Attack on Taj is an attack on Democratic India
Of all the places that were witness to the attack, none is more important than the Taj Mahal Hotel. The Taj was built at the start of the 20th Century by Jamshedji Nusserwanji Tata the founder of the Tata Empire. He built this hotel when he saw a sign outside the then famous Monginis restaurant that announced "Dogs and Indians Not Allowed Inside Hotel".
That spurred him to build the grandest biggest hotel in India and at that time the world. The Taj, standing on the shoreline of Bombay, would be the first sight that people would see as they sailed into Bombay Harbor. Steamships would dock in Bombay and the tourists would come to the land and dine and wine at the Taj.
J N Tata built the Taj as a slap in the face of Imperialist British India. Tata did not live to see India become independent but he laid the foundation of what would later become one of the best known icons of the country.
Today the hotel is in dire state because of the attacks and the fire.
Indian Hotels Co Ltd, which owns the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, expects to rebuild the iconic hotel “inch by inch”, vice-chairman RK Krishna Kumar said on Thursday.
The first attack at the Taj Mahal Palace took place in the heritage wing of the hotel. The dome was severely damaged. The south block and some part of the northern area has also been damaged. The hotel has also lost a large number of its staff, including five chefs, in the attack, Kumar said.
Kumar said the hotel looked like a battle zone. The Taj Mahal Palace, he said, is a symbol of resurgent India and that is why it was attacked.
Later in the day, expressing concern at the damage caused, Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata said the city lacks crisis management infrastructure. Tata said the hotel staff would be compensated amply. “We feel rather helpless. We are out of the property… We will do whatever we can. We will not be stingy and will reward and compensate the staff for the hardships.” [link]
There is no doubt that Tata and Sons, the parent company of Indian Hotels will rebuild the Taj back to its glory and grandeur. It is too dear a landmark to all of Bombay, and India.
Extracted message from a blog (eye opening)
Spirit of Mumbai
Again spirit of mumbai not got hurt. They are back to work in spite of terror attack on their house killing their family members, friends which destroyed their reputation globally. (they are called as soft state globally , because they are secular citizens)
Mumbaikers are currently busy talking to their friends and relatives sharing their own or some one elses experience on the incident. They are again trading in stock market which opened today to make money (try to get advantage of situation in bearish market) in spite of 200 dead bodies just lying within 5km from the stock market. They will again praise the economic PM of India for his fighting spirit, will again elect him because he brings in money to them though he failed miserably on terror front and will forget this incident after next attack. Again BOLLY WOOD WILL MAKE ONE MOVIE AND ONE ENCOURAGING SONG ON SALAM MUMBAI ! WOW.
They will be attacked again but they will see on TV helplessly for hours and next day again will go back to work (considering the attack like TV opera). They are just waiting for their own turn like a goat waits in slaughter house but will not come out to the streets (that job is outsourced to poor and politicians as its a dirty job for them and no time for faltu things better watch a movie yaar) to pursue govt to attack neighbours but how they can do this because India is a good and responsible neighbour and never attacked any country for 5,000 proud years. common mumbaikers don’t fool yourself how many times you will take this kind of situation as usual? as a citizen you have to go to street to pressurise govt. to take action. remember independent days? Go with your friends and relatives to mantralaya before its too late and before any bullet wounds you or your husband, your son or father. ( just imagine your life without them)
Probably you guys wouldn’t do all this, as you are too busy tomorrow as you have not gone to work for last two days
if you do not want to do ANY THING don’t curse the govt. because they are also like you only. NO ACTION just pay Rs. 500,000 for dead and 50,000 to injured. they can do this because INDIA is now economic super power. at least this is the benefit of being super power value of dead body has gone up just like GDP growth