Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:25 AM
Nov 30, 2008 Letters
Dear Editor,
Guyanese who spoke with me about the invasion of Mumbai were deeply saddened and on the verge of tears upon seeing the killing spree and destruction brought on by the terrorists.
Many Guyanese experienced life in Mumbai and virtually everyone who visited India would have been to the area that was targeted by the terrorists; it is a tourist haven.
Anguished Guyanese phoned to inform me about the attacks and to reminisce about their experience in Mumbai and to talk about how they felt about the attacks.
They share in the grief and the shock of the families, Indian and foreign, whose members were killed or injured in the dastardly coward attacks by the radical Islamists who have only hate for those (Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Jews) who do not support their radical agenda.
It was a terrible shock to Guyanese, especially to those who experienced Mumbai in their travels to India.
Many Guyanese stayed at the Taj Mahal Palace and Oberoi hotels, both of which were struck and heavily destroyed by grenades and gun fire.
Anyone who visits Mumbai cannot miss the magnificent Taj Palace, which casts a majestic spell on onlookers, luring them inside.
Words spread quickly around about the attacks and before long they were talking amongst themselves about the wickedness of the terrorists.
Guyanese community leaders and organisations were issuing statements in support of India and deploring the actions of the terrorists.
The attacks were roundly condemned by all with a few Guyanese returning to the experiences of 9/11 and suggesting what India should do to eliminate terror and the terrorists in their midst.
I was at JFK waiting for my flight to Mexico City when the cell phone rang, informing me of the Mumbai attack. CNN was carrying live reports through its sister network in New Delhi and FOX News was linked through its sister network in Mumbai.
So Guyanese and the world watched as the drama unfolded Wednesday evening. I received a dozen calls in quick succession by Guyanese who visited Mumbai and by those who had planned trips for early next year.
The phone was ringing almost non-stop. They all called to tell me about the atrocities being unleashed in Bombay.
Since I travel to India regularly, anxious people called to discuss their planned itinerary and their safety and or to express their outrage upon seeing the destruction of a wonderful part of that huge city. It was a ghastly sight and not surprisingly the angry response was quick.
Like others, my eyes were also teary seeing such huge devastation. And 9/11 flashed back. I too have historic memories of my experience in Mumbai.
And like so many other Guyanese, I stayed at the Taj on several visits and participated at conferences at the Oberoi.
I was at the Oberoi during the Indian Diaspora conference three years ago and visited the Taj last year. I am due to stay there again in February.
The Taj is not an ordinary hotel; it is about the most beautiful hotel in the world and I have stayed in hotels in many countries.
People who stayed at the Taj have only praises for the hotel. Businessman Yesu Persaud can provide more info on his experience at the Taj.
In fact, the entire Taj group of hotels is simply out of this world.
During my first trip to India as a visiting student on a private scholarship, I stayed at the Taj chain in several cities.
The Taj Mahal Mumbai and the Taj Agra are among the best. So naturally, one would be deeply saddened and in tears to see a wonderful hotel up in flames – the work of terrorists, crazy men seeking to convert the world into their faith.
Taj Mumbai is a magnificent structure and is quite different from the Oberoi which embodies a traditional western type design.
The beauty is quite exquisite and unrivaled. The design of the Taj combines Islamic and ancient Hindu architecture. People are lured to the Taj because it is an iconic structure at a landmark location called the Gateway of India or Mumbai. It oversees the Arabian Sea and the Indian Navy is nearby.
Thousands of people line up there every day to catch the boats going to the Elephanta Caves, a historic site.
Condemnation (of the abominable terror attack) by Guyanese was swift and strong. Their Thanksgiving Day holiday spirit was disrupted. It was like their life was shattered upon losing someone.
They found it incredible that gunmen could be so brazen to target people – Americans, British, Israelis and other foreigners; religious background did not matter. They killed anyone and everyone they can get their hands on. People’s eyes and attention were focused on the TV.
Everyone who saw expressed shock at the manner in which the attacks took place. The many Guyanese employed at the airport were in teary eyes seeing the destruction and wanton killing of innocent people.
The Guyanese who I spoke with on the phone described the killers as savages and barbarians. One Guyanese said: “These are not people”. Another cried, “They destroyed my beautiful Bombay”.
A lot of expletives were also used by others wishing if they can get their hands on the killers and stating what they would do with their private parts. “This is unacceptable”, said another. “Oh me God! Meh can’t believe this”, said an employee at JFK. “Wha India a do with these no good people. Kill them,” said another.
Kali said he is troubled about the impact on tourism to India. He takes groups of Guyanese to discover their roots throughout the years. He celebrated his silver jubilee as a tour operator in Mumbai earlier this month with Bollywood guests mingling with his large group.
“I am deeply saddened. My tours stayed at both the Taj and Oberoi, among other five star hotels. This is a heinous crime and must be condemned with a united voice. The government has got to wipe out terror and the world must join in support”.
Thankfully, the terror has not so far deterred Guyanese from visiting India. A group of Guyanese from West Coast has planned a tour in February.
I will join them for part of the tour as I search for my ancestral relatives. Several Guyanese have confirmed their participation at the next annual Indian Diaspora conference hosted by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs scheduled for January.
Incidentally, a large group of Guyanese met with the Minister, Vyalar Ravi, last Sunday in NY. Berbician Ashok Ramsaran is chairing a session on the Indo-Caribbean Diaspora at the January meet where I too may attend as a reporter.
It is wise that Guyanese tourists to India and others not give in to terror. The latest terror attack must be condemned by all decent people.
It was heartrending to see the bloody pictures of the mayhem; so many dead and wounded and the fear on the faces of those who experienced the attack and live to tell the sad tale.
The way the attack took place showed everyone who travels is vulnerable to terror. This must drive every human to come together in the fight against the extremists.
Vishnu Bisram
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