It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially with NRAI’s initiative ‘Santa’s Cause’.

This Christmas, as Restaurants rolled out festive menus to make Christmas special for their patrons, they also came together to spread festive cheer to those that are less fortunate. Most children look forward to Christmas and the gifts they will get from Santa, so Members of NRAI decided to become Santa for children from orphanages, slums and NGOs through NRAI’s CSR initiative called Santa’s Cause. Initiated in 2019 by NRAI Kolkata Chapter, this noble cause has also been taken up by NRAI Delhi, Noida, Gurugram and Mumbai Chapters this year. Given the difficult times faced during the pandemic, this effort by NRAI helped spread smiles across the country on Christmas Day.

With the support of our Member Restaurants, Associate Members and Philanthropic Guests, NRAI distributed meals and goodies to over 20,000 children and to make it more exciting and fun for kids, NRAI Kolkata Chapter also invited Harley-Davidson riders to be a part of the initiative.

Pooja Baid, Chief Mentor – Piccadilly Square; Managing Committee Member of NRAI Kolkata Chapter said, “We all have someone in our lives donning Santa’s Hat and making us happy, but not everyone is as fortunate. NRAI’s initiative Santa’s Cause gave us the opportunity to be Santa to the less privileged. With generous support of Member Restaurants, Associate Members and Philanthropic Guests we could spread smiles to thousands of children this Christmas. The joy we experienced was magical and we hope to make it an annual program.”

Varun Khera, Head of Noida Chapter; Director of Dream Square Hospitality LLP said, “NRAI Delhi, Noida & Gurugram Chapters conducted the drive today in association with Rouble Nagi Art Foundation and distributed food packets across various orphanages, old age homes and slum clusters in Delhi, Noida and Gurugram. I would like to thank all NRAI Members who came forward and supported this cause to make it happen. Those kids’ smiles which we saw today is the most beautiful and cherished gift of my life.!”

Talking about her first NRAI initiative as the Mumbai Co-Chapter Head, Rachel Goenka who is also Founder & CEO of The Chocolate Spoon Company said, “This is an initiative that I am honoured to be associated with. Every member of NRAI’s Mumbai Chapter did their best to contribute to this cause that gives back to the community as much as possible. It’s the busiest time of the year for our industry and it’s amazing to see this kind of support from the fraternity. The NRAI Mumbai Chapter and Khana Chaahiye Foundation came together this Christmas to feed the needy. All donations raised by restaurants’ guests was utilised towards providing meals and rations to the less fortunate adding a cheer to their lives. This initiative is open to whoever would like to donate.”

Kabir Suri, President of NRAI said, “This initiative could not have been possible without the support of NRAI Chapter Heads and core teams of Kolkata, Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon and Mumbai. I would like totake this opportunity to thank our steering leaders – Aditya Ladsaria, Pooja Baid, Sudhir Ahuja, Abhimanyu Maheshwari, Varun Khera, Priyank Sukhija, Vishal Anand, Rachel Goenka and Pranav Rungta for their selfless efforts to make this initiative so successful. A special and heartfelt thank you to all NRAI Members for their significant contribution to make this beautiful initiative possible.”

About National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI)

National Restaurant Association of India is the voice of the Indian Restaurant Industry. Founded in 1982, it represents the interests of 500000+ restaurants, an industry valued INR 4,23,865 crores.

Being the leading association of the Indian restaurant industry, NRAI aspires to promote and strengthen the Indian Food Service Sector. The Association in its 38th year has a pan India presence with members comprising of restaurants and suppliers.

NRAI is governed by a committee of members and led by a President and Office Bearers. The committee consists of over 35 Restaurant CEOs /Owners representing various national and international brands from the F &B sector. The association works closely with a network of State and City chapter partners in Mumbai, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Delhi, Noida and Chandigarh and will open new chapters in others cities soon. The Chapter activities include:

• Ground work and action pertaining to government issues and representations
• Facilitate the exchange of knowledge & experience
• Provide support in the overall development of the association

Our Vision

NRAI aspires to lead the Indian Restaurant Industry to greater profitable growth. It represents the interests of members through advocacy, training, research and industry events.

NRAI aims to

• Advocate changes in the laws governing the Indian Restaurant Industry at local, state and centre levels,
• Provide opportunities to educate members
• Play a key role in promoting skilling and career opportunities for industry professionals through the Hospitality Sector Skill Council.

For more information, please contact: Neha Grover, Head – Marketing and Communications, NRAI – +91 9899069784; neha.grover@nrai.org