Mumbai: MUMBAI's mood after the gruesome 26/11 attacks has been mirrored in peace marches and citizens joining hands. Now three weeks later, a group of young businessmen have raised Rs 30 lakh to buy 100 bulletproof vests that they plan to buy and donate to the Mumbai police.

Called Project Bullet Proof, the 20-odd businessmen have already started scouting for bulletproof jackets.
"We have ordered for product catalogs from companies in Israel and the US. The same will soon be shared with the police so that they can shortlist and select the final product," said Kishore Luthria, chairman of Tian Group of Hotels.

Luthria has himself been a victim of terror. His family once owned Hotel Sea Rock that was among the 12 targets of the 1993 serial bomb blasts that rocked Mumbai.

Speaking of how the idea to donate bulletproof jackets germinated, Luthria said, "The cops should fight the terrorists without fear. They can do this only when they feel protected and secure with proper bullet proof vests and body armour."

The group plans to donate vests that are similar to the ones used by American and Israeli forces. They cost about Rs 25,000 a piece (without import duty). But importing the bulletproof jackets will not be an easy task. "Not everyone can purchase or import a bulletproof jacket. It requires the approval of the home department," another group member Tanya Chhabria said.

To ensure that the import is hurdle-free, the group has written to the Home Minister Jayant Patil seeking approval along with an import duty waiver. "A major chunk of the money will go into paying the taxes and will translate into lesser jackets being imported," she rued.

Yet another contributor, Samita Sawney said, "We decided to procure the jackets ourselves since it would otherwise take the government a decade in procuring them."

 Expecting a positive response from the government, the group is initiating talks with the manufacturers of the bulletproof vests.