IIT Delhi Confers the Distinguished Alumnus Award to Patu Keswani, Chairman & Managing Director, LTH
The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi conferred the Distinguished Alumnus Award on Patanjali (Patu) Keswani, Chairman & Managing Director, Lemon Tree Hotels in recognition of his outstanding achievements.
Online, August 25, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi conferred the Distinguished Alumnus Award on Patanjali (Patu) Keswani, Chairman & Managing Director, Lemon Tree Hotels in recognition of his outstanding achievements.
Speaking at the occasion, Patu Keswani said "I feel honored to receive this award from my Alma Mater. I have spent some of the best years of my life at IIT Delhi and it will always hold a special place in my heart."
Patu began his career with Tata Administrative Service after completing his Bachelors' Degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi in 1981 and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata. Over a span of 15 years, Patu has made outstanding contributions in the hospitality sector.
Anticipating the enormous but as yet latent demand for mid-market and economy hotels, Patu promoted Lemon Tree Hotels in late 2002 and Red Fox Hotels in mid 2006. He is presently the Chairman and Managing Director of both companies. The group currently owns and operates 18 hotels pan India with over 2000 employees. By end 2013, the group will own and operate 26 hotels in 16 major Indian cities, with over 4000 direct employees.
A pioneer in the mid market hotel segment in India, Patu has created the 'low cost carrier' equivalent of the hotel industry. As a result, lacs of Indians now have access to affordable hotel rooms and restaurant services across India. Directly and indirectly, the companies he has founded over the last decade will provide employment opportunities to over 10,000 people across India by 2013.
Patu is particularly interested in offering opportunities to physically disabled Indians and currently employs over 100 employees with disabilities (EWDs) across his 18 hotels. Lemon Tree Hotels intends to provide gainful employment to over 400 employees with disabilities i.e. 10% of the staff strength by 2012-2013.
About IIT Delhi Distinguished Alumni Award
The IIT Delhi Distinguished Alumni Award was instituted in 1991 to recognize conspicuous achievements and outstanding contributions made by an Alumnus of IIT Delhi to teaching and R&D, technology and business development, entrepreneurship, professional service and public policy. By presenting this award, the Institute recognizes its alumni for achievements that have brought laurels to the Institute.
The Institute grants the award each year to one or more of its alumni at the Institute's annual convocation. It consists of a plaque and a citation.