Taj Hotel, a year after 26/11

November 26, 2009 will mark the first anniversary of the Mumbai attacks. We went back to the Taj Hotel where the Heritage wing, which was badly gutted, has been almost completely renovated.

NDTV's Shai Venkatraman got a rare look inside the renovated heritage wing of the Taj Hotel. She found that many of the art works have been restored by their original painters.

Eighty per cent of the Taj's Heritage Wing, which was damaged during 26/11 attacks, has been restored. Here is the first look at the renovated interiors of the Taj's Heritage Wing.
The iconic Taj was one of two luxury hotels taken over by terrorists on November 26, 2008. The 60-hour siege killed 183 people in 10 locations and another 239 were wounded.

Ninety per cent of the art work in the Heritage Wing of the hotel has been restored by experts. Some of the art works, like the one in this picture, have been restored by original artists. Major portion of the Taj's Heritage Wing was damaged during 26/11 attacks.

One of the most heart-wrenching stories of 26/11 was that of the general manager of the Taj Hotel Karambir Kang. While he and his staff bravely helped hotel guests that night, his wife and two sons died in the terrorist attack. Kang spoke to NDTV on Monday on life after 26/11. "Given what has happened, the mood is very sombre and upbeat. The staff has shown remarkable resilience, and there has been immense support from the whole world. We are looking forward to the reopening. We are redoing all the rooms; new IT systems are being installed. We will be providing new services like butler service throughout the palace."" the general manager says.

As a year to 26/11 nears, Kang, general manager of the Taj Hotel, tells NDTV that his wounds are unlikely to heal, and that the Taj is his family. "I don't think I will ever heal but this is my family and being here does help me," he says.

The Taj, which opened in 1903, is India's most famous hotel and also one of its most luxurious. After the 26/11 attacks the hotel's interiors were charred and was marred by bullet holes and grenade blasts, its corridors soaked in blood.

The rooms and the remaining food and beverage outlets in the hotel, including the ball room, will be opened in phases.