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Taj and Trident reopen, put the past behind

Rahi Gaikwad

Ratan Tata dedicates re-opening to terror attack victims, says tragedy has united Mumbai

Exquisite artwork to be restored
Oberoi hotel and the old building of the Taj will re-open later

PHOTO: SHASHI ASHIWAL

IT'S BUSINESS AGAIN: Ratan Tata, Chairman of Indian Hotels Company Ltd., flanked by MD and CEO of Taj Hotels and Resorts and Palaces Raymond Bickson (to his right) and Vice- Chairman of Indian Hotels R.K. Krishnakumar, makes an address at the reopening of the Tower wing of the Taj in Mumbai on Sunday. "We can be hurt but not knocked down," Mr. Tata said shortly after the re-opening, which comes within a month of the terror attack on the hotel.

Mumbai: The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower lit up with cheer on Sunday evening as it reopened its doors to a thousand guests for a private soiree.

Addressing journalists, Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata said that he felt considerable pride that the hotel was able to put the past behind and veer itself back on track.

“I am a person who hates to look back. I look at it [the re-opening] as the commencement of a new era. To us it was a challenge to have the hotel re-open in some form within a month of the attack. It is a tribute to everybody who has worked on to have this happen and we stand before you.”

Responding to questions, Mr. Tata said that the tragedy had done more than unite corporate India.

Will send a message

“It has united the citizens of Mumbai. We propose to dedicate this reopening of the hotel to the people who have lost their lives and we believe that the opening of this hotel will send a message that we come alive in a record period of time and play host to everyone as part of this great city,” he said.

Talking about the security upgrade at the hotel, he said the heightened measures would certainly be in place, but their knowledge would be covert.

At a press conference on Saturday addressed by R.K. Krishna Kumar, Vice Chairman, Indian Hotels Company Ltd., owners of the Taj, he said that places, which were completely gutted, were an opportunity to create new designs, redefine spaces and offer better facilities to guests.

The hotel has a Rs. 1000-crore insurance policy covering loss of profit and damages. The restoration cost will be way below this limit, Mr. Kumar said.

Looking forward, the hotel has to achieve a blend of beauty and elegance with technology (for security), he said. “We have gone to the finest intelligence organisations in the world.”

Talking about the situation in the aftermath of the attack, he said the scenes in the hotel had an extraordinary impact. In the kitchen, there was a pool of blood.

On November 26, there was 77 per cent occupancy at the hotel. In numbers, it is over 400 rooms and over 700 guests. “We have assessed 31 casualties, out of which 12 are staff.”

Mr. Kumar said that all the employees of the heritage building will continue in their positions.

Ten per cent of some exquisite artwork at the hotel has been damaged, he said but nothing was beyond repair.

The press event was also attended by Raymond Bickson, Managing Director and CEO.

A prayer for all

A multi-religion prayer ceremony rang in the message of peace at the Trident hotel here on Sunday. The lobby looked like a tableau with the staff positioned on the staircases, religious heads lined up on the podium, tabla and harmonium players sitting on the dais nearby and a gathering of guests in the centre.

Jain, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Jew, Muslim, Christian and Zoroastrian religious leaders came forward to pray for peace, happiness, love and goodwill for all those affected by the terror attacks.

Appeals for low-key celebrations

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal attended the event. Mr. Chavan called it a “solemn ceremony.” He said life had to come back to normality. However, he appealed to the citizens to keep New Year celebrations a low-key affair.

A multi-religion ceremony was also held at the Taj hotel earlier. Mr. Kumar said that it was a step to “cleanse the hotel of all evil and bring in peace.”

While the Taj and the Trident re-opened on Sunday, the Oberoi hotel and the old building or the heritage wing of the Taj will open later. Both suffered severe damage in the attack and their restoration is expected to last many months.

After seven months

The Oberoi will reopen only after at least seven months, said Rattan Keswani, president, Trident Hotels.

Mr. Kumar of the Taj said work on restoring the heritage wing is on. The northern part, which is less affected, is likely to open by February next year.

The southern part, which literally served as a combat base camp, will take longer.

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