You'd think that having being the site of carnage a few weeks ago, Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel would take its time to pick up the pieces.
That couldn’t be more wrong – the iconic landmark is set to again welcome guests to the 200-odd rooms of its Tower Wing starting December 21, just 25 days after it was attacked by militants.
The Palace Wing, the other section of the 565-room hotel, will not be functional until later next year.
A company spokesman said that while the landmark suffered extensive damage, (carpets were burnt in the melee and numerous bullet holes now riddle the marble walls and ceilings), the section is structurally safe.
On the night of the reopening, clerics of seven different faiths will conduct services to bless the hotel starting at 1900. The event will also see its popular outlets come to life once more – The Zodiac Grill, Souk, Masala Kraft, Aquarius, Shamiana, Starboard and La Patisserie as well as the Rooftop Rendezvous Banquet Hall and the Chamgers.
Room rates will range from US$250 to US$37l.
“To reopen the Taj with such speed but with no loss of attention to details shows our resolve to commemorate all the innocent and brave people who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks,” said Raymond Bickson, managing director and CEO of The Indian Hotels Company Limited, which owns the Taj chain.
In addition, the Taj Public Service Welfare Trust fund has also been set up to help the victims of the incident. “In their honor, the Taj will shine again in all its brilliance,” Raymond promised.
In full-page print advertisements, the 105-year hotel is pictured with the following declaration: “I have held my ground as human history has unfolded in its timeless procession of laughter and tears, courage and cowardice, good and evil. I will prevail."
The objective of the Taj Public Service Welfare Trust is to provide immediate relief to all victims of the recent attack, including the families of those who were killed, whether the public, security forces, employees of the Taj or employees of other establishments affected by the terrorists. This Trust will continue to discharge its mandate in the coming years, specifically covering relief to victims of sudden acts of violence, natural disasters, and other tragic events that inflict damage to life and property. Efforts are being made to secure approvals for receiving foreign donations.
Donations to the Taj Public Service Welfare Trust fund can be made to: The Taj Public Service Welfare Trust, Mandlik House, 2nd Floor, Mandlik Road, Colaba, Mumbai 400 001, tel 91 22 6639 5515, [email protected].
Visit www.tajhotels.com for more details.
He Ruiming
