'No impact on mindset of visitors'

Dubai: The terror attacks in Mumbai last year have not deterred UAE nationals from proceeding on business and leisure trips to the city, a UAE diplomat observed.

"Emiratis are still coming to Mumbai in large numbers for business and also for medical treatment. I do not think the attacks and its aftermath have had any impact on the mindset of visitors," Mohammad Al Mazroui, UAE Vice-Consul in Mumbai, told Gulf News over the phone.

In fact, more than 20 families from the UAE have already booked hotels to be in Mumbai on the twenty-sixth of this month, which will mark the first anniversary of the attacks, he added.

Mazroui, who has been based in Mumbai for the last 18 years, said the nature of the city is such that people move on with a renewed zest for life everyday.

"May be scars of 26/11 are still there. But people go on with their daily chores quite unperturbed and, likewise, tourists also move around the city quite comfortably," he said.

Home away from home

Ebrahim Ahmad, 55, a UAE national who is currently in Mumbai, said the city is almost like home for him.

"My connection with Mumbai started way back in 1972. I have some of my close friends living here. I was definitely shocked by the way terrorists took this great city by siege. But nothing will stop me from coming here," said the Sharjah-based businessman.

Ahmad said he is planning to bring his entire family to Mumbai to celebrate Eid. "They also love the place. They used to worry for me when I was visiting Mumbai a few weeks after the attacks happened. Now like everybody else they are at ease [and] have forgotten the traumatic incident."

Ali Bin Raqaat from Umm Al Quwain, currently in Mumbai for medical treatment, said the city is a place where one can step out even at 3 in the morning and feel safe. "Mumbai was my first choice when I had to go to India for medial treatment because I still believe it is safe. It was unfortunate that those terrorists could hold the city at gun point and unleash such mindless violence."

Echoing similar sentiments, Ebrahim Al Naqbi, a businessman based in Dubai, said he would not hesitate to go to Mumbai. "I have not been there after 26/11. But many of my friends have, they say they are absolutely fine."

Mazroui said the UAE Consulate is offering all possible support and help to Emiratis visiting Mumbai. "We are available at any point of time on the telephone. We ensure people that there is nothing to worry and help them with arrangements for stay, treatment and travel."