President Obama was taken around the Taj by Ratan Tata, the Chairman of Tata Sons which owns the Taj chain of hotels, and Raymond Bikson, the CEO of the Taj Group. Symbolically, the US President and many in his 3000-person entourage will be staying at the Taj. All the 506 rooms in the hotel have been booked for the delegation.
"There has been a great commentary on our decision to begin our visit here, in this dynamic city at this historic hotel. Those who have asked whether this is intended to send a message, my answer is simply absolutely," Obama told a gathering that included kin of victims and staffers of the hotel who braved the 2008 attack.
He made a special reference to General Manager of the Hotel Karamveer Kang who continued to work at the hotel during the 60 hours of mayhem despite losing his family.
"Taj is a symbol of strength of Indian people." Obama also talked about the role of an Indian nanny who saved the life of a toddler, who lost his Jewish parents during the attack at the Chabad House