Dated 11th Dec 2008

Update from the desk of Chairman, 43rd IOC…………

Dear fellow 43rd IOC delegates, members of the trade fraternity and the worthy speakers,

I had taken upon myself to keep you all updated of the situation here in Mumbai subsequent to some testing fortnight here. Undoubtedly some of untoward sights and events during this time will remain strongly etched in our memory. Countless acts of bravery and benevolence of we Indians will always stand out in these trying times.

However the well-known ‘Sprit of Mumbai’ has come back into reckoning, and visible in many ways. The traffic and business are back to their busy routine. City is once again buzzing, with added sense of safety by all concerned. We have been able to get additional police security at the Nehru centre and right now our HQ hotel ‘Grand Hyatt’ resembles a fortress!

A good majority of (ninety percent) of the invited faculty –both foreign and domestic- have been magnanimous in showing their solidarity and resolve to be with us, defying all that sense of anxiety and  trepidation. Our sincere and heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of them. All the pre and post conference courses are in place, and happening, the registrations for them are still open

Lastly our delegates and the members of the trade fraternity, who are our focus and inspiration have turned their faces to this untimely acts of terror and have shown their grit and kinship to be with us during these troubled times. There have been hardly any cancellations from these quarters. We are deeply grateful and indebted to them for such camaraderie.

We are looking forward to seeing you here in our brave city ‘Mumbai’

‘Me Mumbaiker’

Mani K. Prakash