A day after 16 bombs ravaged Ahmedabad, the city looked resolved not to let communal tensions take hold. As leaders of both Hindu and Muslim communities urged for peace, in the wake of terrorists citing the Gujarat riots as the provocation for the attacks, people went about their business with calm acceptance. Though Sunday is a weekly off for most shops and business establishments, people braved out of homes to convey a sense of business as usual.Perhaps mindful of the fact that the fallout of riots affects both the communities, there seems a genuine concern this time to ensure that Gujarat retains its reputation of being among the most investor- friendly of all states.If the big business houses have been quick to assure that Gujarat’s preeminent position won’t suffer, small-time traders at the diamond market in Bapunagar, which was rocked by the blasts, are determined to return to work from Monday.The general provisions stores and roadside stalls which opened their outlets did brisk business. In the more affluent areas of the city, life was near normal, with well-heeled people flocking to the malls for the ongoing monsoon sales. “This is a short-term setback which will not affect the pace of industrial development in Gujarat,” the chairman of Gujarat’s CII chapter, industrialist Vimal Ambani, told The Indian Express. “We are sure of moving forward despite all odds.” Adding that no state in the world could provide foolproof security, he said CII-Gujarat could put forth recommendations to the state Government to ensure better security for industries.Rupesh Shah, president, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI), criticised the bombings and termed it an effort to destabilise industrial activities. “Bangalore is the hub of IT industry and known for its industries, the same can be said for Ahmedabad as well. So it’s a deliberate, well-planned effort to disturb industrial activities in both the states,” he said. He added that they would urge the Government to boost security at market places, acquire more advanced technology to fight terror and make the law more stringent to curb terrorism.S P Jain, vice-president, Hotels and Restaurant Association, Western India (HRAWI), said: “For the past two years Gujarat has been doing well in the hotel industry front. Such terrorist attacks will not have a long-term impact on the hotel industry.”
