India Inc rallied in unison behind India Hotels, which has sought an apology from Orient-Express Hotels (OEH) over remarks that implied the Taj group hotel chain sought an alliance with the London-based hotelier in order to piggyback its global brand equity.
?We are no one?s slaves and the stand taken by the Tata group resonates a strong, confident India which is not going to take any nonsense from anyone,? said Kishore Biyani, CEO, The Future Group.
His voice echoed in corner offices across the country. ?The statement made by OEH is highly colonial and contentious for a group of such global stature. The statement deserves a strong response. The Tatas are the ultimate trust mark for any corporate house in India,? said Rana Kapoor, MD & CEO, Yes Bank.
?Over its 100-year history, the Tatas have in the global arena established an enviable and sparkling record of quality, values, ethics and corporate social responsibility,? concurred SS Mehta, director general, CII.
Even minister for commerce & industry Kamal Nath was irked enough to offer a statement. ?It is very disappointing that people don?t understand that Asia is known for its hospitality. It is important that OEH understand that today Indian entrepreneurs and intellectuals are respected worldwide and they should also do so,? he said, adding that these comments show ?a mindset of the past. They have to see the architecture of the future.?
While agreeing with his peers, Shivender Mohan Singh, board member, Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd and managing director, Fortis Health Care, believed there was a lesson in the episode for the future: ?Indians have proved to be amongst the world?s best as entrepreneurs, managers, academicians and indeed in all walks of life. The comment shows insecurity and western bias. The learning for us is that once we emerge dominant in the global stage we should also not judge a book by its cover.?
In a sharply worded letter to OEH president & CEO Paul White on Wednesday night, Indian Hotels vice-chairman RK Krishna Kumar said he felt compelled to correct the misinformation circulating in the news media as a result of an earlier letter written by White.
In this earlier letter rebuffing advances by Indian Hotels for a second time, White had said that tying up with the ?predominantly Indian? hospitality firm would erode his chain?s brand image.
?We ask that OEH publish a formal apology to Taj Hotels using the same channels that OEH used to publicise its letter to Taj Hotels, including posting the apology on its global website,? Kumar wrote.
?Taj Hotels is a proud Indian company, and it will persevere with its global expansion strategy. Indian companies will continue to play a meaningful role in the ongoing global economic integration… Enterprises and individuals must… adapt to these fundamental economic changes… those with a fossilised frame of mind risk being marginalised,? Kumar added.
Queries sent to White?s office by PTI remained unanswered and his London office said he was on leave until January 2.