User:L. Aruna Dhir

L. Aruna Dhir is a Hospitality & Feature Writer and Columnist for some of the world’s highest ranked Hospitality publications including ehotelier.com, Hospitality.Net, Bizcatalyst360.com. Her industry writings are used as references in case studies and hotel schools.

Biography

L. Aruna Dhir grew up in the sylvan surroundings of the wooded Doon Valley cradled in the palms of the Himalayan foothills guarded by a thick green cover of Rajaji National Park and the mountain ranges that are home to some of the finest hill stations that India is jeweled with since the time of The Raj.

Dehradun, now the Capital City of the State of Uttarakhand in the northern part of India, has always been known for it's academic moorings and literary leanings. Hence, it is no surprise that Aruna anchored her career in the field of writing and literature.

Aruna did her schooling in some of the best convents in Doon Valley and then graduated from Jawaharlal Nehru University, recognized as India's best University.

Writing Career

A Freelance Writer since 1987, Aruna has had her writings appear in several national and international publications. Aruna is also an avid blogger (www.luckyaruna.blogspot.com and www.larunadhir.blogspot.com).

Today, Aruna writes on Hotel Management, Brand Management, Communications, Hospitality Practices and Trends, Human equations at Work for the best known international hospitality publications. Her writings, infused with her characteristic humour and laden with anecdotes and personal experiences have a huge fan following.

Aruna is also a published poet; with two anthologies to her credit. The two volumes feature collection of poems on 'Love' and 'Friendship' respectively.

India's first ever Creative Writer for the Social Expressions Industry

L. Aruna Dhir has been India's first and only Creative Writer for the Social Expressions Industry having penned down original verses for India's Greeting Cards giant - Archies G& G Ltd. Just as Helen Steiner Rice made a place for herself as the Verse writer for American Greetings in 60s, Aruna Dhir did so for India's Archies Greetings & Gifts Ltd. in early 90s. While with the Company Aruna Dhir brought out several card series, some of which have sold well in international markets, notably in South America, Germany, South and South-East Asia and the Middle East.. The series were sold under her by-line – an unprecedented feat that has not been repeated since.

Brand Maker

With over 16 years of experience with some of India and Asia's top hotel brands, Aruna is a seasoned Corporate Communications Specialist, PR Strategist and Brand Management Expert. As an industry expert, Aruna has launched brands, developed training modules, created standardization of business communication and written manuals. Aruna helped relaunch The Imperial Hotel - one of India's oldest and historic hotels into a contemporary and leading iconic hotel in South East Asia with strong moorings in India's rich historical past.

Aruna was responsible for creating the Marketing tagline for The Imperial - "The Imperial Experience - Elegant, Exclusive, Exceptional."

Fun Lexicographer

L. Aruna Dhir has coined the word "Foodophile" [1] as a noun to define a person who has a great fondness for food; someone who is an ardent food lover. [2] [3] [4] The word has been published in the online editions of the following dictionaries - Macmillan Dictionary, Urban Dictionary, Wiktionary, Defintion - Of Community Dictionary, Merriam Webster.

The second word that Aruna has coined is Foodiepaedia (noun) : a food lover's encyclopaedia of food, which has been featured in the online edition of Merriam Webster. Urban Dictionary, Definition-Of Community Dictionary, PseudoDictionary.

Recognition

In 2002, in a national Newspaper poll, Aruna was voted as the best Hospitality PR Professional by a cross-section of peers from competition hotels, guests, industry experts and stalwarts from the PR world.

Aruna was hailed as a contemporary Woman Achiever in Rupert Murdoch’s Star Television's program on noteworthy women.

Radio and Television

L. Aruna Dhir has been a radio jockey with Times FM and a Programme Host and Presenter with All India Radio.

In the medium of Television, Aruna has hosted Breakfast shows, anchored Food & Lifestyle shows and been a Weather Bulletin Broadcaster for Doordarshan - India's National Television.

Aruna has enjoyed the privilege of interviewing Sergey Bubka, Russia's Bolshoi Ballet Group, Ruskin Bond, Zohra Sehgal.

Cultural Ambassador

Aruna has represented India to a select group of opinion-makers in the United States, as a Cultural Ambassador under the aegis of Rotary International.

Aruna has also participated in the IXth Commonwealth Study Conference held in Australia and chaired by Princess Anne.

Philanthropy

Aruna is an ardent Animal lover and activist who strongly supports causes of Animal Welfare, Animal Protection, Animals Rights brought out internationally by WWF, PETA and WSPA.

In her official and personal capacity L. Aruna Dhir has and continues to work on several social awareness projects including giving annual donations – People for Animals, Earthquake Relief, National Blind Association, PETA, Friendicoes to name a few.

Road Ahead

L. Aruna Dhir is currently working on several book projects on India, Hotels, Public Relations & Communications in the Hospitality Industry and a contemporary Encyclopaedia on Food.

References / External Links

http://luckyaruna.blogspot.com/2011/05/poetic-pride-of-place-my-favourite.html http://luckyaruna.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-passion-for-poetry-love-never_02.html http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/ie/daily/19990226/ile26133p.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D60xcB6bApI http://www.macmillandictionary.com/open-dictionary/entries/foodophile.htm http://nws.merriam-webster.com/opendictionary/newword_display_cat.php?cat=food http://www.pseudodictionary.com/foodophile http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=foodophile http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Foodiepaedia http://www.definition-of.com/Foodiepaedia http://www.pseudodictionary.com/foodiepaedia http://nws.merriam-webster.com/opendictionary/newword_display_alpha.php?letter=Fo&last=30 http://www.icmrindia.org/casestudies/catalogue/Marketing/Customer%20Service%20at%20Ritz-Carlton-Excerpts.htm http://imperialhotelmanagementcollegestudent.blogspot.in/2013/04/what-do-luxury-travelers-want.html http://newspaperarchive.com/us/maryland/frederick/frederick-news-post/2001/05-07/page-10 http://indianrestaurantspy.blogspot.in/2014/04/on-day-after-national-public-relations.html