I am writing this blog post from Mumbai which is currently under a terrorist siege. I have been traveling in India for the past month and have just come back to my base in South Mumbai which since last night has been the scene of a well planned and coordinated terrorist attack. The main focus of these attacks has been the two super luxury hotels located in South Mumbai – the iconic Taj Mahal and Palace Hotel and the Oberoi and Trident Hotels. These hotels are the premier hotels of the city of Mumbai and are the top choice for business meetings, award functions and high- end leisure travelers. Both these hotels have been under siege since 10pm(IST) last night with scores of hotel guests having been killed and also being held hostage. I have been watching the events unfold live on television and have even heard two explosions that took place at the Oberoi Hotel. I can’t believe the images that I am seeing on TV and am hoping that the siege ends soon so that the trapped guests and staff of both hotels can get out safe.
Both hotels have been extensively damaged due to the successive grenade and sniper attacks. In fact the heritage wing of the Taj which housed its most expensive suite was on fire early this morning. The Taj Mahal and Palace Hotel has for long been used as symbol of Mumbai as it overlooks one of Mumbai’s most well known landmarks the Gateway of India and this dastardly attack on the hotel and its guests is a tantamount to a strike at the heart of this city. I like many residents of Mumbai have frequented this hotel innumerable times as I have wined and dined at its many restaurants and also attended many a wedding which has been held here at the Taj which is a favored spot for elaborate Indian weddings. In fact I was scheduled to take my mother in law for high tea at the Taj’s Sea lounge restaurant later today as she was coming to visit my family from New Delhi where she is vacationing. Needless to say she has canceled her trip to this city.
In recent times terrorist attacks have been concentrated on soft targets like hotels in major cities which are difficult to secure and are the epicenters of business and leisure activities. This trend does not augur well for travel and tourism at all for I am sure that hotels will soon have to introduce elaborate security measures like airports and airlines in order to somewhat secure themselves and their guests. Yes this will be a major inconvenience but I do think it will have to be done if it can ensure safety of travelers.
In the meanwhile the owners of the Taj Mahal and Palace Hotel, the Tata group who also own and manage many hotels worldwide including the prestigious Pierre Hotel on Fifth Avenue in New York City have just released a statement that they will rebuild each inch of the damaged historic hotel so that it will restored to its former glory. I am heartened to hear this as I have been extremely distressed to see the damage and destruction that has been inflicted on this iconic hotel by the heartless terrorists who have no consideration for human life or anything else.
Images of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the Oberoi Hotel Mumbai originally posted on http://www.flickr.com by k travasso and Zephyr.
