It’s been 16 years since the horrific 26/11 terror attacks shook Mumbai on November 26, 2008. The attacks, carried out by 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, included 12 coordinated shootings and bombings. These terrorists arrived by hijacking an Indian fishing boat and targeted key locations like Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Leopold Café, Nariman House, and the Oberoi Trident and Taj Mahal Palace Hotels.
The Taj Hotel became the epicenter of the assault, resulting in 175 deaths and over 300 injuries. Amid this chaos, Ratan Tata, then Chairman of Tata Group, showed immense strength and leadership.
The attack started around 9:30 pm when gunmen stormed the Taj Hotel, taking hostages and engaging in violent firefights with security forces. Six explosions were reported in the hotel, causing massive destruction. For 60 hours, the hotel remained under siege. 33 people were killed, including guests and hotel staff.
According to Harvard Business Review, 11 hotel employees lost their lives while helping guests escape. They guided people to safety, provided water, and formed human chains. Taj’s General Manager, Karambir Singh Kang, who lost his family in the attack, famously told his father, “If it (the hotel) goes down, I will be the last man out.”
It took three days for security forces and firefighters to regain control.
Ratan Tata was at the forefront during this crisis. Despite the overwhelming tragedy, Tata stood firm. “Very emotional and even I find it difficult to control, thinking back to the misery caused by such a needless, mindless loss of life,” he said in a 2010 interview with NDTV.
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Tata spent days at the hotel, overseeing the rescue efforts. He stayed with his staff, offering support when needed. Reflecting on his experience, he stated, “What was meant to break us, become the source of our strength.”
Tata also visited the injured in hospitals, pledging to support the families of the victims. “I chose to do the latter, to go every day to the hospital to meet the people who were injured,” he shared.
Actor Kamal Haasan, on X, praised Tata’s role, calling him “the embodiment of the Indian spirit” during this national crisis.
Even in the darkest hours of 26/11, Ratan Tata showed the world what true leadership looks like. Not just rebuilding the Taj, but standing by every victim and family, embodying resilience and humanity. A legacy of courage amidst chaos. #MumbaiTerrorAttacks #NeverForget2611 pic.twitter.com/jqN4nN2hN9
— Surya Ananthula (@cosmictales03) November 26, 2024
In November 2019, Tata posted a message on Instagram, marking 11 years since the attacks. He wrote, “We will not forget the scars and the needless suffering caused at the hospital, the railway station, the hotels, and across the city. But most importantly, we remain proud of the spirit and the sense of unity displayed by Mumbai.” His words highlighted the resilience of Mumbai in the face of disaster.
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The Taj Hotel, opened in 1903 by Tata’s great-grandfather Jamsetji Tata, was forced to close after the attacks. It had never shut its doors in over a century. But Tata’s resolve was clear. The hotel reopened just a month later. However, full restoration took 21 months and over $1 billion.
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Tata explained the difficult period following the attacks: “I had in fact, a double responsibility. One is to see the companies through. And secondly, to make sure it did not in any way endanger the security of Tata Sons.”
In 2009, Tata unveiled a memorial at the Taj to honor the victims. He also promised to care for the families of the victims. Tata ensured that the families received the salaries of their deceased loved ones for life and helped educate their children. Reports also state that Tata visited the homes of the victims to offer his support.
To further assist during disasters, Tata Group established The Taj Public Service Welfare Trust (TPSWT).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Tata following his death, acknowledging his leadership during the 26/11 attacks. Modi said, “For crores of Indians, Shri Ratan Tata’s patriotism shone brightest in times of crisis. His swift reopening of the iconic Taj Hotel in Mumbai after the 26/11 terror attacks was a rallying call to the nation – India stands united, refusing to yield to terrorism.”
Ratan Tata’s actions during the 26/11 attacks demonstrated his extraordinary leadership and resilience. He not only rebuilt the Taj Hotel but also inspired a nation to stand strong in the face of adversity.
