The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower - A Tribute

MUMBAI, India, November 27 /PRNewswire/ -- On 26th of November 2009, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel, Mumbai saw the coming together of employees and families of staff members, for a remembrance meeting that paid respects to those who lost their lives last year. There were multi faith prayers held for peace and harmony. The gathering was attended by Chairman of Indian Hotels Company Ltd, Mr Ratan N Tata and Vice Chairman Mr R.K Krishnakumar.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091127/368844 )

The evening at The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower started on a somber note, with Mr. Ratan N Tata unveiling the new permanent memorial at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace & Tower lobby. The memorial has the names of the thirty one fallen inscribed as a permanent homage to those brave and innocent people. The memorial unveiling was followed by a private staff and employee gathering which was also attended by family members of the martyrs.

Addressing his staff and employees in a very heartfelt and moving speech, Mr. Ratan N Tata - Chairman, Indian Hotels Company Ltd. said, "I consider this a great privilege to be here today as we recognize, pay tribute and memorialize to those we lost both at the hotel and in the city. We made a commitment to rebuild this building brick by brick and stone by stone and this commitment still stands. They tried to knock us down but they could not kill us. The attack did not scare us but it made us stronger. We have risen again stronger with greater spirit"

Speaking at the function, Mr. R K Krishnakumar - Vice Chairman, Indian Hotels Company Ltd. said, "Last 12 months we have lived in a shadow of catastrophe. It was an astonishing blow to us when 31 precious lives were lost on the property. I believed that those who planned and conspired these attacks have failed. In my various meetings of the employees in last 12 months, I have found a strange force across the group. I believe that men of evil can inflict physical damage but can never destroy dominant spirit of the people. This is a time to pay homage to the departed souls and pay tribute to the courageous ones. The time comes when you have to bury the past and the time is now. I urge people to move forward with courage and conviction because the future is in our hand"

He also added that the entire hotel will be reopened in the next few months.

Mr. Raymond Bickson - Managing Director, Indian Hotels Company Ltd., acknowledged each and every employee for their selfless commitment and bravery.

The remembrance meeting ended with a powerful choir rendition of Hum Hoonge Kamayab.

About Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

Established in 1903, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of Asia's largest and finest group of hotels, comprising 66 hotels in 45 locations across India with an additional 15 international hotels in the Maldives, Malaysia, Australia, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts to authentic Rajput palaces, each Taj hotel offers an unrivalled fusion of warm Indian hospitality, world-class service and modern luxury. The Taj, a symbol of Indian hospitality, completed the centenary of its landmark hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India's premier business house.

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