Varda Shine, Managing Director, Diamond Trading Company (DTC), had a lucky escape at the Taj Hotel, Mumbai last night. Ms Shine was also in the hotel beseiged by terrorists, but escaped any untoward incident because she left the hotel with a group of friends for dinner at a restaurant. Ms Varda Shine does not wish to comment any further on the incident and will be leaving home for London tonight. %% Ms Shine was present in the city to address a conference entitled – ‘Meet and Greet with Varda Shine’, scheduled to be held on 28th November 2008 at the Emerald / Jade Room at the Taj Mahal hotel. In response to the attacks, the diamond market is officially closed today.