They’re rightfully an ode to the city’s spirit. For Mumbai’s two top hotels — the Taj and the Oberoi that faced terror in 2008, and have risen to top form post that — only walk in synonymous stride when it comes to a question of resilience and fortitude, that is such a part of Mumbai.
Historian Sharada Dwivedi (who has just written a book on the Taj with noted British writer Charles Allen) says, “The Taj was the first hotel that opened to Indians during the British rule and so it became an icon from day one. Today, God knows how many people go and gaze at the hotel and want to enter there someday…in fact, many a successful industrialists may have felt that way! The Oberoi is also beautiful and the employees of both hotels showed incredible courage to make the hotels bounce back so well. They have created something new in each and that’s wonderful!”
For the staff of the hotels, tiding over their loss with the determination to come out stronger, has reigned supreme. They share the importance of the steps they had undertaken, and how they dealt with the catastrophe. Ajoy Misra, Senior Vice President of the Taj group of hotels who is very close to re-opening the rooms and the suites of the Palace wing, admits, “Certain things in life, one cannot learn from textbooks and classrooms. Experience is the best teacher to mould people. Post the incident, we made a promise to the world and to ourselves — to rebuild a more glorious Taj and over the past year-and-a-half, we have dedicated our efforts to recreating the magic. Executive chef of the hotel Hemant Oberoi, who lost staff members during the terrible episode, reveals how they garnered their strength. “Adversity usually brings out the best in people and the experience we went through brought out the underlying strength and resilience in my team. We worked harder and more passionately towards rebuilding the restaurants that were hardest hit.”
For the Oberoi Mumbai too, post the attack it’s a newly renovated avatar also has stringent security checks and new technology. Onto happier times!
Memories…
Rashmi Uday Singh, food writer:
My very special and vibrant relationships with the Taj and Oberoi are a string of yummy memories and go back more than thirty years to my income tax deputy commissioner days. My first romantic dinners with dancing were at the Rendezvous (Taj) and Supper Club (Oberoi). My son’s first Christmas lunch was at the Rotisserie (Oberoi) and all birthdays till date are celebrated at the Zodiac Grill or Wasabi. I salute the return of the Taj and the Oberoi. A time to rejoice.
Queenie, jewellery designer:
Both hotels mean so much to me. I have spent lovely moments at the Sea Lounge enjoying Viennese ice-creams after modeling assignments and had my wedding reception at the Taj. I also enjoyed parties at Cafe Royale in Oberoi and in the recent years at Frangipani. I can never imagine myself not going to the two hotels.
