My stay at Taj is a powerful message against terror: Obama

Speaking on the terrace of the Taj Mahal palace hotel against a backdrop of the Gateway of India and the Indian and US flags,Obama said,“In our determination to give our people a future of security and prosperity,the United States and India stand united.” Stating that the world will never forget the images of 26/11,including those of portions of the Taj set ablaze,he said,“Indeed,today,the United States and India are working together more closely than ever to keep our people safe. And I look forward to deepening our counter-terrorism cooperation even further when I meet with Prime Minister Singh in New Delhi. We go forward with confidence,knowing that history is on our side… And that is the shared determination of India and the United States,two partners that will never waver in our defence of our people or the democratic values that we share.”

Gathered on the terrace were about 40 guests,including survivors of the attacks,relatives of those who died at various sites targetted during the attacks and Taj staff members,some of who had been witness to the attack themselves. Just before he read out the statement,he spent about 12 to 15 minutes with a smaller group of survivors,including Karambir Kang,the former general manager of the Taj who lost his family during the attack. Also present at the closed door meeting was US national Kia Scherr,whose husband and daughter were killed at the start of the siege of the Trident-Oberoi hotel in Nariman Point.

The President and First Lady Michelle Obama first signed the visitor’s book at the iconic hotel and laid a single white rose each at the 26/11 memorial plaque inside. “We will always remember the events of 26/11,not only the sorrow but also the courage and the humanity that were on display that day. The US stands in solidarity with all of Mumbai and all of India in working to eradicate the scourge of terrorism and we offer our love and friendship,” he wrote in the guest-book.

Earlier,Air Force One carrying US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle touched down at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 12:48 pm,coming to a halt at a heavily guarded and secure apron at 12:51 pm. After a wait of nearly ten minutes after the aircraft’s hatch was opened,Obama appeared at the door of the aircraft,briefly waving at the media contingent a few hundred feet away,before walking down the ladder with Michelle Obama to a red carpet welcome.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan received the President and the First Lady,handing him a coffee table book on Maharashtra and exchanging pleasantries. Among the others lined up in the welcome party were Union Minister for Corporate and Minority Affairs Salman Khursheed,who is the minister-in-waiting,Indian Ambassador in the US Meera Shankar,Maharashtra Protocol Minister Suresh Shetty and US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer and his wife.

After shaking hands and exchanging a few words with each of the dignitaries and warmly embracing the Roemers,Obama and Michelle walked over to the waiting Marine One,the presidential chopper,again waving at the media enclosure on the tarmac. Marine One took off for INS Shikra at 1:09 pm,followed by another VH-60N White Hawk chopper and a Chinook chopper that had also been waiting on the apron.

After the statement at the Taj,the President and the First Lady spent 30 minutes at Mani Bhavan,the Mahatma Gandhi museum in Gamdevi,which was the Mahatma’s Mumbai headquarters for several years during the freedom struggle. Stating that he drew much inspiration from the Father of the Nation,Obama wrote in the visitor’s book there: “I am filled with hope and inspiration as I have the privilege to view this testament to Gandhi’s life. He is a hero,not just to India but to the world.”

Just below his words,Michelle wrote: “This visit will be one that I will always treasure. The life and teachings of Gandhi must be shared with our children around the world.”