The LaLiT to Launch Hospitality with a Heart, a Book of Stories from Its Queer Team on 31 October 2026

New Delhi: The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group is set to launch Hospitality with a Heart, a book featuring personal stories of its queer team members, on 31 October 2026 at The LaLiT New Delhi. Written by Amrita Tripathi, the book includes an introduction by Keshav Suri, Executive Director of The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group.

The book launch will take place at 3:00 PM at the Crystal Ballroom, bringing together leaders, journalists, and team members to discuss LGBTQIA+ inclusion, workplace diversity, empathy, and the importance of creating inclusive workplaces in India’s hospitality industry.

Hospitality with a Heart: Celebrating Queer Stories and Inclusion

Hospitality with a Heart shares the personal experiences of individuals who have challenged social labels, overcome exclusion, and found pride and belonging. The book highlights the experiences of queer employees whose journeys have contributed to a broader conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

The stories explore how everyday workplace experiences can shape a person’s sense of dignity and acceptance. They also highlight the importance of creating professional environments where employees can express their identities without fear of discrimination or exclusion.

Through these personal narratives, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group aims to highlight the role of inclusive workplace policies and supportive organisational cultures in bringing meaningful change.

The LaLiT’s Commitment to LGBTQIA+ Workplace Inclusion

The book examines how The LaLiT’s approach to inclusion developed through the experiences of its marginalised team members. Their stories prompted important questions about whether providing employment opportunities was enough, or whether workplace systems also needed to evolve.

This approach has contributed to changes in policies and processes, gender-affirming healthcare support, Employee Resource Groups, and wider programmes designed to support queer team members.

The initiative reflects a broader understanding of LGBTQIA+ workplace inclusion, where meaningful progress involves not only hiring people from marginalised communities but also ensuring that they feel safe, respected, and valued throughout their professional journeys.

Amrita Tripathi on the Stories Behind the Book

Amrita Tripathi, who curated the book, said the project revealed deeply personal experiences of isolation, bullying, and pressure to conform, alongside the importance of creating a supportive workplace.

She highlighted how seemingly small gestures, including addressing people by their correct names and ensuring they do not feel excluded, can have a lasting impact on their lives.

Tripathi hopes readers will connect with the people featured in the book through their own words and feel encouraged to become more active allies.

The book moves beyond general discussions about diversity and inclusion by placing individual experiences at the centre of the conversation.

Stories of Marginalised Communities and Social Empowerment

The narratives connect with The LaLiT’s wider initiatives supporting people from marginalised communities. These include She Leads, the Aditya Nanda Scholarship, Project Prahari, and Apna Heera.

The group’s inclusion efforts extend to LGBTQIA+ persons, acid attack survivors, persons with disabilities, and neurodivergent individuals.

By bringing these experiences into public conversation, Hospitality with a Heart highlights the importance of equal opportunities, accessible workplaces, and sustained efforts to improve representation and belonging.

Book Launch to Feature Panel Discussion on Empathy and Hospitality

The event will begin with a welcome address by Dr Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director of The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group.

Journalist Faye D’Souza will moderate a panel discussion featuring Amrita Tripathi, Rithik Hukku, Shaurya, and Shruti. The discussion will explore empathy, inclusion, and the meaning of hospitality beyond traditional customer service.

Team members featured in the book will also share personal experiences and reflections that have shaped the publication.

The book will subsequently be unveiled by Dr Jyotsna Suri, the Executive Directors, Amrita Tripathi, Faye D’Souza, and the featured team members. Keshav Suri will deliver the vote of thanks.

The programme will also feature a performance by Hash Brownie, in line with Kitty Su Beauty.

Keshav Suri on Building a Culture of Belonging

In his introduction to the book, Keshav Suri reflects on the importance of building workplaces where people can bring their whole selves to work with dignity, pride, and confidence.

He emphasises that inclusion must extend beyond providing employment opportunities. Employees should feel safe, respected, and valued after entering the workplace.

The book recognises the people whose experiences have helped advance inclusion within the organisation while highlighting the ongoing responsibility of building a more equitable hospitality industry.

For The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, the initiative reinforces the idea that hospitality is not limited to serving guests. It also involves creating an environment where every individual feels welcome and accepted.

About The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group

The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group is one of India’s leading privately owned domestic hotel groups, operating luxury hotels, palaces, resorts, and mid-market properties across key business and leisure destinations.

The group operates 12 luxury properties under The LaLiT brand and two mid-market hotels under The LaLiT Traveller brand. Its philosophy, Hospitality with a Heart, combines Indian heritage, curated guest experiences, culinary excellence, sustainability, and community development.

The group also focuses on creating employment opportunities for marginalised communities, including LGBTQIA+ persons, neurodivergent individuals, and acid attack survivors.

Through The LaLiT Suri Hospitality School, it invests in education and skills development, helping students from diverse backgrounds gain industry-relevant training and career opportunities. According to the group’s supplied profile, the school has a 100% placement record to date.

Event Details

• • Event: Hospitality with a Heart book launch

• • Organiser: The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group

• • Date: 31 October 2026

• • Time: 3:00 PM

• • Venue: Crystal Ballroom, The LaLiT New Delhi

• • Author: Amrita Tripathi

• • Introduction by: Keshav Suri

Conclusion

The launch of Hospitality with a Heart marks an opportunity to bring personal stories of queer team members into a wider conversation about inclusion, equality, and workplace belonging. By highlighting individual experiences and organisational change, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group aims to demonstrate why inclusive hospitality must extend beyond guest experiences to the people who make those experiences possible.

The book offers a perspective on how empathy, supportive policies, and everyday acts of respect can contribute to a more inclusive workplace and a hospitality industry where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.