The first ever Kerala Ratna Award conferred on Capt. C. P. Krishnan Nair.

The House Of Commons, British Parliament, UK was host to the Keraleeyam Award ceremony where Capt. 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 focusses on the promotion and development of Kerala tourism and culture. Its major concerns include "Santhwanam", which helps HIV infected children & "Happy Day" which focuses on the rehabilitation of destitute children. Capt. Nair was honoured in recognition for his sterling contribution to the Kerala society by way of infrastructural facilities in tourism, handloom & information technology.

The award was presented by Shri P.V. Abdul Wahab, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha & Chairman- Keraleeyam. The evening also saw the coming together of many Indian luminaries of U.K., who have done India proud globally.

On receiving the award, an emotional Capt. 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. Every potential of North Kerala must be tapped to make it the Venice of India". On a more personal note, Capt. Nair was overwhelmed to be honoured by his fellow brethren of his home state.

This has been a milestone year of recognition for The Leela. Conde Nast 2007 voted The Leela Palace Bangalore as Worlds No.1 Business Hotel. World Travel Awards (WTA) awarded Capt.Nair its first ever Lifetime Achievement Award, The Leela Bangalore as the leading Business Hotel of India and Leela Goa as Asia's Leading Resort. The Forbes declared The Leela Palace Bangalore as one 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 Kempinski Goa and The Leela Kempinski, Kovalam Beach.

In the next three years the Leela Group is poised to increase its pan India presence in India's emerging markets - The Leela, Kempinski Gurgaon, Delhi NCR (2008); The Leela Palace, Kempinski, Udaipur (2008); The Leela Palace, Kempinski, Chennai (2009); The Leela Palace, Kempinski Hyderabad (2010); The Leela, Kempinski Pune (2010) & The Leela Palace, New Delhi (2010)

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Issued by
Ms. Mithu Basu
Group Head - Corporate Communications
The Leela Palaces-Hotels-Resorts
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