Grand launch of Dr. Vithal Kamat's ' Yash , Apyash Ani Mi ' at Orchid , the Ecotel amidst the lovely gathering , in the presence of hall-full of friends , family and fans.
Dr. Vithal Venkatesh Kamat, a Green Hotelier, an Environmentalist, an Entrepreneur, an Educationist, an Antiquarian, an Ornithologist, an Author, Glob Trotter and Black Belt Karateka, is a versatile personality. His journey started from a small vegetarian family restaurant to the Chairman of world’s highest award winning, Asia’s first an Ecotel hotel “The Orchid”.
He was the pioneer creating Asia’s first chain of Five star, Ecotel Hotels – The Orchid An Ecotel Hotel recognized globally as "The Hallmark of Environmentally Sensitive Hotels", has been
consistently bagging global awards and national ones also. With more than 90 awards under its belt, the Orchid Brand has grown leaps and bounds.
Owning and managing Fort Jadhavgadh - The first Museum Hotel in Maharashtra Pune, Dr. Kamat has proved that heritage and culture can be used as a great tool to give an experience of a lifetime to guest from various parts of India and Abroad alike. This 57 rooms property is from the Era of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s days located at Pune, it’s the only Fort Heritage Hotel in Maharashtra,
Mahodadhi Palace in Puri Orissa, is a Hotel with a history. Restored by Dr. Kamat, this hotel will soon be expanded so that even more guests can enjoy Orissa’s rich royal part.
LOTUS Resorts offers ‘Chill. Still, transport, environments near rivers, seaside lakes, a value for money resort chain in Goa, Konark, Silvassa and many more places. A chain of Vithal Kamats Vegetarian Restaurants. one of India’s largest vegetarian chain of South Indian and Indian
Cuisines, Dr. Vithal Kamat offer the family a safe and comfortable dining experience across the highways of India.
As an Environmentalist planted more than 20 lakhs trees and transformed his owned over hundreds of Acres of hillock into medicinal plants and local trees for forestation. The first Butterfly Garden in Mumbai city & more than 28 gardens which are maintained on the vermiculture of the hotel, and also environ scopic monument of “Child Gives Birth to a Mother” is maintained in various part of Country. Involved with more than 1,200 ALM (Advance Locality Management) for clean and hygienic streets in India. He strongly believes “We can’t command nature except by obeying her”
His Mantra of 3 R – ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ and an torchbearer and originator of “No Plastic Bags” has benefited over 3 lakhs students and many housing societies through ‘Rain Water harvesting’ and ‘Wealth from Waste’ exhibition. His yearly habit is conversion of over 200 tons of ‘Nirmalya’ (flower offerings) into manure after Ganapati immersion in Mumbai is widely covered by Media.
As a Conservationist and an Ornithologist by nature he has created “Raghu – Chivu Galli” (Parrot & Sparrow Street) in Mumbai. Preservation and Procreation of turtle eggs in Konkan and Orissa, conservation of Deers near Fort Jadhavgadh – Pune
As an Antiquarian having a collection over 35,000 exhibits has set up in “Aai” – The Mother Museum at The Orchid Hotel in Mumbai and Fort Jadhavgadh, Pune the proceeding of which goes for charitable institutes.
As an Author, his books “Idli, Orchid and Will Power” and “Udyojak Honarach Mi” have been translated over 9 languages. He is a visiting faculty at IIM – Ahmedabad, Bits Pilani, Symbiosis – Pune and many management institutes of India & Abroad. Recipient of more than 193 national and international awards including ‘Best CEO of Industry Award’ by Indian Express, ‘Golden Peacock Award’ receiving from the hands of Holy Dalai Lama & ‘Life Time Achievements Award’ in Berlin, Germany.
President of the Maharashtra Economic Development Council, Vice President of Hotel and Restaurant Association of western India, Member of ‘‘priyadarshini Academies Global Award
Advisory Committee & Chairman of Technical Education Mumbai Board to name a few. He was involved with 3484 students ‘Suryakumbh’ – Solar cooking programme held at Keshav Srushti Thane for cooking food which will be the Guinness Record.
THE COLLECTION OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS WON BY
DR. VITHAL VENKATESH KAMAT :
BSE and NASSCOM Foundation has given certificate to The Orchid an Ecotel Hotel for Social and
Corporate Governance Awards under the category of Best Corporate Social Responsibility Practice on 14th December, 2007.
Star Hospitality Award - presented to Dr. Vithal Kamat, Executive Chairman & Managing Director, on February 20, 2008 for Path breaking Profession & Achievement in Environmental Consciousness.
The International Council of Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) honored our Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Vithal Kamat with lifetime contribution award ‘Hall of Fame Lifetime Contribution in Hospitality Industry Award’ given at the ITB, Berlin 2008.
"Best Traffic Island" for the year 2008 by The National Society of the Friends of Trees maintained by The Orchid\ The Vishwa Award was awarded to Dr. Vithal. V Kamat in the category of Leader in Industry for contribution towards environmental protection Dr. Vithal Kamat says,
“Environment is my Passion, Heritage is my Creed, Hospitality is my Life!”