Taj--The Luxury hotel Reopens!!!

I was glad to read the reports on reopening of Taj and after viewing the pictures posted with it, I felt it was a day of pride and love for all Indians that the Taj have reopened in such a short time after the terror attacks. Indian Hotels Chairman Ratan Tata today said the restored iconic Taj hotel that opened three weeks after the terror attacks will be dedicated to those who lost their lives in the siege.

The November 26 mayhem killed nearly 180 people besides causing extensive damage to the hotel. It was a challenge to have the hotel reopen within one month of refurbishment but the entire hotel will be opened by end-2009.

A press statement issued by the company said it has unveiled a memorial in salutation to all of those who lost their lives in the hotel during the terrorist attacks. The names of the 31 people who died in the attack will be inscribed at its base. There is still much work to do, but they are all determined to rebuild the Taj brick by brick until it outshines even its former glories. The reopening of Taj was blessed with hopes from people all over of standing again for the next 100 years, just as it had for the 103 years that have passed.

General Manager of the Taj Mahal Hotel, Karambir Kang whose wife and two minor sons were killed in the November terror attack, returned to work on Sunday. The new phenomenon of terror tourism seems to have taken root in the metropolis with tourists and even locals preferring to have themselves 'shot' against the backdrop of the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel instead of the historic Gateway of India. That brings some business back to the photographers.

"Mumbai seems to have returned to normalcy". But what about Terrorism?? Should we let this activity hamper our prosperity and serenity again? We the Indians have shown solidarity in the past. “United we stand and divided we fall”. There was time when we joined hands and got independence .Now is the time again striking together and wish for miracles. We should be bold enough to deter and stop terrorist. Instead of getting scared, we should scare them with our resolve to fight back.

We, the team “Grey Matterz” , would like to convey our heartiest wishes to Mr. Ratan Tata and to everyone behind the scenes that have made this a reality in such a short time after 26/11 as the world watched in horror the devastating attacks on the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai.

Posted By:Jaspreet

Terrorists Act. Mumbaikars React.

I really do not understand that why does a single image, single news headline, single act has an effect that is more than watching or listening hundred tragical stories. The feeling of the American achievement being reduced to towers of flames was the same as Taj Mahal hotel blazing brightly in the Mumbai night; both the times the causes were small group of Jehadis.

The most shocking thing is that the terrorists were able to disrupt the life of South Mumbai, which has Bombay of old money, of Cumballa and Malabar Hill, of the towers of Nariman Point, of the Queen’s Necklace, of the colonial clubs, of the High Court, of the University and yes, of the Taj and the Oberoi. The old residents say that this is "The Real Bombay". The others say it is "The Boring Mumbai".

The attack on the old, calm and composed Bombay had a hidden message from terrorists which says, "Nothing is sacred, and that nobody is safe. No matter what you all did to protect yourselves, we can stride into centers of well-protected privilege and open fire at will".

As Vir Sanghvi says, "When the Taj went up in flames, so did a vision of Indian privilege.It showed us that terrorism is the great equalizer. There maybe two Bombays, two Indias even. But there is only one kind of terrorism. And it affects us all".

I am Safe. But, for How Long ?

After the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, I called up a friend to ask how is she doing. She said, "I am Safe. But, for How Long"? Her pathos and helplessness found a deep echo within me. Aren't you all optimistic to the core and believe that we should not live in the shadow of fear? But, slowly within we manage to lull ourselves into a sense of security and once again, let life take over.

It actually does not matter the amount of platitudes you may mouth, but the truth lies in watching terror unfold on the idiot box satisfying voyeuristic instincts, similar to a movie. And then you survive with the audacious claim that terror would not touch your lives. Somehow, I have always been astonished with the striking of terror when one expects it the least. We walk in dread and watch every step for ages, and then the one day we least expect, it accosts us. Seeing the pics makes you believe the cryings, the cursings, the ravings and disbeliefs that all the people went through.

So what do we do ? Light a candle, but will it help. I doubt ?

Just because almost all the terrorist acts in recent years have involved Muslims as the perpetrators, and because of the fetish of appeasing the minority Muslim community at any cost, our soft national psyche inherited from Gandhi, our response to terrorism has become a combination of impotence and vote bank politics sought to be covered by rhetoric and pleas for peace. Come on man, give a normal Indian a break. Almost all the terrorist acts that our country has gone through has a collective national response which is reactive rather than active, defensive rather than offensive. Public statements are issued, action is promised. Period. Nothing else really happens.

Why do our politicians wait untill a colossal and unbelievable act of terror paralyses the entire country into a daze? And there's that impractical concern for "guilty beyond reasonable doubt" even in matters of terrorism. If cockroaches had votes and rats had a religion, our politicians would enact a law prohibiting killing of those two living species as well.

When will our country stop having an attitude towards terrorism which is not tepid and timid, castrated and impotent ?