Shocked, but taking stock

comfortable life in Mumbai for so many years, he is now contemplating leaving the country. 8220;My family is in France. I am just waiting for things to settle down and then I will check if I can get my belongings back from the hotel. I will fix things here and probably head back to France,8221; he says. Burbun also feels that not many French nationals will risk coming to India.nbsp;

nbsp;Mumbai8217;s spirit is legendary and the city is well-known for welcoming outsiders. However, the last two days have shaken up the expatriate community from all over the world, who are in the city for various purposes. Some are in India for a holiday, others on business assignments.nbsp;Jerome Oberhauser, a senior hairstylist with Jean-Claude Biguine in Bandra, feels the incident will raise questions on the safety and security of tourists in India now. 8220;We are in a complete state of shock,8221; he says. Oberhauser, who hails from France, feels that everyone will think twice before entering Mumbai now. 8220;Though I pray for the safety of every individual who is facing this terror,8221; he says.

nbsp;DJ Morphelius, who is a DJ at Four Seasons, voices the same sentiments. 8220;I have been locked up in my room since that day. It is still dangerous to step out because of major security reasons,8221; says Morphlelius, who will continue to be in India till January. The DJ, who has been asked by his friends and family in the UK to get back, is keen to stay on in India. 8220;I hang out in Colaba almost every other day. I have visited Leopold on many occasions, but this time around I will think twice before going there,8221; he says. He also demands a better security culture in India.

Despite the terror attacks, for some pragmatism is overcoming fear. Ferena Waizer from Scotland, who is in Mumbai to try and make it in movies, says, 8220;I have been frequenting India for the last three years and I see Mumbai as my home.8221;

nbsp;Dennes Van Egmond, a businessman from Holland, who was staying right next to Taj when the massacre happened, visits India frequently and does not feel that these terrorist attacks are going to shake India. 8220;It happens everywhere, from New York to Tokyo, London to Madrid. I am sure India will emerge out of this and I will return here for sure.8221; However, Egmond has a word of caution for India. 8220;A country like India cannot have security guards stationed only in Delhi. This country belongs to the big boys8217; gang.8221;