Azad condoles Suri's death

Srinagar, Oct 11 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Tourism Minister Dilawar Mir and others have expressed grief over the untimely demise of leading hotelier and Rajya Sabha member Lalit Suri who died in London yesterday following a heart attack.

In his message, Mr Azad said Suri's contribution in developing tourist infrastructure in private sector has been remarkable.

The establishment of a leading hotel - Grand Palace Intercontinental -- by Suri in Kashmir at the peak of militancy when everybody was winding up hotel business in the Valley proved his vision and love for the people of the state, he added.

The Chief Minister expressed heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.

Fifty-nine-year-old Suri, the chief of Bharat Group of Hotels, was member of the Indian Business delegation for the India-UK Business Summit in London.

Tourism Minister Dilawar Mir also expressed sorrow over Suri's death, saying he was highly regarded in the business and tourism circles for dynamism, foresight and forward thinking.

His contribution to trade and tourism in Kashmir has been of great significance, Mr Mir said.

The Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation (KHAROF), of which Suri was a member, has also condoled his death.

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