"We have people and we have scale. Once we start leveraging that scale, it allows communities to reimagine the possibilities of their craft."

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At the event's inaugural edition, Principal Asha Sairam shared the stage with Dutch industrial designer Richard Hutten, Charu Gandhi of Elicyon, and Priya Paul of The Park Hotels in a panel centred on ‘Hospitality beyond the Image.’ She highlighted the potential of design as a catalyst for cultural revival: how working with local resources creates a ripple effect—supporting employment, reviving traditional skills, and fostering a sense of shared ownership. Furthermore, she shared her perspective on how storytelling, local context and thoughtful application of technology can create lasting guest experiences that resonate both in-person and across digital realms.