Saturday, November 29, 2008

We will rebuild Every Inch!!

On Wednesday 26th November, a large, well prepared and ruthless terrorist gang launched simultaneous suicide attacks on more than ten locations across Mumbai. Such a level of deadly force applied in a sophisticated attack took the whole country and all its agencies by surprise. The nature of the attacks was to indiscriminately take life in a number of publicly accessible places.
These included the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers, other hotels, a restaurant and public transport locations & a public hospital. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and deep personal respects to all the members of the National Security Guard, Rapid Action Force, Mumbai Police, Marine Commandos & Grenadiers Regiment (Indian Army) who gave their lives or risked their lives as they confronted the terrorist attackers.
Our thoughts also remain with all those who lost their lives during the attacks - our guests, our staff and their families and many other fellow citizens of Mumbai.




The Taj is very much a symbol of India and we are actually seeing a battle on and we will be defiant. We are monitoring the development of the unfortunate situation unfolding in South Mumbai, in and around our hotel and are fully cooperating with the police and the government authorities to ensure the safety and security of all our guests and staff.
That is all we can say at the moment and we would like to channelise all our effort and energy to ensure a speedy normalisation of the situation as best as we can.
We will rebuild every inch that has been damaged in this attack and bring back the Taj to its full glory.
- The Indian Hotels Company Ltd Statement on 27th November 2008.




The terrible wanton attacks last night on innocent people and the destruction of prominent landmarks in India deserve to be universally condemned.
My sympathies and condolences go out to all those who have suffered, been injured, and those who have lost their loved ones in this terrible act of hatred and destruction. It is important that divisive forces were not allowed to weaken the country. We must stand together, shoulder to shoulder as citizens of India, and rebuild what has been destroyed.
We must show that we cannot be disabled or destroyed, but that such heinous act will only make us stronger. We need to overcome these forces as one strong unified nation.
-Ratan Naval Tata, Chairman Tata Sons on 27th November 2008.


When the property is handed back to our full control, we will commission a range of professionals to carry out studies of the structure, services, the extent of fire damage and all other aspects of the condition of the building.
Nothing can compensate for the terrible loss of life across the city of Mumbai over the past few days and the impact on families and loved ones.
But the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower stands as an icon of the city of Mumbai, a symbol of both independence and dignity. It will also stand in the future as a representation of the indomitable human spirit of the people of Mumbai displayed in the face of the greatest adversity.
- The Indian Hotels Company Ltd Statement on 29th Novembe 2008.

2 comments:

SIM said...

A humble salute to The Taj family... God speed!

Anahat said...

@Sim

thanks!