InfoAnda - Defiant Mumbai vows: 'The Taj will rise again'

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Music Review: New Jonas Bros disc is legit | 13 June 2009
Fusion-io soars in debut as appetite for tech companies rages | | 10 June 2011
UAW President Urges Union To Support Ford Concessions | 26 February 2009

Hitachi sees massive loss | 30 January 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Defiant Mumbai vows: 'The Taj will rise again'

Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: Defiant Mumbai vows: 'The Taj will rise again' AFP - Sunday, November 30 MUMBAI (AFP) - - "Good afternoon. Taj Mahal Palace and Tower. How can I help you?" Just hours after a deadly siege ended, staff at Mumbai's landmark hotel were back at work, giving the impression of business as usual. Defiance is a common trait in India's financial capital. Mumbaikars may have been temporarily cowed by the wave of coordinated attacks in the city that left nearly 200 dead, but nothing can stop them working -- and making money. Just as the hotel sought to get up and running again, albeit with the phones to reception diverted to another location, nearby businesses reopened. Locals, too, flocked to the iconic red-domed hotel, hoping it would bounce back soon. "The Taj is an institution in itself. It may belong to Ratan Tata but it belongs to the people of Mumbai and the people of India," the director of tourism for the government of Maharashtra state, Kiran Kurundkar, told AFP. "The Taj is a symbol of Mumbai's cosmopolitan culture. It's a melting pot, just like the city. It will definitely rise again." Built in 1903, the Taj Mahal was the vision of a Parsi industrialist called Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata. He commissioned the building after being refused entry to the Apollo Hotel, which had a strict Europeans-only policy. It quickly developed into the city's best hotel, seeing off the Apollo, which later closed, and became the place to stay and be seen for everyone from visiting monarchs and heads of state to rock stars and millionaire business people. Among the dignitaries who have stayed are Queen Elizabeth II, former Egyptian president Gamal Abdul Nasser and the legendary Beatle John Lennon. As emergency service workers in gloves and facemasks began the grim task of sifting through the charred building for bodies Saturday, hundreds of locals were curious about what had happened to the city's most famous building. "It is a treasure of our nation and a pride of Bombay," said shopkeeper Ahmed Yusuf Kazi, 53, among those surveying the damage from the British colonial era Gateway of India monument opposite. "I feel bad. (Ratan) Tata said he will fix it. That should be done. We hope that it should be just the same as it was before." Aradhana Singh gazed at the curtains fluttering in the light sea breeze through the smashed windows in the oldest section of the hotel, and the blackened interiors of its luxury ground floor shops and top end restaurants. Many of the hotel's 565 sumptuous rooms, which cost between 365 and 425 dollars a night, were gutted by the fierce fires during the bloody, three-night battle between the military and the extremists . "I wanted to see how it is," she said, casting an eye towards a black VIP car peppered with bullet holes. "When people come to Bombay they come to see the Taj. If they haven't been to the Taj Mahal they have at least seen it. "I don't think it's something that people will forget for a long time when people see the Taj." Brigitte Fernandes, an Indian-origin French national who lives in the city, described the Taj as "our landmark." "You just associate Bombay with the Taj. It's been there for ages," she added. "It's related to finance, to money, to the rich and the famous. It's so grand. Millionaires and tycoons... they are all there. "The French national day is always held in the Taj. It was the grandest ball in Mumbai," she reminisced. "People used to fight to get tickets. It was by invitation only." But she marvelled at how well the grand old building had held up under the relentless barrage from army grenade attacks and automatic weapons. "It still doesn't look like such a big battle has taken place inside. It still looks intact," she added. Lakshmi Rajukare, however, knows that the Taj, whatever people say, is not strictly for everyone. "I can't go in. We don't have entry because we are poor," she said. Still, she wants the hotel to get back up and running as soon as possible. For the past 30 years, the 45-year-old has slept in a park next to the Gateway of India and tried to sell toys and small gifts to the wealthy guests who emerged from its cordon bleu restaurants or fresh from the pool or spa. "Those who come from outside they would give 50 or 100 rupees (1-2 dollars). Some would pay school fees. Now nobody is staying at the Taj we won't be able to make any money," she told AFP. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (1 vote) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Asia Pacific British actor arrested after escaping real life Mumbai horrorAFP - 17 minutes ago Chaos reigns at Thailand's tourist airliftAFP - 28 minutes ago 300 Chinese cab drivers hold strike in south ChinaAP - 29 minutes ago India probes Pakistan links to Mumbai attacksAFP - 33 minutes ago India ends Mumbai rampage after 60 hours, 174 deadAP - 36 minutes ago Enlarge Photo Defiant Mumbai vows: 'The Taj will rise again' Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed World's oldest person dies at 115 years Love handles increase death risk: study Michael Jackson strikes 'amicable' deal with Arab sheikh Saudi king says 75 dollar oil price 'fair' Bomber strikes Shiite mosque after Iraq approves US pact View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular

Other News on Saturday, 29 November 2008
Chinese business delegations depart from Mumbai
A worried Mumbai tries to recover from fatal siege
A look at major attacks in India since 1993
SMA, WDA, Ngee Ann Polytechnic ink agreement on media training centre
Suspected US missile strike kills 2 in NW Pakistan
Jailed Hamas official has kidney stone removed
UN says 2 dead in attack near its Iraq compound
Russia imposes blackout on contested army reform: report
Hamas claims mortar attack on Israeli army base
World Bank presses aid to developing world to ease crisis
Iran blames West for global crisis | International |
WITNESS: Black Cats prowl Taj as gunfight ends Mumbai siege | International |
Suspected U.S. strike kills 2 in Pakistan | International |
Ex-Taliban spokesman killed in Afghanistan | International |
Nigerian army intervenes to end clashes in city | International |
Pakistan U-turns on sending spy chief to India
Police kill hostage-taker in China store | International |
Body of Singaporean killed in Mumbai expected back Sunday morning
UN, EC call for global stimulus at development meet
Zimbabwe offers free graves as cholera spreads | International |
Man with knife attacks Chinese Carrefour outlet
Singaporeans mourn the tragic death of Lo Hwei Yen
Main Bangkok airport closed at least until Monday
Police kill hostage-taking knifeman in Chinese supermarket: state media
FACTBOX-The plans and tactics of the Mumbai attackers
Saudi king says oil should be $75 per barrel
China: Sarkozy-Dalai Lama meeting threatens trade
Martial arts experts hope more people will take up the sport
Pakistan holds crisis talks after Mumbai atrocity
Indian forces kill last gunmen in Mumbai
Sri Lanka: 7 killed, 98,000 displaced by floods
Police flee checkpoint after protesters attack
UN says Bangladesh polls appear on right track
Pakistan pledges action on any group involved in Mumbai attacks
Sri Lanka: 4 killed, 71,000 displaced by floods
Travellers stranded in Bangkok returning to S’pore on rescue flights
Pakistan president warns India not to over-react
Sydney Opera House architect Joern Utzon dies
A look at confirmed foreigner deaths in Mumbai
Bridge linking Stadium Crescent and Tanjung Rhu to open on Sunday
Sri Lanka: Air force bombs rebel positions
Indian forces kill last gunmen in Mumbai; 195 dead
New media education & training centre to set up for working adults
100,000 stranded in Thailand after airports shut
All Blacks down England to seal rugby grand slam
Thai protesters attack police cordon near airport
RugbyU: Wales scalp Australia in rare win
Mumbai terror rage ends after 60 hours, 195 dead
Grenade wounds 46 protesters at Thai PM's office: emergency services
Official: Explosion at Thai protest site wounds 33
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim extends condolences to family of Lo Hwei Yen
Pakistan U-turns on sending spy chief to India
Barenboim debuts "Tristan" with passion, fatalism
India ends Mumbai rampage after 60 hours, 195 dead
India terror begins with corpses on train platform
Japan should acknowledge 'comfort women' pain: British MPs
India terror begins with corpses on train platform
Child in US custody fight adjusts to new country
Gaza incursion becoming more likely: Israel
US training Iraqis to defeat deadly roadside bombs
Ex-hostage Ingrid Betancourt returns to Colombia
At least 200 killed in clashes in Nigeria | International |
Iraq's top Shiite cleric has concerns over US pact
OPEC freezes crude output quota
Iraqis find 33 bodies beneath former Al-Qaeda 'court'
Betancourt on first visit to Colombia since rescue | International |
At least 381 dead after Nigeria clashes: witness
Report: Iran court upholds stoning death sentence
Congo rebel chief says war if no talks with government | International |
WITNESS: In the wreckage of Mumbai's Trident hotel | International |
WTO chief says expects ministerial decision next week | International |
80 whales stranded in Australia
Settlers clash with Palestinians in WBank city | International |
Iraq, US push for quick implemenation of forces deal
Obama buzz felt at global climate talks
Sydney Opera House to darken in mourning
Thai protesters attack police cordon near airport
Iraqi army finds 30 bodies in shallow graves | International |
More S’poreans trying out farmstay resort at Lim Chu Kang
80 whales stranded on rocks in Tasmania
Germany plans lab tests for airport naked scans | Technology |
First black box recovered from French jet crash
OPEC freezes crude output quota
Bush pledges full American support as India investigates attacks
OPEC ends Cairo meeting without new output cuts
Dutch cafe owners rally against smoking ban
PR actress Roselyn Sanchez marries Eric Winter
Live Earth concert in Mumbai cancelled: organisers
Crinolines -- for the well-dressed woman in a hurry
'Christmas Story' fans celebrate film's 25th year
Attacks push India and Pakistan into deep water: analysts
India ends Mumbai rampage after 60 hours, 195 dead
Australia mourns 'genius' Sydney Opera House designer
Greenland sees education as key to independence
India's Jews stunned by Mumbai attack
Protest blasts wound dozens as Thai tensions rise
Defiant Mumbai vows: 'The Taj will rise again'
UN says Bangladesh polls appear on right track
Israel keeps Gaza borders sealed
British soldiers shoot Afghan policeman dead: military
Indian anger rises as Mumbai cleans up | International |
Thai grenade attack stokes tension ahead of rally | International |
Endeavour set to land in Florida, weather permitting
Hundreds of South Koreans leave North before clampdown | International |
World AIDS Day highlights big challenges 20 years on
Endeavour set to land in Florida, weather permitting
China's richest man thrown into spotlight amid probe | International |
Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew recovering after surgery
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,206
Aide: India's home minister offers to resign
SKorea's Hyundai Motor cuts domestic production
Citigroup to sell trust banking unit in Japan: reports
150 whales die in stranding in Australia
Indian home minister resigns: source
Chinese leader says China losing competitive edge
Report: Citigroup to sell Japan trust banking unit
NZealand air force to monitor Japanese whalers: defence minister
Taiwanese motorcyclists mark AIDS Day
Britain readies new measures as UN steers aid to poor nations
NATO kills Afghan policeman driving at patrol
OPEC braces for tough times as global recession bites
OPEC braces for tough times as global recession bites
T.I. fends off Beyonce | Entertainment |
Sri Lanka resumes advance on rebel HQ
China losing competitive edge amid crisis: President Hu
Mumbai attacks chill India economic prospects: analysts
Belgian TV news crew beaten in China | Entertainment |
Thai protests crushing for tourism, business, economy: experts
33 protesters wounded in Bangkok explosion
Sydney Opera House to darken in mourning
In the kitchen with France's sole three-star woman chef
Bohemian New Yorkers make art sexy again
Indonesia's vast Papua in the grip of Asia's worst AIDS crisis
'Europe's last dictatorship' gets Western PR makeover
80 whales die in stranding in Australia
300 Chinese cab drivers hold strike in south China
India ends Mumbai rampage after 60 hours, 174 dead
Chaos reigns at Thailand's tourist airlift
India probes Pakistan links to Mumbai attacks
British actor arrested after escaping real life Mumbai horror
72 whales die in mass stranding in Australia: official
China may legalize horse betting: state media
51 protesters wounded in Bangkok explosions
ASEAN summit could be put back to March: Thai foreign minister
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01