The Hindu : National : Basu was sailing to Phuket when tsunami struck

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 06, 2005

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National

Basu was sailing to Phuket when tsunami struck

By Malabika Bhattacharya

KOLKATA, JAN. 5 . The former West Bengal Chief Minister, Jyoti Basu, says he felt the tsunami on board a cruise liner en route to Thailand from Singapore on the morning of December 26. In fact, Mr. Basu was on his way to the Thai resort of Phuket when the ship by which he was travelling felt the effects of the tsunami.

Narrating his experience, Mr. Basu says that after his vessel encountered the mild effects of the tsunami, the destination was changed and Phuket was avoided.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, has suggested to the captain of the Indian cricket team, Sourav Ganguly, that a one-day cricket match be organised in aid of those who have been affected by the tsunami in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. The final decision is expected to be taken in a day or two.

Mr. Bhattacharjee is also reported to have suggested to the national football star, Baichung Bhutia, at the Writers' Buildings, the State headquarters, on Tuesday that a football match be organised on similar grounds, the ticket proceeds of which would go to the relief fund set up for the tsunami victims. Mr. Bhutia is said to have told Mr. Bhattacharjee that he would discuss the issue with fellow footballers and get back to him. He handed over a cheque for Rs. 15 lakhs to the Chief Minister's relief fund. Till now, Rs. 31 lakhs has been donated to the fund. Mr. Bhattacharjee said today that the State Government would soon dispatch relief material to Tamil Nadu for those affected by the tsunami. "Earlier, we had sent relief to the Andamans. Now, we will send it to Tamil Nadu."

For the record, the State Government had shipped nearly 130 tonnes of material including foodstuff and drinking water to the Andamans.

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