Yesterday was my first day back in Mumbai after the terror attacks on 26/11. The result of the attack was my December visit was postponed by corporate policies. Even though at the time I thought the best show of support was to just get on with it. So yesterday I had a hankering to go down and see the Taj. It wasn’t out of any form of morbid curiosity, it was my own personal little protest that simply said you can’t keep me away.
Arriving in the area there were lots of people. Not sure if it was just a Sunday crowd hanging or if they were also there to make the trek. Probably a little of both. My visit was also only hours after the Mumbai Marathon had run. So it was busy around the Gateway to India. And the “tourist horse carts” had moved in and were busy.
I went into the Taj. They have changed the traffic flows and security is definitely increased. You now go through a scanner to enter etc. How good is the security really? Hard to tell although I’d make a similar comment about US airports. Inside on the back left there is a small memorial that lists the names of those that died set against the Tree of Life. It’s somber and the lights in the lobby are generally dimmed. In the old wing where most of the damage was done, the stores are still plying their trade although the lovely restaurant, Sea Lounge, where afternoon tea was an institution was closed. There was no real reason to stay long and some of the streets nearby called.
For Mumbaikers I think the Taj and terrorist attacks remain on everyone’s mind. Government failed here. Add to that the recent Satyam fraud and India is really at a point where it must decide what type of society it is going to become. Both events may have happened just in time. The branded me-me want-want society is taking some time to pause and I hope reflect much as Americans are. It is time to think harder about how we all live together and create a better society.
