With a member base exceeding two million, Country Club Hospitality and Holidays Ltd. has grown into one of India’s largest lifestyle communities, representing the true spirit of community building and togetherness. Having successfully achieved a zero-debt status, the brand is now entering a new phase of growth through franchise expansion across key destinations, while continuing to embody the true spirit of strengthening the social fabric of families across generations through shared experiences. Guided by the belief that “All Roads will Lead to Country Club,” Country Club Hospitality and Holidays Ltd. rang in New Year 2026 with spectacular celebrations across its properties pan-India, marking what is being hailed as Asia’s biggest New Year bash. Over 1 lakh members and guests participated simultaneously across 10 centres in India, making it one of the largest coordinated family celebrations ever held in the region. The mega celebrations showcased a vibrant mix of live music, high-energy DJ battles, cultural performances, gourmet dining, and family-friendly entertainment. With three generations celebrating together under one roof, the event stood out as a rare and powerful example of togetherness. From metropolitan hubs to luxury resort destinations, each venue reflected Country Club’s signature blend of grandeur, entertainment, and warm hospitality-bringing families together in a safe, celebratory, and inclusive environment. Hyderabad: Hyderabad brought the house down with the epic ‘War of DJ’s’ featuring international DJ Vinishh and DJ Ecstasy. Renowned playback singers Pavani and Nandkishore added soul to the evening, while popular South Indian actress Pragya Nayan stole the show by mingling with members. Country Condos Director Mr. K. K. Raju and Mr. Siddharth Reddy felicitated Ms. Pragya with a Country Club VIP Gold Membership, welcoming her into the Country Club family. Mumbai: The city of dreams rang in 2026 with a high-octane battle of beats featuring DJ Kanish, DJ Avee, and DJ Jango. The celebration was graced by Chairman and Managing Director Mr. Y. Rajeev Reddy, who attended as Chief Guest and Brand Ambassador. The night sparkled with a star-studded presence, including digital diva Rahila Rehman who lit up the stage adding extra sparkle to the night with actress Abha Parmar, and producer-writer Sunil Sirvaiya. Chennai: Country Club Le Crystal, Kovalam transformed into a dazzling party hotspot with a power-packed dance performance by Zee TV fame actress Preetha Suresh, electrifying musical renditions by popular playback singer Gana Bala, and a unique ventriloquism act by Niranjana, keeping the audience thoroughly entertained. Bengaluru: A perfect blend of elegance and excitement marked the celebrations, with DJ Aria’s music setting the tone for a joyous, family-friendly New Year revelry. Pune: Mesmerising performances, upbeat music, and a vibrant festive atmosphere made Country Club Pune a preferred New Year destination for families and youngsters alike. Delhi-NCR: The capital city welcomed 2026 with vibrant gatherings, cultural performances, and an energetic party vibe. DJ Parveen’s music, coupled with exquisite food and beverages, made the celebration truly memorable. Across all cities, Country Club’s New Year 2026 celebrations reinforced its commitment to family-centric entertainment, uniting three generations at a single celebration platform-a milestone moment that underscores its ambition to set a record for Asia’s largest family New Year celebration. About Country Club Hospitality and Holidays Ltd. With over 35 years of legacy, Country Club Hospitality and Holidays Ltd. is one of India’s most established lifestyle and hospitality brands, operating a distinguished network of over 30 branches across key destinations in India and serving a member base exceeding two million. Having achieved a zero-debt status, the brand is now expanding through a carefully curated franchise-led growth model. Renowned for its refined hospitality, family-centric philosophy, and commitment to community building, Country Club continues to create elevated experiences that bring multiple generations together in an atmosphere of elegance, trust, and togetherness. Website: www.countryclubindia.net Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the article are media marketing initiative and do not represent the stand and views of Mid-Day Group. Mid-Day Group disclaims any and all liability to any party, company or product for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from the use of this content.

Kolkata’s winter evening glowed with warmth and wit as siblings Shashi, Shobha, and Smita Tharoor settled into a freewheeling conversation at a packed Birla Sabhaghar. The event - ‘Tete-a-Tea with Tharoors’ - presented by Prabha Khaitan Foundation with FICCI Flo Kolkata and Sanskriti Sagar, became an intimate tapestry of memory, music, wisdom, sibling chemistry and heartfelt revelations. Guided by conversationalist Nishtha Gautam, the hour-long session was a rollercoaster-funny, reflective, and deeply moving. The trio opened up about family, fate, and the leap of faith that changed their lives forever. It all began with a mother’s fear. When a young Shashi Tharoor, a diplomat with a gleaming global reputation, decided to enter Indian politics, his mother Sulekha Menon was heartbroken. “People will spoil your name,” she warned, seeing her son step into what she viewed as a “muddy” and dangerous arena. Shobha, who managed Tharoor’s first campaign, recalled the family’s anxiety. “It unnerved, stressed and disturbed us,” she admitted. Their mother was “deeply unhappy.” Yet, Tharoor’s conviction was unshakable. Having observed world leaders up close at the UN, he believed politics was the ultimate platform to change lives. “If people like me stayed away,” he reasoned, “young, bright, caring people who love the country will never join.” His sister Smita, now a Kolkata resident, affirmed this lifelong motive: “He joined the UN to make a difference. He came back into politics also to make a difference.” Looking back, Tharoor chuckled at his own “sheer ignorance.” Having left India at 19, he’d never even voted, let alone understood the gritty reality of elections. His plunge was less a calculated move and more a swirl of circumstance and idealism. The affection in the hall was palpable, especially among women who lined up for selfies. Tharoor credited his comfort with women to the strong women in his life. “Growing up with women around me made me very sensitive… I never absorbed the patriarchy or misogyny I sometimes see,” he said, also praising his liberal father for fostering a home of free choice. The session of Tete-a-Tea with Tharoors in Kolkata organized by Prabha Khaitan Foundation in association with FICCI Flo and Sanskriti Sagar  The mood turned solemn when a student asked about his private member’s bill to criminalize marital rape. Tharoor’s bill, currently tabled in Parliament, seeks to remove the legal exception that shields husbands from prosecution for raping their wives. He called the existing law a “travesty,” rooted in “an outdated assumption that marriage is a sacred sacrament.” He expressed dismay that “women ministers handling this portfolio” have defended the exemption. “That, to me, is unbelievable-and we must speak out against it,” he stated firmly. “Marital rape is not about conjugal rights,” he stressed. “It is about violence. And violence is rightly criminalized because it violates a person’s bodily autonomy, agency, and fundamental rights.” His bill asserts that marriage cannot negate a woman’s right to consent-“only yes means yes.” For one evening, the politician, the writer, the diplomat, and the brother merged into one. Balancing the seriousness of law and rights were moments of pure warmth and fun that drew the audience even closer to the trio. Sisters Shobha and Smita shared anecdotes from their childhood, painting a portrait of siblings bound by deep affection, good-natured teasing, and a lifetime of shared memories. The emotional high point came when iconic singer Usha Uthup encouraged Shashi to sing; he obliged with the beloved Hindi song “Phoolon ka taron ka,” dedicating it to his sisters as the hall softly joined in. For a few minutes, the seasoned parliamentarian and public intellectual disappeared, replaced by a brother serenading his siblings under the warm gaze of an adoring audience. The evening was part of “Tete-a-Tea,” a signature series of freewheeling interactive sessions with celebs and prominent achievers, conceptualized by Kolkata-based culturist and philanthropist Sundeep Bhutoria. Organized by the Prabha Khaitan Foundation, often in collaboration with like-minded organizations, the series aims to create intimate, candid spaces where public figures can move beyond speeches and soundbites to share their stories, struggles, and convictions. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the article are media marketing initiative and do not represent the stand and views of Mid-Day Group. Mid-Day Group disclaims any and all liability to any party, company or product for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from the use of this content.