KOLKATA: The Great Eastern Hotel , a symbol of the city's heritage and one of the most prominent structures from the Raj era, started its second innings after a soft launch on Tuesday. Renamed The Lalit Great Eastern, all but the Victorian block of the hotel is ready to welcome visitors. While the hotel could take another six months to get the block functional, guests would start occupying rooms within the next 15-20 days.

"Great Eastern is one of the most prominent heritage buildings of Kolkata. It is now a new hotel that retains the heritage character. Thankfully, Bengal is now getting more visitors from abroad. I am sure this hotel is going to conquer and touch people's hearts," said chief minister Mamata Banerjee , who presided over the re-inauguration and also painted on the canvas much to the delight of the guests.

Addressing the gathering, Lalit Suri Hospitality Group chairman and managing director Jyotsna Suri said Great Eastern was not just a hqotel but an international monument. "This day is important for it happens to be the birth anniversary of my late husband Lalit Suri. Also, it was on this day 173 years ago that this hotel was launched under the name of Wilson's Hotel. Many distinguished luminaries like Mahatma Gandhi, Queen Elizabeth II, Rudyard Kipling and Mark Twain have stayed here, making it a special hotel," she said.

