MY CLOSEST SHAVE WITH DEATH …!!!
It was in 2008 , November month had just settled in and I was extremely busy with my work . I had been travelling extensively all of Asia Pacific for our business expansion programs . We were all set to have the big pharmaceutical conference Convention of Pharmaceutical & Health Ingredients ( CphI) India to be hosted at Goregaon Grounds , Mumbai
We had a very big pharma company Daichi Sankyo visiting from Japan to here along with us and there were a team of 16 members from Japan landing at all diffirent times . I was asked to have the preparations well done as I was the local here
Considering the very senior managements of the organizations visiting , we had booked at the Taj at Mumbai . All looked good and we were looking forward to this very important and decisive meeting in this event.
It was all set for people landing on 26th November 2008 and we began our business discussions from 27th November 2008
On the Morning of 26th , November , I was driving to office . The road to saket ( where my office was) can get very busy sometimes as I was busy planning the day since I had to leave for the airport by 1430 hrs to take the 1630 hrs Jet airways flight 9w331 to Mumbai so I can reach the hotel by 7 pm and be ready to receive them
As I reached office ,I suddenly hit upon the thought , why should we stay in Nariman Point area if all our meetings are in Goregaon.. All of a sudden the entire logistic looked useless . I called up Maratha Sheraton at Mumbai and I could get the rooms for a higher than usual price but lesser than Taj and was having a private conference room as complimentary . All of a sudden the deal looked good and I nodded . As my staff finalized everything and called the Taj, they were furious that we are cancelling on the morning and were all bent to charge us for no show . An hour of sweet talks and negotiations they agreed to waive that off ..
Just with a sandwich for lunch , I headed to airport and flew off .. I arrived at Mumbai and went ahead and checked in at 1900 hrs at Maratha Sheraton instead of Taj .
A sudden chaos happened to take place as people lunged to the remotes and the TV flashing .. I looked with bewilderment and suddenly noticed
Mumbai had a terrorist attack and the first infliction on the victims started with those who were checking in at 7 pm .. and unfortunately two of my colleagues from Japan ( in another business area) whom I was to meet there were shot dead
It was the closest shave I had in my life , and I couldn’t sleep for a week . I still thank God everyday that Iam alive today .
I still get those hair raising shivers when I pen this article
Menon
