Ride was part of initiative to renew foreigners' confidence in Mumbai post 26/11 terror attacks

Fifty corporate biggies of different nationalities went sightseeing in Mumbai in autorickshaws yesterday. The joyride was part of an initiative to change visitors' perception of urban India, which, the hosts said, suffered a setback after the 26/11 terror attacks.

The CEOs and regional heads, all working for DHL's South Asia-Pacific and Europe regions, were in Mumbai for a company summit during which they took to the road in 16 autorickshaws. "The 26/11 terror attacks kept foreigners away. The company decided to ensure that the perception changed for the better," explained Franz Festl, general manager, (Trade Lane Management India), DHL Global Forwarding.

Festl said many of the top bosses were visiting India for the first time. "They were thrilled at the sight of a black and yellow three-wheeler operating on CNG or petrol," said Festl. Christoph Remund, chief executive officer, DHL Lemuir Logistics, who was among the 50 executives, said the experience was exhilarating.

"Life in India is so rich in experience that it overwhelms you. All you can do is chart a path through it and wait for a new adventure to unfold," Remund said.

Autorickshaw drivers also tutored the guests in basic Hindi sentences that they would need to travel by autorickshaws by themselves. "The idea was to give the corporate honchos a feel of how to move around in Indian cities," said Remund.

The guests also played a game of rick football, which involved kicking the ball seated in six moving rickshaws.u00a0