Industry captains react

Ratan N Tata, chairman, Tata Sons, and chairman, Indian Hotels Co Ltd: “The terrible wanton attacks last night on innocent people and the destruction of prominent landmarks in India deserve to be universally condemned. We cannot replace the lives that have been lost and we will never forget the terrifying events of last night, but we must stand together, shoulder to shoulder as citizens of India, and rebuild what has been destroyed. We must show that we cannot be disabled or destroyed, but that such heinous act will only make us stronger. It is important that we do not allow divisive forces to weaken us. We need to overcome these forces as one strong unified nation.”

Rahul Bajaj, chairman,Bajaj Auto: "This is a shame on our government that they cannot provide citizens with the basic security. We are tired of hearing Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Malegaon, Delhi and the commercial capital. This is not acceptable. Whether it affects business, whether business bounces back, whether it affects tourism is secondary to my mind...The government must provide security."

KV Kamath,MD & CEO, ICICI Bank: “The attacks clearly show that our institutions could be vulnerable, whether these are institutions of commerce like hotels or any institution doing any sort of business."

Niranjan Hiranandani, managing director, Hiranandani Constructions: “I think it is an economic attack than anything else. More than harming people, they are trying to destabilise the economy. They want to scare away investments, business opportunities and foreign travellers coming to India. They want to create an economic crisis in the country which is already passing through a tough phase. Besides, all top businessmen used to do their business in the attacked hotels, whether it is Ratan Tata or Mukesh Ambani. The terrorists want to destroy all the future business opportunities in the city.”

Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman & managing director, Mahindra & Mahindra: "This attack on Mumbai should and will be seen as a part of a globally coordinated escalation in terrorist activity. The response therefore needs to be a global one. India must work in tandem with other nations and dramatically enhance its capacity to cope with, indeed prevent such brazen attacks on its nerve centres. In the meantime, Mumbai and its citizens will demonstrate yet again that we refuse to allow our spirit to be subdued by the forces of terror."

AKHIL GUPTA, chairman, Blackstone India: "Mumbai is a very resilient city. The last time we had terror attack, the city was up and running within 24 hours. I don't think business confidence or any investment outlook will be hit much."

 

VIJAY MALLYA, chairman, Kingfisher Airlines: "The government needs to really start acting tough. In our political system, we soft-peddle issues many times...but this kind of national disgrace needs to be dealt with a very firm hand. As far as Kingfisher Airlines is concerned, we have put everybody on high alert and we are reviewing the flight schedule in and out of Mumbai."

WILFRIED AULBUR, managing director & CEO, DaimlerChrysler India Pvt Ltd: "This will not have a major impact on foreign direct investment in India. India remains a very positive FDI location and we hope that the incident will be investigated and dealt with in a calm and fact-based manner. We will continue to do our business as usual but definitely everybody will be advised to be careful."

NR NARAYANA MURTHY, chief mentor, Infosys Technologies: "Given the fact that all Indians will regroup quickly, given the fact that the government will fight it and we will take necessary precautions, I am not at all worried that this would have any permanent effect in terms of business flow into India."

AMAR LULLA, joint manging director, Cipla Ltd: "It is a total breakdown of the security system in India. In terms of international business, the fear and uncertainty which was already there in the minds will be exaggerated. Business sentiment will be affected. It doesn't bode well for business."