Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (BCIHMCT) witnessed the grand opening of the 24th Chandiwala Hospitality Ensemble (CHE) 2025 on October 15, with the vibrant theme “Sanskriti se Samriddhi”– Prosperity through Culture. The campus came alive with enthusiasm as students, faculty members, and industry experts gathered to inaugurate the mega hospitality event.

The Inaugural ceremony opened with the Lighting of the Lamp lighting Ceremony. This year’s event was elevated by the presence of Ms.Sujata Anand, Secretary , Banarasidas Chandiwala Sewa Smarak Trust Society, Chief Guest – Mr. Diwan Gautam Anand, a highly respected hospitality industry Professional, Founding Trustee of the Cuisine India Foundation and Former GM of ITC Maurya, New Delhi along with other distinguished guests from Hotel Industry including Ms. Viniti Behl(Area Director L&D Young Talent Development- Taj Hotels and Resorts), Ms. Nishiganda Chaitale (L&Q Manager,Crowne Plaza Today, Okhla), Mr. Sanjiv. S. kumar (Operations Manager ,Crowne Plaza Today),Okhla, Chef Ajay Sood, Ms Navneet Batra (Assistant Manager Learning and Development - Young Talent Development and L&D Hub Delhi NCR) and our respected Principal Prof. R.K. Bhandari and Event coordinator Dr. Chef Prem Ram.

Prof. Bhandari highlighted CHE as a premier national forum uniting aspiring hospitality professionals to showcase creativity and excellence. He remarked, *“Each failure refines our wisdom, every challenge heals our spirit, and together they shape our rise.”* Mr. Anand inspired participants to pursue guest satisfaction as the key to growth and discussed emerging opportunities in GIG hotels and cruise lines. Dr. Prem Ram emphasized the significance of the theme, the use of millets in culinary innovation, and the importance of sustainability in hospitality.

Adding to the festivity, the Royal Groove Future Chef Competition celebrated young culinary talent from Delhi schools. Participants prepared fireless dishes and beverages under the same theme, blending tradition with innovation. The winners were Saanya Puri (New Era Public School), Laavanay Nagwaani (Jagannath International School), and Dimya Luthra (DLF Public School). The event truly embodied Sanskriti se Samriddhi, merging India’s rich heritage with modern creativity in hospitality.

In a move that signals a deepening partnership between academia and industry, a delegation from the Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (BCIHMCT) recently visited the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi. The visit came at the personal invitation of Mr. Tuhar Abrol, Director of Learning & Development for the IHCL Group’s Delhi NCR L&D Hub.

Hosted by Dr. Anmol Ahluwalia, Area Director – Operations and General Manager, alongside Mr. Abrol and Ms. Paramjeet Dias, Learning & Development Manager, the BCIHMCT team was given a firsthand look at the hotel’s recent renovations and engaged in a series of forward-looking discussions aimed at aligning educational outcomes with evolving industry needs.

The visit served as a springboard for exploring collaborative opportunities that can prepare students for the future of hospitality. Key among the discussions was the proposal by Prof. R.K. Bhandari, who introduced the institute’s “Chandiwala Cocreation Lab” — an initiative focused on innovation, research, CSR, and co-hosted events. He invited IHCL to join hands in shaping projects across a range of areas including incubation, knowledge sharing, and talent development.

Dr. Ahluwalia brought attention to the importance of inclusive employment practices, advocating for skill training programs tailored for individuals with physical challenges, with an eye toward integrating them more effectively into the hospitality workforce.

The meeting concluded with a moment of pride for the institute as Dr. Ahluwalia acknowledged the contributions of BCIHMCT students currently undergoing industrial training at the hotel, specifically naming Mr. Tushar Manchanda, Ms. Soumya Ahuja, and Mr. Yashit Goyal.

This visit marks another step forward in the growing collaboration between BCIHMCT and the IHCL Group, reinforcing a shared mission to develop future-ready professionals equipped to thrive in a dynamic and inclusive hospitality landscape.