Colaba's character is also drawn from its strength. Seventeen years ago, Pakistani terrorists struck here -- at the core of Mumbai's soul -- in the deadliest attack ever seen in this country. 166 civilians and security personnel were killed in a battle that raged on for three days.
The lease extension for the property expires in October.
The trial of Abu Jundal, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is set to resume after the Bombay High Court overturned a lower court order requiring authorities to hand over confidential documents to the accused.
The Taj Mahal Hotel, which completed 100 years of existence on Tuesday, will continue as the symbol of India's hospitality and warmth, Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata said in Mumbai.
'The preparedness of our defence forces and positioning of intelligence assets were very different in 2008, so we had to rebuild our assets and preparedness.'
Tahawwur Rana has the answers to festering questions on the 26/11 terror attacks and the NIA must pry it out of him, even if they have to feed him biryani, advocates Athimuthu Ganesh Nadar.
'One is not allowed to smoke on the sets of a Hollywood film even during a break.' 'When I asked an assistant to suggest some place where I could light a cigarette, he recommended the bad boys' corner -- where Jack Nicholson smoked.' 'However, I hesitated.' 'But when I was heading back to my chair after the shot, Jack Nicholson asked me if I wanted to join him for a smoke. We had a long conversation over cups of cappuccino.'
>Manchester United's star centre-back Harry Maguire was spotted in Mumbai on Thursday, May 29, 2025, exploring the local food scene and connecting with the community.
At least 40 to 50 hostages are holed up in one room by six to eight terrorists in the topmost floors of the Taj Mahal Hotel, said a National Security Guards commando involved in the operation. There are 170-odd NSG commandoes involved in the flushing-out operation, said the commando who had stepped out for a breather
Mumbai 'Chai Wala' known as 'Chhotu' aka Mohammed Taufiq, whose alertness saved lives during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks stated that there is no need for India to provide Tahawwur Rana with cell and Biryani and facilities which were provided to Ajmal Kasab, one of the terrorists involved in Mumbai attacks.
'India has not faced a major terrorism loss since the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008.'
Devika Rotawan, a survivor of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has demanded the death penalty for Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused extradited from the US. Rotawan, a key witness in the case, identified terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Kasab in court during the trial. She believes the extradition is a "big win" for India and called for further action against other conspirators in Pakistan.
Wagging its tail non-stop, the dog with a red collar refused to leave Tata's side, literally clinging to the spot next to the casket.
Tahawwur Rana, accused of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is expected to be extradited to India from the United States soon. The US Supreme Court denied his last-ditch effort to stop his extradition, moving him closer to being handed over to Indian authorities. Rana's extradition is expected to help probe agencies expose the role of Pakistani state actors behind the attacks and shed new light on the investigation. He is associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks.
Maharashtra cabinet on Thursday passed a resolution urging the central government to confer 'Bharat Ratna', the country's highest civilian award, on legendary industrialist late Ratan Tata.
The senior IPS officer said Tata displayed resoluteness, uncharacteristic of his calm demeanour, when the iconic hotel came under attack.
Manish Malhotra's show, held at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, was a grand celebration of India's indomitable courage and its rich heritage and culture.
'When the bombing happened in the Taj Mahal hotel in 2008, that was a very sad moment, but he really took care of the people, took care of everybody and that was when you saw some of his best moments.' 'There are some things which we will never forget. That is when the best of a person comes out.'
With November 22, 23 and 24 being among the most auspicious dates for marriage this year, hotels across the country are all booked, as are wedding-related ancillary services.
This was a man who like Buddha transformed himself into achieving the impossible and being an inspiration for many generations to come, says business thinker Mudit Jain.
'...and I was a great admirer of his leadership of Tata Sons.'
'India has established probable cause to prosecute him for his role in terrorist attacks that resulted in 166 deaths and 239 injuries'
'Don't be surprised if the Census forms come with a caste box.' 'I will be surprised if it doesn't. It will be a point conceded to Rahul Gandhi and his allies,' asserts Shekhar Gupta. The BJP machine could take all 3 in its stride, but this election has changed that, notes Shekhar Gupta.
The list of guests included celebrities from across the globe, politicians, the who's who of Hindi and south Indian cinema world and almost all the top cricketers of the country.
The reason why Jamsetji Tata built the Taj Mahal Hotel was his love for Mumbai and India. For him, the 'why' was so powerful that it urged him to stake his reputation, withstand all scepticism, and invest a very large sum of resources to create the iconic hotel.
Even though the NIA claims that more than 90 per cent of cases charge-sheeted have ended in conviction, the figure is likely misleading. To date, very few cases investigated by the NIA have resulted in a completed trial, points out former CBI joint director Navneet Rajan Wasan.
Nangre Patil said the Mumbai cops were trained to handle law and order situations, the underworld and other sorts of criminals, but a 26/11-like terror attack was never anticipated.
Sultanpur, a village in Maharashtra with a population of around 1,000 and 600 houses, will now be known as 'Rahul Nagar' as the local residents have changed its name in memory of its native, who laid down his life while fighting terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008.
Mumbai's Taj Mahal hotel and Jaipur's Oberoi Raj Vilas have made it to the world's best hotels' list compiled by Conde Naste Traveller.
Amrita Raichand and her family were rescued from the Taj Mahal hotel while it was under attack. Recounting her experience to Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar, she feels Kasab's execution is a beginning in the fight against terror.
'What's sad today is that there are so many people who cannot find work, not because the country is devoid of that opportunity, but because we are not doing enough in the country.'
Some of the American security officials, who arrived in Mumbai days before US President Barack Obama's visit and checked into Taj Mahal hotel, had to spend "sleepless nights" for a few days not because of security reasons but due to continuous honking of vehicles plying on the roads.
'If we have to restrict and fight terrorism, first and foremost, we have to ensure communal harmony in the country.'
Top executives from Hindustan Unilever (HUL) including chairman Harish Manwani and Nitin Paranjpe, managing director are in the Taj Hotel. Top officials from Ispat Industries are in The Trident, according to media reports. The Ispat office at Nariman point is closed today.
Every major nation has problems with Muslim fundamentalists, yet none could capture a suicide attacker trained from the Al Qaeda manual. That honour goes only to the Mumbai police.
A little before midnight on Wednesday, Santosh Chakne, a bus driver with the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Service, was told he was on special duty. He had to take his bus to Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport (domestic) to pick up Army commandos and take them to the Taj Mahal hotel in south Mumbai.It was only when he was waiting outside the airport that a phone call alerted him to the terrorist attack on the Taj Mahal hotel and at other places in Mumbai.
An ATS official and an NSG commando who came outside the Taj Mahal hotel for a breather told rediff.com that it is a do or die situation inside the hotel. "We have been firing, searching and retreating for a while as the terrorists go back into hiding," they said. "We have no option but to either kill them or capture them. The manner in which the terrorists are holding fort and retaliating, makes it clear that they are here only for destruction and nothing else."
"The new building of Taj Mahal Hotel has been totally flushed out, cleared and handed over to the Mumbai police," GOC-in-C Southern Command Lt General Noble Thamburaj told reporters. He said security forces have been able to engage one of the terrorists holed up in the old building of the hotel.
The United Nations has dedicated a solidarity tree in remembrance of victims of terrorism with a solemn ceremony that also honoured victims of the 2008 Mumbai attack, on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the world organisation.
Mumbai's Taj Mahal hotel and Jaipur's Oberoi Raj Vilas have made it to the world's best hotels' list compiled by Conde Naste Traveller.
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