Obama pays homage to Mumbai terror victims
“Mumbai is an incredible city which is symbol of energy and optimism of India, ” said President Obama saluting the spirit of Mumbai as he addressed the press at Taj while kick-starting the historic tour to India. Obama mentioned that his visit to Taj is a clear message to terrorists while reiterating that India and US are working closely than ever in the battle against terror.
Obama said his decision to stay in Taj Hotel is a powerful message against terrorism and demanded that the perpetrators of the horrific Mumbai attacks should be brought to justice.
Accompanied by his wife Michelle, he signed the visitors’ book, looked at the plaque on which the names of 26/11 victims are engraved and delivered a six-minute speech in which he paid tributes to people of Mumbai and India hailing their resolve and resilience.
Excerpts of his speech
“We will never forget the awful images of the 26/11 attacks, the flames from Taj Hotel that lit up the skies on those four days of November, 2008.”“We today, US and India are working together, more closely than ever to deepening counter-terrorism (cooperation), to keep our people safe.”“Here in Mumbai, the diversity that is India’s strength was in full display… Those who attacked Mumbai wanted to demoralise this city and this country but they failed.”“The very next day, Mumbaikars came back to work… Within weeks, this hotel was welcoming guests from around the world.”“The Taj is a symbol of strength and resolve.”“Just as Indians lost their lives on 9/11, Americans lost their lives on 26/11.”
He arrived at Taj in Presidential limousine ‘Beast’ from the INS Shikra air station at Colaba. He has signed the guest book at Taj and will be meeting the victims of 26/11 terror attack before joining the memorial service for the victims. Obama is accompanied by his wife Michelle and top officials in what would be the president’s longest foreign trip since he assumed office two years ago.
President Obama landed in Mumbai airport around 1 pm kicking-off his much anticipated four-day visit to India where Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Protocol Minister Suresh Shetty received him as the representatives of the state along with Union Minister Salman Khurshid.
He then headed to INS Shikra air station at Colaba naval base in a Black Hawk while his dignitaries accompanied him in Chinook helicopters.
Today’s programme includes:
- Memorial of 26/11 victims at Taj/meeting with terror attack survivors
- Visit to Mahatma Gandhi museum Mani Bhavan.
- Meeting with Indian and American entrepreneurs and CEOs at Trident, Nariman Point.
- Address to US-India Business Council Summit at Trident.
In a gesture loaded with symbolism, his first stop will be the iconic Taj Hotel, where he will attend a memorial service in tribute to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He will also meet the survivors during the same. President Obama and his wife Michelle will be the most high-profile guests to stay at the Taj since the attacks two years ago. Barack Obama’s India trip itinerary
The choice of Taj Hotel, the epicentre of the Mumbai massacre by terrorists, for his two-day stay has been described by Obama as a “tribute to the resilience of the Indian people” and to underscore the shared commitment of the two countries to counter terrorism.
“By staying at the Taj (hotel), I am pleased to pay tribute to the resilience of the Indian people, while also underscoring our shared commitment to counter terrorism,” Obama said.
After attending the memorial service, Obama will address a business summit organised by the US-India Business Council at Trident with entrepreneurs. More than two hundred US CEOs will be attending the summit which focuses on producing jobs for the U.S. economy by clinching big commercial deals for U.S. companies and promoting greater access to Indian markets – particularly in financial and retail sectors. The Obama administration had set a goal of doubling US exports over the next five years to create more jobs back home. Read more
In the mean time the Left parties will be holding a nationwide protest on the wake of Obama’s visit in protest of US pressure on India to open its agriculture, retail trade, education, and other services to MNCs.
Meanwhile nuclear scientist Kota Subbarao Buddhi, the father of Vikram Buddhi who is languishing in a US jail for the last four years after allegedly posting hate messages against former President George Bush on the Internet in 2006 has sought a “legal review” of the case by US President Barack Obama. He has requested President of India Pratibha Patil to arrange for a three-minute audience with US President to explain about the case. Read more
Another person who is looking forward to meet President Obama is Railway announcer Vishnu Zende, whose presence of mind during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks saved hundreds of lives at the CST station. Zende is among those invited to attend a function at the Taj Mahal Hotel today
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