PTI
 
New Delhi, Oct 10: Several quarters of the Indian industry expressed shock and sorrow over the sudden demise of hotelier and Rajya Sabha member Lalit Suri in London on Tuesday following a heart attack.

Terming the demise of Lalit Suri as a great loss, CII President R Seshasayee said: "In Lalit Suri we have lost a very active member of the industry and an ace parliamentarian.

"His contribution in furthering the cause of the Indian industry, and the tourism and hospitality sector in particular was immense. He was highly admired. We will miss him." In a statement issued here today, Assocham President Anil Agarwal said, "Lalit Suri was a renowned hotelier and independent MP from Uttar Pradesh and was the Chairman and Managing Director of the Bharat Hotel chain. He was intensely associated with the Assocham in almost all its activities.

"The leading hotelier was known in business circles as an astute man with vision and was held in high esteem, both in India and the international community.

"Assocham sincerely mourns the sudden passing away of Lalit Suri," he said.

"I have personally lost a good friend and FICCI will miss a leader of his stature and experience. All members of FICCI across the country condole the sad and untimely demise of Lalit Suri and convey their deepest sympathies to his wife and family members," FICCI Chairman Saroj Kumar Poddar said.

Poddar described him as a "dynamic businessman" and one who as a Member of the Parliament was instrumental in policy change and reform.

As chairman of the FICCI Tourism Committee and senior member of the FICCI National Executive Committee, he had made a sterling contribution, Poddar said.