The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondents

As part of his daylong tour of Bangladesh, Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee distributed relief goods among cyclone-hit people at Rayenda in Sharankhola upazila yesterday.

While talking to cross-sections of local people, mostly rendered pauper by the devastating cyclone, they requested the Indian foreign minister to take steps so essentials could be brought here from his country.

A helicopter of Bangladesh Air Force carrying Mukherjee from the capital, Dhaka, landed at Rayenda helipad at about 3:40pm. He went to an army camp at Rayenda School, where local army commander Lieutenant Colonel Sayeed Siddiqui briefed him about the losses caused by cyclone Sidr in the district. The Indian leader visited affected areas in

Rayenda and distributed relief goods from his country among the victims. He also inquired about the losses caused by the cyclone.

Mukherjee said, "I came here to convey the sympathy to cyclone-affected people in Bangladesh on behalf of my government."

He expressed his hope that victims would be able to overcome the

losses.

Mukherjee also visited an army-run water plant at Rayenda. He left here for capital by helicopter at about 4:08pm, concluding his relief mission.

Communications Adviser Major General (Retd) MA Matin, Foreign Secretary Mohammad Towhid Hossain, Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Pinak Ranjan Chakrabarty and Jessore GOC Major General Rafiqul Islam were, among others, present during the Indian minister's visit.

Earlier, reaching at Barisal Airport Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that the government and people of India expressed their solidarity with the government and people of Bangladesh at their hours of disaster and crisis.

Expressing profound sympathy for the cyclone affected people, he said that India would stand by the side of the distressed people of Bangladesh until they are rehabilitated.

Pranab arrived at Barisal Airport in the afternoon by a helicopter to visit cyclone-affected areas.

He was accompanied by Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakrabarti, joint secretary TS Trimurthi of High Commission of India in Bangladesh, Director of External Affairs Ministry of India Bikram Misri, Foreign Secretary and Food Secretary of Bangladesh and other dignitaries.

The Indian foreign minister was received at Barisal Airport by Communications Adviser and Coordinator of Central Relief Activities Maj Gen (Retd) MA Matin, GOC of 55 Division Major General Rafiqul Islam, Brig Gen Rashiduzaman of the Bangladesh Army and other senior civil and military officials.

Maj Gen Matin and Brig Gen Rashiduzzaman in their brief speeches at the airport gave a hearty welcome to the honourable guests from India recalling the friendly relationship between the two countries.

They also recalled the assistance provided by India in the hours of need of Bangladesh.

They also expressed their gratitude and thanked the government and people of India for coming forward with assistance for the cyclone-affected distressed people of Bangladesh at this hour of crisis.

The Indian Foreign Minister and his team left Barisal for Sharankhola of Bagerhut district to see the extent of damage and devastation of cyclone Sidr and the plight of people.

The Indian delegation was expected to return Dhaka in evening after taking an aerial view of the Sidr affected area of Patharghata of Barguna district.