In Memory of Param Kannampilly: The Ultimate Professional with a Human Touch
by Prashant Kapadia/NHN
Memorial Tribute for Param Kannampilly (KPK)
Kamlesh Barot remembers his friend ‘Param’ as a consummate professional,inspiring leader, and mentor, above all, a rare human being whose presence left an enduring imprint on the hospitality industry.
Today, I stand here with a heart full of memories, gratitude, and an indescribable sense of loss as we remember my dear friend, Param Kannampilly — fondly known to many of us as KPK.
“Param” means ultimate — and in every sense of the word, he truly was the ultimate. The ultimate professional, the ultimate leader, the ultimate mentor, and above all, the ultimate human being our hotel industry could ever be blessed with.
I had intended to share these thoughts at his prayer meet of 3rd April 2026, but I realized that limiting his legacy to only those present in that room would not do justice to the life he lived and the countless lives he touched. His story deserves to be heard far and wide.
Param was not just a colleague — he was a force of nature. A visionary who shaped the hospitality landscape with quiet strength and unwavering integrity. My journey with him goes back many years, and I consider it one of my greatest privileges that I had the opportunity to work alongside him and introduce him to various platforms where his brilliance could inspire others.
I had first co-opted Param at HRAWI, recognizing his immense potential to contribute to the industry at a larger level. From there, as I brought him into FHRAI Executive Committee, in my term of FHRAI Presidentship, his journey expanded further. I later introduced him to my Indian Merchants’ Chamber’s Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Committee. At the IHMCTAN, both of us were on the Board of Governors at our shared alma mater, the Dadar Catering College. Watching him so closely contribute meaningfully across all these institutions was like witnessing excellence in motion in front of us.
One of my fondest memories is inviting him to address my team at Revival Hotel, Baroda, during his tenure as Director at The Orchid Hotel. His words that day were not just guidance — they were a masterclass in leadership, humility, and vision. He had the rare ability to inspire without trying, to lead without asserting, and to teach without preaching.
Param’s belief in people and partnerships was extraordinary. I will always cherish how he was instrumental in suggesting our Revival brand that now manages the entire F&B operations at The Fern Residency, Sheshadripuram — now Fern Residency, Series by Marriott there. That stands as a testament to the trust he placed in relationships and his forward-thinking approach to collaboration.
Beyond his professional achievements, what truly defined Param was his character. In a gesture that reflects the depth of his humanity, like my own father, he chose cadaver donation — a final act of giving, even in departure.
Below is the link published in this same magazine, about the full body donated to the medical fraternity for learning and research, even by my father, decades back:https://docs.google.com/document/d/15btngS_aqr1Vl2PbYppTL1O3Bi32iMpAlucPBrw-tzk/edit?usp=drivesdk
As we remember him today, we must also look ahead with hope. His legacy lives on not just in the institutions he shaped or the milestones he achieved, but in the people he inspired. I am confident that Suhail, Karun, and Nandita will carry forward this remarkable legacy with the same passion, strength, and grace.
Param was not just part of our industry — he defined it for many of us. He raised the bar, not by words, but by example.
And while we mourn his absence, we must also celebrate the extraordinary life he lived.
Param, my friend — you were, and will always remain, the ultimate.
Authored by Mr. Kamlesh Barot,Director of Revival Company, Barot Hotels and Past President of FHRAI.