Former Dubai resident lends sweet helping hand

Mumbai: Business has come to a standstill for many shops in terror-striken South Mumbai, but not for sweet shop owner Eeshwar Moorthy, a returnee from Dubai.

While the armed forces were busy fighting terrorists at Nariman House, a few metres away from Eeshwar's Colaba Sweet Mart, he is leading a small army of his own.

Eeshwar and his seven employees have been serving free tea and snacks for police and army personnel, scores of journalists and hundreds of onlookers during the hostage drama and rescue operation that have been continuing in Nariman House since Wednesday night.

"My shop has been closed since then, but it does not stop me from helping out people who are fighting for the country's cause," says Eeshwar.

He feels this is the time people should forget all their differences and unite.

"Money or business are not important. I am not bothered about it. Now we all want our nation to win over these terrorists," he said.

He and his men have been on duty since Wed-nesday night and have supplied more than 150 litres of tea daily. "And we are also making some snacks.

"These people are standing here the whole day. Some are journalists, others are policemen. They are all on duty. And I felt that they all need some refreshment. And of course we have curious onlookers too," said Eeshwar.

Arjun Singh, Eeshwar's employee, said he approves of what his boss is doing. "This is the spirit of Mumbai. We might have our differences. But in a time of crisis we are there for each other," said Arjun.

In Dubai, Eeshwar ran an export business in Deira until five years ago but had to come back to look after the family business.

"We have been running this shop for three generations. But I still miss the Deira corniche and the Gold Souq," said Eeshwar who still has relatives in Dubai.