Thank-you note from Al-Gore, Former Vice President, USA
MUMBAI: When terrorists laid seige on Mumbai, martial arts practitioner Mehul Vora traveled the length and breadth of the city to protect the lives of four foreigners on instructions from former US vice-president Al Gore.
On Wednesday, Vora received a pat-on-the-back letter from Gore for “rescuing and protecting four American and British nationals on 26/11”.
But things were not going so happy for Vora during 26/11 and in its immediate aftermath; he was on the verge of being arrested for possessing a gun and a top-of-the-line bullet-proof vest that only defense personnel should be wearing!
“I own a disaster-management firm and was booked by Live Earth India Concert for its December 7 show. A four-person team from Live Earth was in Mumbai on December 26 for a recce.
Their chief of security called me at night urging me to ensure the safety of the four who were in different parts of the city.” One was in Andheri, two were at The Mariott in Juhu and a fourth near the Taj.
Vora first got the person from Lokhandwala and took him to the Mariott where he was detained for having a gun and a grade-III Kevlar bullet-proof jacket.
Only after he told cops the nature of his work was he released. He then rushed to track the lady who had, providentially, left the Taj before the attack and was outside. On the morning after 26/11, Vora took them to the airport and put them on the first available flight to Europe.
Original article: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Mumbaikar-gets-a-pat-on-back-from-Gore/articleshow/3920734.cms
By Pradeep Vijayakar / V Narayan Swami | TNN | Jan1, 2009, 05:32 IST