- Tuesday, March 04, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
Ritesh Agarwal, founder and chief executive officer of Softbank-backed OYO, a prominent name in the hospitality industry, recently called on Indian prime minister Narendra Modi with his mother and fiancee to invite him to his marriage next month.
The 29-year-old entrepreneur, who is one of the youngest Indian billionaires, later shared pictures of his meeting with the leader at the latter’s residence in New Delhi, on Instagram.
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In one of the pictures, the would-be couple were also seen touching the PM’s feet seeking his blessings for a “new beginning”.
Agarwal also honoured the prime minister by draping a shawl around his shoulders.
Sharing the pictures, he wrote, ”With the blessings of Pradhan Mantri @narendramodi ji, we are all set for a new beginning. Words cannot express the warmth with which he received us. My mother, who is inspired by his vision for women empowerment & Geet, from Express(Uttar) Pradesh, were heartened to meet him.
Thank you for sparing your valuable time & for your good wishes. Committed to enabling the growth of tourism and entrepreneurship in India across Rayagada, Gir, Ladakh, Rameswaram, Meghalaya and more!”
The marriage will be followed by a reception at a 5-star hotel in Delhi.
Agarwal, born in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, was only 19 when he founded OYO in 2012. OYO Rooms, which specialises in no-frills accommodation, was formed a year later.
OYO forms partnerships with budget hotels to help connect them to tourists who are looking for cheap but clean lodging which meets hygiene conditions.
OYO currently functions in more than 800 cities in 80 countries and is considered one of the fastest-growing hotel chains in the world.
