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The stock, money and commodity markets will probably be up in the morning. The chief minister has already left instructions to the effect. Offices and banks will be buzzing again. And after a gap, everything will be just as intact as normal as before in the financial capital.
But one thing will change. The most audacious and direct terrorist attack on the Indian business will see industry too becoming a stakeholder in the anti-terrorism drive of the government.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, president, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) said, “Indian business and its various stakeholders have, so far, been mute and very detached from this debate on terrorism and tougher approach to terrorism and terrorists, including anti-terror laws. Last night’s attack is a clear and unambiguous attack on the Indian economy and all its participants. It is time we all join this debate on terrorism and demand stronger and firmer leadership and approach to this threat of terrorism, including better laws”.
SK Birla, director, Birla Brothers, only complemented the thinking when he called on the corporate world to rise to the occasion. Birla said, “It is high time that all citizens of the country and particularly the corporate world rise to the occasion, shoulder to shoulder, with the government, all political parties and the civil society to give a fitting reply to the terrorists who have attempted to create havoc. It is no more an issue for the government alone. The attack has targeted the hub of the corporate world and we will speak in unison”.
Though Terror Thursday could cast a shadow on the stock market in the short term, experts say the markets would recover soon. In earlier instances too Mumbai rose to the occasion and displayed a determination to bounce back. But an industry big wig mentioned that the attacks were another addition to the global meltdown, and so would certainly increase the woes for investors and the people at large.
Indian Merchants Chamber president MN Chaini and Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee’s industry cell chief Raj Shroff claimed that attacks will seriously affect investments, as the investors will find Mumbai is not the safe place they thought it to be.
But the ongoing and proposed investment of Rs 50,000 crore to strengthen Mumbai’s infrastructure—which sets the pace for the city’s future growth—will not be impacted by the attacks.
The investments in flyover, sea links, bridges, sky walks, upgradation of roads, are being carried out by the state-run Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation and BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation either on their own or on a BOT basis. MMRDA joint director DN Kawathkar told FE, “This will not have any bearing on the ongoing projects and those in the pipeline. Contractors have expressed their full commitment for the timely completion of various projects while investors will continue to participate in various bids.”
Chambers and many non-banking finance companies were unanimous that the terrorists attack was with a view to destroying the economy, but it would not impact investment atmosphere in Mumbai and around.
Real Estate major Niranjan Hiranandani, who is struggling to cope up with the ongoing slowdown, said, “This is really a sad moment, though it will not affect investments. Tourism may take a back seat for a while.”
The attacks have shocked the Mumbai business but no one is thinking of a future outside Mumbai. Says VN Dhoot, chairman, Videocon Industries: “We are not scared. Although this attack is said to be as bad as 9/11, we will continue our operations in Mumbai, instead of shifting a part of our operations to any other city.”
Ramakrishnan, executive director, Bajaj Electricals, goes a step ahead and asks the industry to get proactive. He says, “We do not have any plans to shift our operations to any other city. We will help the government mobilise public opinion. The spirit of Mumbai is far more powerful than the ongoing terror attacks.”
A bad news for Mumbai’s cricket crazy businessmen was the cancellation of the forthcoming Champion Trophy, scheduled for December 3, 4 & 5, at the prestigious Brabourne Stadium situated in the south Mumbai.
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Yesterday evening's prime time news (8 to 9 pm) was brilliantly anchored by Dr Roy. Sadly though the slip showed towards the end.Dr Roy mentioned about some silly SMS that is apparently making rounds and which makes sly comments about Raj Thackeray. First of all it was out of place.Secondly,what does the originator of the SMS wants Thackeray do? He does not have army that he could deploy. For that matter what did Laloo,Amar and all other "Leaders" do?Nothing.And no one expects them to do any thing in such a situation. One friend who got the same SMS feels that it has originated from a fertile and politically committed brain of some journo-may be from NDTV itself.Lastly,if one sees the TV footage and reads news papers in Mumbai and Pune you would notice that at the conflict spots we could see ambulances of MNS and Sena-no other party! Then they organized and collected over 1000 pouches of blood on Thursday. Which other party even thought so?
act tough or perish is the lesson one must learn. we shouldnot be glorifing the spirit of mumbaikars or indians because we should not forget that we have lost 100's of our dear human beings, and the misery efect of this on their families. we should not forget that such events can again play havock in india. 20 terrorists could stop india as is seen last two days. we got no other news to share with the people of india. news channels were only highlighting this event and that also in unprofesional manner. without checking the source or it's credibility they were trying to be first newsmaker. security personals were also giving wrong no.s of terrorists. our spirit is mainly guided by our necessities. one cannot stop in life and that's why mumbai is moving. people must rise to teach the govt. a tough lesson of governance.
Does anyone know why Raj Thackarey and his uncle the great Bal Thackerey has not spoken a world till now when the whole Mumbai is shocked by the terrorist attack. Is the attack not a threat to Mumbai rather than the presence of Biharis and North Indians. Please Ask this question to as many contacts you know and try to find if there is any answer.
For Mr. Ravi's kind information. It is time to unit. ALso he should know that, Shiv-Sena and MNS are providing ambulance and blood to the vicitms. MNS is already conducting blood donation camps. This help is provided to everyone without thinking if the person is UPian/Bihari/Marathi. MNS/Shiv-Sena will always fight their political battle their own way, but when it comes to war, they are the first persons to save Mumbaikars. None of these people like Ravi help us.
This is hillarious
Ministry of Defence of the Govt of India should deal terrorist attack in India, as the terrorist, whatever their identity and views are primarily against Indian Constitution and sovereignty. State Police and Ministry of Home Affairs are equipped with only general law and order problems. They are not trained or made sophisticated against terrorists modus operandi, mostly operating from foreign lands. Had the army, navy, air forces under Ministry of Defence be allowed to tackle from the initial stage and they be allowed to use tanks, helicopters etc. the casualities at Mumbai could have been minimised. Similarly Army was of full knowledge of the movement of terrorists engaged for the Guwahati blast on 30 October,2008. Indian Army is not simply to gaurd international border, they should fight back also internal terrorists. So there is an urgent need to redefine the area of operation between Ministry of Home, external and defence in India to safeguard the life of the citizen.
Everything will be alright because people dont have any choice. Everything will right becasue of no choice were left. Its politician who should feel responsible for this and show willingness to tackle terrorism. They know how to do and they have all the resources, they don't want to do it, becuse of vote politics.
Are politicians involved, why is it happening at the time few politicians are being blamed for other reason, is this the method to distract ??Why hasnt ever a bomb blast , firing hurt POLITICIANS ?????????
My only question is where is Raj Thakrey and his so called "Marathi Manoos" propaganda? Did he have the guts to come out of his hiding place and face the people and try to find out the real culprits behind this datardly attacks.He will definitely not do that bcoz he does not have the moral responsibilty to do that.Once everything is finished he will come out and start creating more problem for the common people. These people should have been sent with the ATS to face the terrorists either in Taj, Oberoi or Cama Hospital.It's really a shame that we can do nothing about these people.Why blame outsiders when we have people like these inside the country who create the a favourable situation for the terrorists.
well everything will be back, but my question to you all is when will the peace and harmony back in this city... stop playing fool with the people of mumbai and giving them false condolence.. will the people who have died can come back.. no it cannot.... it is time now to act we have to unite to thwart all those elements who wants to destroy this country... love is needed for this country......
It is precisely because we salute this so called Mumbai spirit and refuse to demand an explantation from the Home Ministry or expect accountability that we see the recurring attacks on the city. Sometimes we need to say 'Mumbai Spirit be damned ' and gather in numbers at the Mantralaya and demand answers from the "Rulers"? I have one question, Why does the home ministry allocate such precious and insufficient resources such as the police force in ensuring that the bars in Mumbai do not employ dancing girls?? IS that activity a greater threat to the common man or 'aam admi' than the terrorists that attack seemingly at will? What should be the priority of the Government of the day? and when will the media ask such questions rather than sensationalise reporting?
sure everything will be back to normal.. in 10 yrs time we'll have another attack more deadly than this... and again things will go normal...
Yeah - we should not stop. We should all go back to paying bribes, indulging in greedy speculation. Fostering a sense of corruption to server our selfish needs. We should not stop - things should be status quo.There is not need to stop and reconsider what we are doing is fundamentally flawed and there is something really wrong with us as a society. Of course the citizen of India is not to blame for all this - only the politicians are - and politicians are not citizens of India.Of course the citizen of India should pay bribes whenever challaned on the street. Of course the citizen of India should leave their villages and go to towns spit on roads. All this should not stop. This is our right we should get our right back.
Hi,I'm a Mumbaikar and I think we have overblown this cliched Mumbai spirit. In two days, every one will forget and go back to their daily mundane lives. Even when the attacks were going on, people were talking about cricket. We have become desensitized to terrorism. A man can lie unconscious on a Mumbai local train for days before somebody comes to his help. People continue to work after such attacks only because they have no choice. After all, living in Mumbai itself is a daily struggle for bread and butter amidst traffic, pollution, overcrowded trains, etc. Politicians will continue to push their narrow agendas and mindsets while the common man suffers.We've been sleeping for too long. It's time we woke up.