‘Attack on Mumbai has affected the tourism sector’

Vineeta Shahani, 65, is still to get over the fact that one of the iconic structures, the nation is proud of, was held hostage by a few terrorists and today it is in shambles.

She was in tears on Sunday morning when she saw the tricolour being unfurled atop Taj. “Since Wednesday night, I have been glued to the television set monitoring developments related to the terror strike,” said Shahani, who works as a tour guide.

“On that fateful night, I was slated to meet one of the tourist guests at Taj for dinner. It so happened that I did not accept their invitation as I was asked to escort some other foreign tourists who were flying down from New Delhi,” said Shahani.

“My sister-in-law, who is also into the same business, informed me about the carnage in Mumbai. She had directed this foreign couple who wanted to stay at the Taj. But following this strike, they checked in at Four Seasons in Worli and flew back to the US the next day,” Shahani said.

“We’ve been attacked at a very wrong time. This is the time when we have people coming from across the globe. As tour guides, we would get clients interested in seeing the Elephanta, or the business district, the suburbs, et al. The attack has shattered businesses associated with the tourism industry,” she said.

She said the terror strike has affected the tourism sector. “I do not know how long it will take for Taj to regain its glory. I could not believe my eyes when I saw Taj on fire. It was indeed a second home for me,” she said in a choked voice.