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Tamara Leisure Eyes Smart Growth in the Hospitality Sector

Tamara Leisure bought an existing hotel property in Coimbatore last year and launched it under its brand after a complete renovation…reports Asian Lite News

Hospitality major Tamara Leisure Experiences Private Ltd owning and running hotels, resorts in India and Germany is looking at expansion through management contracts, said Shruti Shibulal, Director and Chief Executive Officer, the daughter of S.D Shibulal, one of the founders of software major Infosys Ltd.

She also said working smart and having a work-life balance is more important than putting in specified hours of work per week.

The 11 year old company owns 1,000 room keys under its four brands in India and Germany (where four owned properties are under management contracts).

“In India we will be closing 2023 with close to 600 room keys. We are moving towards 1,000 room keys in India,” Shruti told IANS after the launch of the company’s 141 rooms business hotel `O by Tamara’ in Coimbatore on Tuesday.

Tamara Leisure bought an existing hotel property in Coimbatore last year and launched it under its brand after a complete renovation.

In India the company’s properties – hotels, resorts and Ayurvedic Hospital- are in South India and going forward the expansion would happen in other parts of the country and overseas the expansion will largely be in Europe.

According to her, the company will be building a new hotel under its Lilac brand in Bodh Gaya.

This is in addition to the upcoming Lilac properties in Tamil Nadu’s Kumbakonam and Velankanni and in Kerala’s Guruvayoor and Kannur and existing two hotels in Bengaluru.

“We now have the confidence of getting into management contracts with existing hotel owners with our Lilac brand and go for asset light expansion model. Talks are already on with some property owners,” she said.

Queried about the rationale for having multiple brands – Tamara for resorts, O by Tamara for business and leisure segment, Lilac for mid segment and Amal Tamara, an Ayurvedic Hospital – instead of focusing and growing one or two brands Shruti said: “It is a brand risk diversification strategy.”

She said that having the company’s hotel properties in Germany being managed by brands like Holiday Inn Express, Courtyard By Marriott is also part of risk diversification strategy.

Shruti when queried about the 70 hour per week work a view expressed by N.R.Narayana Murthy, one of the Co-Founders of Infosys replied that one should work smart. The work should be smart and collaborative and not the number of hours. And also work-life balance is important.

“In our organisation we value work-life balance,” Shruti who is the over 1,000 employee Tamara Leisure added.

ALSO READ-Diabetes-friendly routines for work life balance

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Health Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Diabetes-friendly routines for work life balance

Stick to your medication routine: To manage your diabetes well, adhering to medication is important,whichhelps maintain glycemic control. In case you need to take any medication at work, be sure to set reminders – maybe on your phone or with a post-it note on your desk…reports Asian Lite News

To fuel your career ambitions and professional growth, good health plays a keyrole. Health shouldn’t hold anyoneback professionally. One of the most growing health conditions today that people need to manage effectively – including in the workplace – is diabetes. With carefulplanning, you can keep your blood sugar levels in check,so you continue to be at your best – throughout the work day and beyond.

Dr. Ravi Sankar Erukulapati, Endocrinologist, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad,commented, “India now has over 101 million people living with diabetes – a rise from 77 million in 2019. , Diabetes is a chronic lifestyle condition that needs to be managed properly to lessen the risk of other health problems in the future. For working professionals, many of whom are doing desk jobs, this can be challenging. As a result, people living with diabetes are sometimes inconsistent with their lifestyle changes and don’t take their medicines as prescribed. It is critical for people with diabetes to take necessary steps to effectively manage their diabetes and properly follow the treatment schedule for better health outcomes.”

Here are 7 steps on how to manage diabetes effectively at work:

Have a diabetes action plan that suits your worklife: Navigating your diabetes and work journey starts even before you reach the office. Gettinggood sleep at night matters  – as does how you plan for the day. Create a routine so you don’t skip breakfast – which is important to keep sugar highs and lows at bay.  Decide whether you want to have this meal at home or when you get to work but keep it nutritious. Limit empty calories and cut back on salt and saturated fat. ,

Snack smart: Whether a co-worker is munching on chips or fried foods or candy, or offering everyone mithai with celebratory news, you are always surrounded with unhealthy temptations.Avoiding snacking entirely can be tough, so have them in moderation, and be mindful of what you eat. Keep healthy snacks at hand – fruits, salad, nuts, yogurt – for when cravings hit. Also remember to stay hydrated with water over sugary and caffeinated drinks.

Healthy Lunch Matters: Pack lunch smartly so you can enjoy a healthy, balanced meal and aren’t only dependant on outside food. A diabetes-friendly diet includes leafy greens (like spinach), non-starchy vegetables (like carrots, tomatoes, onions, okra, cauliflower), healthy carbs (like whole grains and brown rice), lean proteins (including eggs, beans, and chicken), and fruits low in carbohydrates (such as oranges). , On days with special events, whether a colleague’s birthday or team lunch, watch your calorie intake beforehand.

In addition to following a balanced diet, it is crucial to monitor your glucose levels before and after meals. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices can be helpful in tracking your glucose levels throughout the day, providing real-time data to aid in managing your diabetes.

Stick to your medication routine: To manage your diabetes well, adhering to medication is important,whichhelps maintain glycemic control. In case you need to take any medication at work, be sure to set reminders – maybe on your phone or with a post-it note on your desk.

Ashwini Pawar, Medical Affairs Director for Abbott in Indiasaid, “For people with diabetes, disease management is important for maintaining good health. However, many don’t take their medicines as prescribed. At Abbott, we go beyond treating diseases by helping people build better habits and addressing typical barriers for taking timely medication. Introducing patient-centric innovations such as making tablets with a special coatingthatmake them easier to swallow,can help people overcome difficulties. Through such measures, we hope to help patients effectively manage diabetes so they can lead healthier lives while performing at their best.” , ,

Let your team be in the know: If you feel comfortable, talk to your manager and team about living with diabetes. This may help you request for more flexible adjustments, or even consistency with lunch breaks. You can also discuss critical steps necessary in case of a glucose emergency, so they know how to help you if such situations arise.

Get moving: Many at work have sedentary lifestyles. Physical activity helps people with diabetes manage their condition better. Get active by stretching at your desk, taking short walks around the office, up and down the stairs, or even outside. A recent study found that a post-meal walk also helps lower your blood sugar levels. Further, try fitting exercise into your routine before or after work.

Learn to manage stress: When you are stressed, you may notice your glucose levels changing. Sometimes, you may be overwhelmed at work. Good coping mechanisms help keep your blood sugar levels in check when things get difficult.  Try meditating in a quiet corner, find time to unwind (talk to a colleague or take a break), and identify and manage stressors.

Try finding a diabetes-friendly routine that works for you, so you can better manage your diabetes at work!

ALSO READ-‘11M Indians under treatment for hypertension and diabetes’

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs

The boundary between work and life

Our work life is colourfully blended with short office breaks to late-night conference calls. We need to devise strategies to strike a balance between the job and personal life. Remember, finding the right balance requires ongoing effort and adjustments…writes Karan Jain

The lines separating personal and professional lives have become hazier in the digital age. It has become difficult to disconnect from work and engage in personal life due to our constant connectivity and accessibility to everyone at any time.

The workplace has undergone a transformation, both for better and worse, due to the pandemic. The implementation of lockdowns and the shift to remote work revealed both positive and negative aspects of this transformation. On one hand, productivity soared as different work models and increased freedom empowered employees. On the other hand, it is crucial not to overlook the downside, as employees were often compelled to work beyond their designated hours. They became accessible even after work hours, blurring the boundaries between professional and personal life. This disruption disrupted the delicate balance that existed previously.

Unfortunately, despite these observations, the trend of working beyond set hours and the resulting low quality of work-life balance has persisted largely unchanged.

According to a recent study conducted by Arcadis, a consultancy based in Amsterdam, India has been ranked at the bottom in terms of work-life balance. Among 100 cities, New Delhi secured the 87th position, while Mumbai fared slightly better at 82nd. As a consequence of the inadequate work-life balance, two issues can emerge.

Burnout – Employees may feel burnout because of overwork.

Poor Performance – Even with constant and round-the-clock work, employees may not be able to offer optimal performance in their tasks.

No Boundaries Lead to Chaos


The internet has lessened the gaps and made the workplace smaller. One can work from anywhere with a laptop and a stable internet connection.

Establishing boundaries within the workplace is essential to achieve a harmonious work-life balance. Instances such as being assigned weekend projects or receiving Sunday morning Zoom meeting requests from employers indicate a lack of clear boundaries regarding work. Sadly, the majority of workplaces do not enforce a strict log-off policy and allow employees to work excessively long hours without facing any consequences.

Navigating through the tricky challenges of maintaining boundaries in professional life is not easy, but certainly not impossible.

It is still not all gloom and doom for employees and employers.

Our work life is colourfully blended with short office breaks to late-night conference calls. We need to devise strategies to strike a balance between the job and personal life. Remember, finding the right balance requires ongoing effort and adjustments.

Create a boundary

Setting boundaries is crucial for a fulfilling life. Without them, people may assume that your time, work, and personal space are always accessible to them.

We often try to please our seniors and we give in. Do not fear saying ‘no’. It is better to let people know that you may not be able to perform extra tasks post-working hours rather than overloading yourself.

In modern tech-driven workplaces, the utilisation of cloud-based platforms can assist employees in establishing work boundaries. These integrated platforms enable real-time updates of everyone’s status, along with sending reminders for lunch breaks or short breaks, as well as indicating individuals’ availability statuses.

Master the art of time management

Eisenhower’s model is the ideal learning model for managing time. Begin with breaking down tasks into descending order. Start from high-priority jobs to non-essential tasks and act on them accordingly.

An effective approach to managing work within a specific timeframe is setting realistic goals and adhering to a real timeline, while actively avoiding procrastination. It is also important to refrain from over committing to minimise pressure and maintain a healthy work balance.

Prioritise self-care and growth

Since our childhood, we have been reminded of the proverb “Health is Wealth.” It is imperative to take breaks from work, just as an empty car requires refuelling. Working tirelessly without respite is not sustainable.

One way to foster motivation for self-care is by investing in hobbies and passions. By dedicating time to activities we love, we are more inclined to prioritise personal time. Engaging in hobbies and practising relaxation techniques are essential for alleviating stress.

Taking care of oneself is crucial for both mental and physical well-being. It is not a selfish act but rather a means to reduce stress and foster personal growth. By recognising the importance of self-care, we can lead more balanced and fulfilling lives.

Learn to disconnect

Establish digital boundaries by consciously disconnecting from work-related devices during non-work hours.

Avoid checking work emails or responding to work-related messages outside of your designated work hours, unless it’s an emergency. Give yourself permission to recharge and be fully present in your personal life.

Steer clear of overpromising and underdelivering

When we consistently overpromise at work, whether it’s taking on too many projects or agreeing to tight deadlines, we put ourselves under immense pressure.

Instead, it is vital to assess our capabilities and workload realistically. By setting achievable goals and managing our time effectively, we can ensure that we’re able to deliver on our commitments without sacrificing our well-being.

Accept your organisation’s work culture

Employers sometimes expect employees to go above and beyond their regular duties, which can result in overwhelming workloads and burnout employees.

Certain companies value work-life balance and prioritise the well-being of their employees, while others may not consider it a priority.

If you find yourself in a workplace with a positive work culture, it can be beneficial for your productivity and overall satisfaction. However, if the work culture doesn’t align with your values and priorities, it may be worth considering finding a job where you can invest your time and effort more happily.

In today’s fast-paced and digital world, maintaining work-life boundaries is essential for personal well-being, productivity, and overall satisfaction. It is vital to regain control over your time, reduce stress and enjoy a fulfilling personal life alongside your professional life.

ALSO READ-Work life balance through spirituality