Prayers held in New York for well being of fellow Indians in terror-struck Mumbai

New York, Nov 28 : More than 100 people, mostly Indians, gathered at the Hindu Temple Society of North America in Flushing, New York, to pray for peace after militant Muslims killed more than 100 people in a bloody rampage.

Those who attended the prayer meeting said that they were worried for their fellow Indians back home. One Jagdish Shetty (47) of Flushing, Queens, said he was shaken because his family, including his parents and siblings, live in Mumbai. He called them up to inquire about their safety. "They were nervous and scared," said Shetty who said he went to school a few blocks from the hotels that were attacked, he said.

"It's terrible. I can't believe it happened," he added.

According to the New York Daily News, disbelief was rampant in the Jackson Heights enclave known as "Little India", where residents worried about relatives and the effect the attacks will have on the country's economy.

"Everyone is worried. Nobody will want to come to Mumbai after this," said Perminder Singh, the 41-year-old owner of New Bollywood Music.

Likewise, Varadarajan Vasu (30) feared the attacks would lead to more violence. "India is a country of many colors, languages and religions. This will only set us back," said the Chelsea resident.

Ashok Sewhani, 31, who sells videos and compact disks at his New Singapore Emporium, said his uncle lives in the area where the attacks occurred. "The curfew is keeping everyone off the street. My grandmother needs dialysis treatment and can't leave the house," he added.

ANI