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His appointment is seen as being part of the Chairperson
& Managing Director Jyotsna Suri's attempt to professionalise
The Grand's management, which was controlled with an
iron hand by the late Lalit Suri, who passed away suddenly
in London last year. The Grand manages seven hotels,
including Hari Singh's old palace in Srinagar, and plans
to make eight more operational by 2008-09.
Jyotsna has served as Joint Managing Director since
1989 and has been taking keen interest in conceptualising
the look of The Grand's upcoming projects. Her daughter,
Deeksha, an London School of Economics alumna, heads
the corporate affairs division of the chain.
Under her late husband, professional managers were
reported to be unhappy with the owners The group has
been on expansion mode but not famous for any spark.
Even The Grand's acquisition of disinvested ITDC-owned
hotels in Bangalore, Udaipur and Khajuraho was questioned
by critics. Lalit Suri was seen as benefiting from his
proximity to key ministers in the BJP-led NDA government.
Jamal's entry into the group is expected to change
all that.
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