Two hostage hotels re-open in Mumbai
Güncelleme Tarihi:
AFP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Aralık 22, 2008 00:00
MUMBAI - Two luxury hotels that were stormed by Islamist militants re-opened amid tight security in Mumbai yesterday, less than a month after devastating attacks that rocked India's financial and entertainment hub.
The Trident and Taj Mahal hotels received their first guests since the carnage, with staff praised for their dedication and resilience as others called for defiance in the face of extremism.
’New era’
Ratan Tata, the head of the Tata Group conglomerate that owns the Taj, dedicating the relaunch to all those who lost their lives, said the swift reopening of the hotel's modern Tower wing was the start of a "new era."
"I believe that the opening of this hotel will send a message that we can come alive again in a record period of time and play a role and continue to be part of this great city," he told reporters.
The 105-year-old Palace wing of the Taj remains closed but Tata said its reopening "would send an even stronger message, not just for the Taj but for the community of Mumbai that we can be hurt but we cannot be knocked down."
Both hotels were officially reopened after commemoration services, where prayers were said by religious leaders for the 163 civilians and security personnel who died and the nearly 300 others who were injured. Some 22 guests and 10 staff were killed at the Trident, while 31 people died at the iconic Taj, including 12 employees.
Staff at both hotels have won high praise for their work during and after the attacks. R.K. Krishna Kumar, vice-chairman of the Indian Hotels Company that runs the Taj, described employees as "heroes," while Trident Hotels President Rattan Keswani said he felt "deep pride" in all his staff.
The attacks - by 10 heavily-armed gunmen allegedly belonging to the Laskhar-e-Taiba group - led to cancellations at hotels across India. Security was tight, with armed guards at both hotels. Roads around the Taj have been sealed since the shooting stopped on Nov. 29, while access to the Trident was severely restricted. Luggage scanners have been placed at entrances, while guests had their identification checked.
’New era’
Ratan Tata, the head of the Tata Group conglomerate that owns the Taj, dedicating the relaunch to all those who lost their lives, said the swift reopening of the hotel's modern Tower wing was the start of a "new era."
"I believe that the opening of this hotel will send a message that we can come alive again in a record period of time and play a role and continue to be part of this great city," he told reporters.
The 105-year-old Palace wing of the Taj remains closed but Tata said its reopening "would send an even stronger message, not just for the Taj but for the community of Mumbai that we can be hurt but we cannot be knocked down."
Both hotels were officially reopened after commemoration services, where prayers were said by religious leaders for the 163 civilians and security personnel who died and the nearly 300 others who were injured. Some 22 guests and 10 staff were killed at the Trident, while 31 people died at the iconic Taj, including 12 employees.
Staff at both hotels have won high praise for their work during and after the attacks. R.K. Krishna Kumar, vice-chairman of the Indian Hotels Company that runs the Taj, described employees as "heroes," while Trident Hotels President Rattan Keswani said he felt "deep pride" in all his staff.
The attacks - by 10 heavily-armed gunmen allegedly belonging to the Laskhar-e-Taiba group - led to cancellations at hotels across India. Security was tight, with armed guards at both hotels. Roads around the Taj have been sealed since the shooting stopped on Nov. 29, while access to the Trident was severely restricted. Luggage scanners have been placed at entrances, while guests had their identification checked.