Society & Culture
In this powerful episode of #SayAgain, Amrita Tripathi speaks with Keshav Suri, Executive Director of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group. Witty, candid and self-aware, Keshav takes us on a deeply personal journey—from checking his privilege as a self-described ‘nepo baby’ to using that privilege to drive meaningful change for the LGBTQIA+ community in India.
Keshav opens up about the loss of his beloved cousin and on his commitment to mental health advocacy. Ahead of World Mental Health Day, Keshav delivers a timely reminder: mental health conversations and access to resources must become more equitable. Tune in for an enlightening and inspiring conversation about leadership, allyship, and the responsibility that comes with privilege.
(Trigger Warning: This episode at 33:47 contains a mention of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. Click here for a list of helplines.)
Show Notes
Tune in as we discuss:
- Impact & Activism: Keshav shares how he became involved in the legal battle to overturn Section 377
- Privilege with Purpose: How Keshav is leveraging his privilege to advocate for rights for the LGBTQIA+ community
- DE&I: What’s missing in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion conversation? Is there a backlash?
- "Raja Beta" and Beyond: Moving beyond being his parents’ son, coming out to his team and ensuring he redefines what it means to be a leader
- Learning from the Team: Insight into how the Lalit Suri Hospitality Group learned from employees and made structural changes to foster a more inclusive workplace
- The Pandemic Effect: Reflections on how the pandemic impacted his team and what they did to rise to the occasion
- Mental Health Advocacy: Discussing the Keshav Suri Foundation’s initiatives, including scholarships and mental health services for LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities
- Personal Loss: His heartfelt account of losing a cousin to suicide, a tragedy that fuels his dedication to mental health support
- Gratitude: The deep appreciation he holds for his mother and sisters, and feminine energy they bring to his life
- Resources