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Footfall at Colaba Nariman House slowly picking up

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Nariman House security chief Naftali Charter points towards a wall damaged by the terrorists during the 26/11 attack, on Wednesday. The wall has been left as it is for visitors to see
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The voice bell outside the security cabin seems to be the newest addition to the security apparatus at Nariman House, Colaba. It's three months since the place was thrown open to members of the community, and the buzz around the place familiar to the community before the terror strike had shut it down, is slowly picking up, community members say.

"Chabad House is like a father and mother to most Jews. Any Jew who goes to any city, first goes there," said Ovad Louig, an Israeli national who dropped by at Nariman House on Monday morning.

Ovad offered prayers at the small synagogue on the second floor of Nariman House with 'Tfillen' (a Jewish prayer band) tied tightly around his hand and forehead.

Chabad Houses, which epitomizes the Jewish way of life, offer community members food, a place to pray and Kosher meal among other things. Before the 26/11 attacks, the one in Colaba also used allow Jews to stay there, but no more, as security concerns disallow that.

Today, the restaurant service at Nariman House is its most popular attraction besides the Torah classes, according to its head of security Naftali Charter.

Torah classes aren't there now as the Rabbi is out of town. And with the Rabbi not home, Charter and his (security) colleagues are in charge of the place. The main job the people in Nariman House now undertake is sending Kosher food to all who request for it. The traffic at this place is otherwise thin.

"Things are improving. Five to 25 people drop in at any given day. Sometimes on weekends, we have up to 60 people coming in. A lot of them also come to visit the museum upstairs that has remained untouched, and pay respects to the memory of the late Rabbi and his wife, who built this place. Since this is the first tourist season after it was opened anew, we aren't sure how big the tourist footfall would be," said Charter, who locks and unlocks the heavy door at the entrance.

Security, he added, is our prime concern now. We need to ensure that all who come in are safe to be entertained. "Although we cannot give much information, the security here can rival any of the consulates, embassies or even airports. It used to be a very soft point, but we have learned from our mistakes. Co-ordination between all the security agencies involved are now excellent," he said.

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