26/11 Hero Recounts Horror Of Mumbai Taj Hotel Siege "I Lost Everything"

 

Updated: September 10, 2022 11:36 am IST

Karambir Kang shared painful memories of 26/11 when he lost his wife and two young sons.

 

New York:  The Taj Hotel General Manager Karambir Kang, who was at the Taj Hotel during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, called upon the international community to act against terrorism and seek justice for those who died.

The first UN Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism was organized to pay tribute to victims around the world. Karambir Kang shared his painful memories from the 26/11 attack when he lost his wife and two young sons.

"The entire world watched in horror when 10 terrorists attacked my country, my city, and my hotel in Mumbai. Over 34 people lost their lives during the tragedy which lasted three days and nights," Mr. Kang said.

In the attack, my wife and sons perished, and I lost everything. "With only courage and the deeply rooted culture of family that the TATA and Taj groups stand for, my staff members stood strong without any weapons. We lost many brave colleagues and this heroic act saved thousands of lives that night."

The terrorists who entered the hotel met their fate, but those who planned, financed, and organized the attack remain at large.

Even though our company and staff have received global accolades, we have been fighting for justice for 14 long, painful years."

We opened the hotel which was destroyed in 21 days in defiance of terrorism, and today I call upon the international community to work together to seek justice on a national as well as cross-border level.

The member states must unite and defy terrorists so that these heinous crimes do not take root, Mr. Kang said.

The first UN Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism will take place from Sept 8-9 to honor victims of terrorism throughout the world, including those who were killed in the Mumbai terror attack on 26/11.

In New York, the United Nations Headquarters hosted the UN Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism under the auspices of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

As part of this Congress, victims of terrorism will have the opportunity to share their experiences, challenges, stories of resilience, and contributions to society in a socially connected environment.

India at UN tweeted: "Starting tomorrow @UN The 1st #UN Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism, 8-9 Sept, will be a tribute to victims of terrorism around the world, including the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks."

According to the UN, the Congress will allow the audience to learn about good practices undertaken by the Member States and civil society organizations while ensuring that victims' voices are heard and their experiences shape the way forward in their own countries and across borders, as well.

An official statement said earlier that the opening of the Global Congress will include the UN chief Guterres, the Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov, the co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, the Republic of Iraq, and the Kingdom of Spain, as well as senior representatives of the United Nations and international community.

Speakers from the Member States, victims' associations, United Nations entities, civil society organizations, experts, and academics will participate in subsequent plenaries and parallel sessions.

The Global Congress program is based on six overarching themes reflecting victims' rights and needs.

In addition to recognition and remembrance, the themes include Situation Analysis: The changing nature of terrorism and victims of terrorism; Protecting victims' rights; Rehabilitation, assistance, and support; Addressing the rights and needs of terrorist victims with specific needs; and Access to justice.

During her visit to the UN last month, UN Special Rapporteur Fionnuala Ni Aolain urged governments to affirm the human rights of victims of terrorism positively and consistently.

As part of the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, Alain said, "The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism must serve as a call to action and a reminder that commitments made to date need to be implemented immediately to ensure the realization of the rights of victims of terrorism."