We must rebuild what has been destroyed: Tata

MUMBAI: As operation Cyclone came to a close at the Taj, Indian Hotels company chairman Ratan N Tata, vice chairman Krishna Kumar and other officials gathered at the hotel to assess the situation.

Tata later issued a statement condemning the ���terrible wanton attacks on innocent people and the destruction of prominent landmarks in India������ . He said acts like these ���deserved to be universally condemned. ���My sympathies and condolences go out to all those who have suffered, been injured, and those who have lost their loved ones in this terrible act of hatred.������

Tata was at the hotel for more than an hour, interacting with employees and army officers. His statement on the Taj website said, ���We cannot replace the lives that have been lost and we will never forget the terrifying events of last night, but we must stand together , shoulder to shoulder as citizens of India, and rebuild what has been destroyed.

We must show that we cannot be disabled or destroyed, but that such heinous act will only make us stronger. It is important that we do not allow divisive forces to weaken us. We need to overcome these forces as one strong unified nation.������

Raymond Bickson, CEO and managing director of The Indian Hotels Company Ltd, put out a statement on Saturday providing an assessment of the situation in the hotel: ���I would just like to update you all. The heroic actions of our security forces have now contained the attack on the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower.

We are enormously saddened at the loss of life amongst the brave men who carried out this action... the process of fully assessing the internal situation cannot yet begin as the NSG are continuing their risk assessment. We will provide updates on the situation within the hotel when we can.

We are extending our full cooperation to the investigating authorities . There is one point that I would like to make clear. We have had no indications from them that any employee or contractual staff of the hotel have been involved as part of this terrorist attack. ���