Seattle techies decry Mumbai attacks; Microsoft workers told to avoid city

Indian-American entrepreneurs in Seattle's technology community expressed shock and outrage over the tense situation in Mumbai, where 119 people have been killed in terrorist attacks that have virtually shut down one of India's most important commercial cities.  Meanwhile, alerts went out to technology professionals at Microsoft and other companies doing business in India warning employees to avoid Mumbai.

Microsoft employees in Mumbai also have been told to stay indoors, according to the Times of India.

Livemocha Chief Executive Shirish Nadkarni has several family members living in Mumbai, noting in an email Thursday that all were safe.

Calling the attacks a "senseless tragedy," the former Microsoft manager said that he is "hoping and praying that the hostages that are still being held at the Oberoi hotel are rescued safely." Nadkarni had heard from his sister in Mumbai, who said the city had come to a "standstill" with banks, schools and other businesses closed.

Meanwhile, Intelius Chief Executive Naveen Jain -- who holds a degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee -- condemned the attacks.

"I don’t understand what goes through the minds of these terrorists to do what they do," said Jain, who had visited Mumbai two years ago. "I can’t imagine someone waking up in the morning and deciding to kill innocent people. I will love to find ways to provide direct support to the families of the victims in their difficult times."

Livemocha and Intelius don't have operations in Mumbai, but other Seattle area technology companies do. Nadkarni said he had corresponded with Rajeev Agarwal of Redmond's MAQ Software, whose Mumbai operations are doing fine.

Former Microsoft executive and Seattle angel investor Vijay Vashee said he has stayed at the Oberoi hotel on a number of occasions when traveling to Mumbai for business. Because of that, he said, the recent events "bring back memories and shock."

Vashee, who attended the technical university in Mumbai and has friends and family who live north of the areas that were hit, believes India's tourism economy will be hurt and he worries about foreign investment.

"Historically Mumbai has recovered fairly quick and went back to business," said Vashee, who still plans to visit India for an upcoming trip. "This time it feels like a 9-11 type of a shock to the system."

Meanwhile, Vidya Natampally, director of strategy at Microsoft Research India, tells Computerworld that the company is committed to doing business in India.

"It is sad that this has happened, but we are confident that India will bounce back to normalcy," said Natampally. .