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Desi paan shop 'illuminates' Sandy-hit New Jersey

Last updated on: November 2, 2012 11:21 IST
Indian Americans gather outside Laxmi Pan Center in Jersey City on Wednesday

United States is yet to recover from the ordeal caused by 'superstorm' Sandy with toll mounting to 90 and estimated loss amounting to $50 billion. About 4.5 million people in 12 states are still without power, and chronic fuel shortages persist.

In New Jersey, one of the worst-hit states, streets are waterlogged, basements flooded, and darkness hovers thanks to power outages. It's not just the same city anymore.

However, a nondescript paan (betel) and tobacco shop, owned by an Indian American, is supposedly the only shop in New Jersey which has electricity thanks to a generator.

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Desi paan shop 'illuminates' Sandy-hit New Jersey

Last updated on: November 2, 2012 11:21 IST
Superstorm Sandy has left New Jersey, and 11 other states, in darkness

The 'well-illuminated' Laxmi Pan Center has suddenly become the talk of the town and desis are turning up in huge numbers outside the shop in their times of despair.

The ordinary shop has sent out an extraordinary message: that there's always light at the end of the tunnel.

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Last updated on: November 2, 2012 11:21 IST

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