On receiving the award, an emotional Captain Nair said "I dedicate the rest of my life to the development of tourism in Kerala. It is my dream to see Kannur have an international airport and its many canals that flow within, connected. Potential in all areas of North Kerala must be tapped, in order to make it the Venice of India".

This has been a milestone year of recognition for The Leela. Conde Nast 2007 voted The Leela Palace, Bangalore as the World’s No 1 Business Hotel. Subsequently, at the World Travel Awards (WTA), Captain Nair was awarded the ceremony's first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award, while The Leela, Bangalore and Leela, Goa won in the categories of The Leading Business Hotel of India and Asia's Leading Resort, respectively. The Forbes also declared The Leela Palace Bangalore amongst the 10 best wedding destinations in the world. The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts has established global leadership in the luxury hospitality industry by offering hotels with elegant facilities in premier locations across India. Its bouquet of award winning hotels comprise The Leela Kempinski, Mumbai, The Leela Palace Kempinski, Bangalore, The Leela, Goa and The Leela Kempinski, Kovalam Beach.