Hotel Taj immortalises staff’s bravery during 26/11 attacks in book

They went beyond the call of duty. They stayed at their posts, putting their lives at stake, to ensure the safety of their guests when Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives from Pakistan wrecked havoc on hotel Taj Mahal Palace for three days from November 26, 2008.

Three years later, the bravery and resourcefulness of the staff during the 26/11 attack has been immortalised in a book, The Taj at Apollo Bunder, which chronicles the 108-year-old history of the heritage hotel.

“I have seen first-hand how this hotel has come to stand for the resilient spirit of Mumbai. The Taj has an extraordinary and heart-warming story to tell,” said Raymond Bickson, managing director and CEO of the Taj Hotels.

Researched and written by British writer and historian Charles Allen along with Mumbai-based author and researcher Sharada Dwivedi, The Taj at Apollo Bunder has been has been in the making for the last two decades.

It highlights important events from the day the five-star hotel opened its doors — on December 16, 1903 — until its restoration and reopening after the 2008 terror attacks.

The last two chapters of the book are dedicated to the brave  employees, such as general manager Karambir Kang, who lost his wife and sons but still continued to help others, and chef Hemant Oberoi and his team, who kept the kitchen running amid gunshots and grenade explosions.

The proceeds from the sales of the book will go to the Taj Public Service Welfare Trust to support the victims of natural calamities, said Bickson.

The book also features little-known nuggets.