Iconic Mumbai Hotels Open Doors Again

On Sunday, 21st December, the first guests checked back in to The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower. The hotel also witnessed tremendous support for its celebrated restaurants, 5 of which welcomed their first diners at 7:30 p.m. on December 21st. Each of these restaurants received full bookings for the evening. The reopening of the hotel’s Tower Wing, took place 24 days after the terrorist attack on the city of Mumbai.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of the Indian Hotels Company Ltd., said: "Today has been an incredibly moving day. The Taj has been reopened, after a massive concerted effort, in dedication to all of those who lost their lives in the attacks on Mumbai."

"We have heard many stories of magnificent courage and selfless service, not just in the acts of the police and security forces, but also by the staff of the hotel. They have set new standards that we can only hope to aspire to".

The Tree of Life, a memorial in salutation to all of those who lost their lives in the hotel during the terrorist attacks that commenced on the night of November 26th, was also unveiled at the hotel today. The names of the thirty one fallen will be inscribed at its base to bear permanent witness to those brave and innocent people.

"The loss of life across the city of Mumbai during the attacks was an incomprehensible tragedy. Thirty one people died during the attack on our hotel. Some were our innocent guests, some were our selfless staff and some were the courageous members of the police and security forces. We felt that it was fitting and proper for there to be a symbol of permanent remembrance for all of those who fell within the building", said Raymond Bickson, MD and CEO, Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces.

The basis of the memorial is an artwork designed by Jaidev Baghel. The Tree of Life formed part of the hotel’s art collection and originally stood on the fifth floor Grand Staircase area, under the dome where it withstood and survived the attack unscathed. This sculpture, approximately six feet tall is made of Brass, Bronze and Alloy casting. The Tree of Life is a powerful symbol for many cultures and is often related to immortality. The memorial to the people who lost their lives in the hotel is not therefore a symbol of loss, but a symbol of life in all its potency.

"We truly appreciate the efforts, dedication and the instances of courage which have been displayed by the various agencies during the crisis faced by the entire city, and I applaud all the policemen, firemen, medical services, navy and NSG commandos involved in reclaiming and returning the hotel. The efforts of our staff to allow us to reopen in such a magnificent and dignified fashion have also been utterly magnificent, adds Mr. Tata."

As a result of the attacks, the Taj has launched a fund to support all the victims of the attacks, not just at The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, but also across the entire city.

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Ratan N. Tata said: "There is still much work to do, but we are all determined to rebuild the Taj brick by brick until it outshines even its former glories".

The Trident portion of the Oberoi hotel complex also reopened on Sunday, though the main areas of both luxury hotels are expected to stay closed for months. But with the holidays approaching, the two landmarks rushed to woo guests back.

Police manned barricades outside the Taj Sunday night while armed, undercover guards kept watch inside. Everyone walking into the lobby was asked for proof of their hotel reservation. Visitors handed their bags over for inspection and walked through metal detectors as their luggage was scanned through X-ray screening machines.

Among those checking in was a Californian who survived the attacks. During the siege, Deepak Dutta, 50, said he spent 24 hours locked in his room — praying — before being rescued. Dutta said he checked into the very same room Sunday "to show the terrorists that our spirit cannot be shaken."

"The Taj is like a second home to me and the staff members are like my family," he said. "I’m happy that the Taj is back in action."

The majestic Taj Mahal — an icon of Indian pride and a playground for the global elite for over a century — and the sleek, sea-front Oberoi were among 10 sites targeted in the rampage. At the end of the militants’ 60-hour standoff with police, 164 people and nine gunmen were dead, including dozens of guests and staff members from the two hotels.

At the Oberoi complex’s Trident hotel, a Hindu priest chanted prayers and a Muslim cleric read from the Quran on Sunday. Hotel staff in ivory saris greeted guests with flowers.

Valere Tjolle