Trident reopens amidst tight security and traditional welcome

Mumbai, Dec 21 (PTI) The Trident hotel, one of the
targets of November 26 terror attacks in the west Indian state
of Maharashtra, reopened Sunday after three weeks of
refurbishment work.

The hotel, readied in 25 days after the terror attack,
in which 30 guests and staffers were shot by terrorists,
reopened following a multi-religious prayer meeting in its
lobby attended by several prominent citizens including Chief
Minister Ashok Chavan.

Some guests walked in amidst tight security to occupy
the refurbished rooms to a traditional Indian welcome by
saree-clad women staff of Trident.

"If a guest walks in, there won't be a single scratch
to remind him or her of the attack," Trident President Rattan
Keswani told reporters on the eve of the reopening of the
550-room, 35-storeyed hotel.

Bookings for about 100 rooms have already been made at
the hotel Sunday and it was not immediately clear how many had
been occupied so far.

One report said about 40 guests have checked-in so
far.

All the rooms in the Trident including those on the
executive floors and restaurants -- Firangipani, India Jones,
Opium Den and Verandah -- have also been opened.

However, the adjacent Oberoi hotel, which is connected
to the Trident, will take 6-7 months to open as it bore the
brunt of the audacious terror attack with extensive damages.

The prayer meeting, which lasted for about 30 minutes,
was conducted by eight religious priests reading verses from
holy scriptures.

The hotel looked like a fortress with bunkers erected
outside the main entrance of the hotel. Some baggage scanners
have also been placed at the entrance.

Guests were frisked and their identities ascertained
before being allowed inside the hotel.

"It's good to see that the hotel has bounced back in a
couple of weeks. I am a regular guest here and I hope nothing
will change despite the horrifying terror attack. The
management's job is commendable as it has worked hard to
reopen the hotel in such a short period," Vikram Kapoor, a
businessman, said.

"We are regular guests of this hotel and we have
joined the prayers to extend our support and send a strong
message of unity," Sonja Zink, a Canadian tourist, said.

"Three months back, I visited the hotel for a wedding
ceremony. I appreciate the efforts of the staff to reopen the
hotel. The attacks suggest the need for tight security not
only in this hotel but also at all big establishments," said
Ratnakar Poddar, an employee in a private firm.

Ram Singh, who hails from Punjab and on a personal
trip to Mumbai, said, "I wanted to see the terror-affected
sites. Though I was not allowed to be a part of the prayer
ceremony, I express my solidarity with them".

Priests of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jewish, Jain,
Buddhist, Christian and Parsi communities conducted prayers in
the lobby of the sea-facing hotel.

Several guests and staff members participated in the
prayer session with bowed heads and folded hands.

"Quran does not teach violence. All prayers conducted
together today signify that we all are together and no such
attack can divide us. Killing an innocent person is like
killing the entire humanity and saving one life is like saving
the entire humanity," All India Ulema Association President
Maulana Syed Ather Ali said.

"Our prayers are meant for the welfare of human
beings. In our community, people are taught to spread love and
peace in their surroundings. We prayed to God to save
innocents from all kind of man-made disaster," Bikshi
Karmajyoti, a Buddhist, said.

The Trident, which is valued at Rs 780 crore in terms
of insurance, suffered damages estimated to be around Rs 40-50
lakh, in the terror attack.

The hotel, despite stringent checks and security
measures in place, would always have a welcoming environment,
Keswani said.

The Trident, although severely impacted by the terror
attack, seems to be all set for a fresh start, leaving behind
all bitter memories and looking forward into the future. PTI
KKP