Gambit Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 I reached the Taj around 4. There were lots of people present outside the Gateway of India to witness the reopening of a Mumbai icon. I made my way to the Taj entrace where there must have been atleast a 100 print and TV journalists. Karamvir Kang was greeting the invitees at the door. The Taj and Mr.Kang are mirror images of each other. Tall, resilient, unbreakable and stoic. That man is made of steel. After we were ushered in, I saw lots of familiar faces from the corporate, advertising and political worlds. Then came the moment I will remember for a long time. I shook hands and exchanged a few words with someone I greatly admire - Ratan Tata. That man is an utter legend. The reopening ceremony was kickstarted with a few speeches by some members of the Taj management. 5 priests from 5 different religions recited prayers from their holy books blessing Taj, Mumbai and India. The national anthem was played. The staff that was present in Taj on the 26th(when the attacks took place) came one by one and people applauded these great men and women. The Taj staff, who laid down their lives while trying to save others, were commemorated. Some people broke down. Ratan Tata spoke about being hurt but not being knocked down. I left when tea was served. Spoke to a Taj valet who had been on duty on the 26th. His story about how he managed to avoid the rain of bullets and how he managed to fight the black smoke and fire and make his way out of there was spinetingling.
suraj Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 I reached the Taj around 4. There were lots of people present outside the Gateway of India to witness the reopening of a Mumbai icon. I made my way to the Taj entrace where there must have been atleast a 100 print and TV journalists. Karamvir Kang was greeting the invitees at the door. The Taj and Mr.Kang are mirror images of each other. Tall, resilient, unbreakable and stoic. That man is made of steel. After we were ushered in, I saw lots of familiar faces from the corporate, advertising and political worlds. Then came the moment I will remember for a long time. I shook hands and exchanged a few words with someone I greatly admire - Ratan Tata. That man is an utter legend. The reopening ceremony was kickstarted with a few speeches by some members of the Taj management. 5 priests from 5 different religions recited prayers from their holy books blessing Taj, Mumbai and India. The national anthem was played. The staff that was present in Taj on the 26th(when the attacks took place) came one by one and people applauded these great men and women. The Taj staff, who laid down their lives while trying to save others, were commemorated. Some people broke down. Ratan Tata spoke about being hurt but not being knocked down. I left when tea was served. Spoke to a Taj valet who had been on duty on the 26th. His story about how he managed to avoid the rain of bullets and how he managed to fight the black smoke and fire and make his way out of there was spinetingling. Many thanks for posting this- wish I was there too !
Holysmoke Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 Great stuff Gambo. I can imagine how it must have been. I wish I could have been there.
kumble_rocks Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 I wish I was there too. I am glad that Taj has re-opened in-spite of the extent of the damage. I hope the families of those staff, who laid down their lives while trying to save others will get some sort of re-numeration from the Taj management.
Guest dada_rocks Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 Reading thsi gives me goose-bumps so you shook hand of the great man...:two_thumbs_up:
beetle Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 I wish I was there too. I am glad that Taj has re-opened in-spite of the extent of the damage. I hope the families of those staff' date=' who laid down their lives while trying to save others will get some sort of re-numeration from the Taj management.[/quote'] Taj trust for terror victims New Delhi, Dec. 14 (PTI): The Taj Group today announced it would set up a trust to provide immediate relief to families of victims of the November 26 Mumbai terror attacks. The Taj Public Service Welfare Trust will help the families of all those killed — the general public, the security forces and employees of the Taj or other establishments affected — the Taj Group said in a statement. The decision came in the wake of an outpouring of offers of help from India and abroad, the statement added. The trustees of the fund include Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata, vice-chairman of Indian Hotels Company Ltd R.K. Krishna Kumar and Tata Group vice-chairman N.A. Soonawala. Besides the Tata-run Indian Hotels Company, the Sir Dorab Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust will make significant initial contributions. The statement said the welfare trust would continue to discharge its mandate in the coming years, specifically offering relief to victims of sudden acts of violence, natural disasters and other tragic events that inflict damage to life and property. Applications are being made to obtain approvals, including from the government for receiving foreign donations, so that the trust can start immediate relief measures, it said. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081215/jsp/nation/story_10253391.jsp
beetle Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 >>> I shook hands and exchanged a few words with someone I greatly admire - Ratan Tata. That man is an utter legend. Lucky you!:two_thumbs_up:
King Tendulkar Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 Wonderful thread. Brilliant Gambit:two_thumbs_up:
Rajiv Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 You were in Mumbai coincidentally or went there for this, or were sent by work?
Rajiv Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 >>> I shook hands and exchanged a few words with someone I greatly admire - Ratan Tata. That man is an utter legend. Lucky you!:two_thumbs_up: I have done it too, but at a different time ( not in grief )
beetle Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 I have done it too' date=' but at a different time ( not in grief )[/quote'] Kab?
Rajiv Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 1996, when I worked there - but not during work ( after work ) in the coffee shop
PaiN_KiLLeR Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 Extremely touching. The comparison between Karamvir Kang and the Taj is apt.
Ram Posted December 22, 2008 Posted December 22, 2008 Must have been a very poignant, low-key occasion.
Gambit Posted December 23, 2008 Author Posted December 23, 2008 You were in Mumbai coincidentally or went there for this' date=' or were sent by work?[/quote'] Was in Mumbai for the weekend. An invite for this event was lying around, so I went. Must have been a very poignant' date=' low-key occasion.[/quote'] Very poignant but hardly low-key. The place was swarming with journalists.
Ram Posted December 24, 2008 Posted December 24, 2008 Very poignant but hardly low-key. The place was swarming with journalists. I was meaning to say sombre. I guess there would have tonnes of tributed paid to the employees who either lost their lives or were injured.
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