The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group celebrates inclusion and belonging through Hospitality with a Heart’s inspiring stories
The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group today launched Hospitality with a Heart, a book of personal stories from its queer team members, at the Crystal Ballroom, The LaLiT New Delhi. The book is written by Amrita Tripathi, with an introduction by Keshav Suri, Executive Director of The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group.
The book follows people who have lived on the fringes, challenged the labels placed on them, and found their way to pride and belonging. It also records how the Group’s approach to inclusion took shape: a question of whether hiring from a marginalised community was enough, or whether the systems around them also had to change. That question led to revised policies and processes, gender-affirming healthcare support, Employee Resource Groups and wider programmes for queer team members.
The launch opened with a welcome address by Dr Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director. Journalist Faye D’Souza then moderated a panel with Amrita Tripathi, Rithik Hukku, Shaurya and Shruti on empathy, inclusion and what hospitality means beyond service.
Speaking on the book, Amrita Tripathi, author of Hospitality with a Heart, said, “When we kicked off this project, I expected to hear stories about DEI and queer leadership. What I heard instead were often heart-rending stories of isolation, bullying, intense pressure to conform, and the critical importance of a hospitable work environment. The clincher really is the difference the everyday things make, like how being called the right name and not being made to feel ‘other’ can transform someone’s entire life. I hope readers can meet each of our interviewees as people, in their own words, and feel inspired to show up as allies.”
Keshav Suri, Executive Director, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, said, “Hospitality, at its heart, is about making people feel they belong. And true inclusion is when you don’t have to leave a part of yourself at the door to be welcomed in. For us, this goes beyond opening doors or offering opportunities; it is about creating workplaces where every team member can show up as their whole self, with dignity, pride and the freedom to thrive.”
He continued by saying, “Decriminalisation was an important step, but equality is the work that follows. The real measure of progress is not just who gets a seat at the table, but who feels safe, respected and valued once they are there. This book honours the people who have brought us closer to that promise, while reminding us that making hospitality truly inclusive is a responsibility we must continue to live every day.”
The book was unveiled by Dr Jyotsna Suri, the Executive Directors, Amrita Tripathi, Faye D’Souza, and the featured team members. Keshav Suri delivered the vote of thanks, and Hash Brownie performed in line with Kitty Su Beauty.
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.
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