Credit: X
Former cricketing legend and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly's elder brother Snehasish, and his wife Arpita had a close call where their speedboat capsized during a leisure trip at Puri, Orissa. The incident happened during the water sports activity, both went to the Puri beach near the Lighthouse stretch, just opposite the Hotel Sonar Bangla. In a video shared on X, the sea condition looked rough and alert lifeguard professionals were seen rescuing both Snehasish and Arpita. Both Arpita and Senhasish wearing life jackets, were seen traumatized after the rescue. Post-incident, Arpita Ganguly demanded the suspension of all water sports happening at the Puri beach due to IMD's prediction of heavy rains in the region.
“We were saved by the grace of God. I am still in trauma. This should not happen and water sports in the sea must be properly regulated,” Arpita Ganguly told PTI. She also claimed that the operator allegedly loaded only 3-4 passengers on the boat that can load around 10 passengers at once. She is planning to write to the Superintendent of Police in Puri, along with the Odisha Chief Minister, to look into safety measures in sports activities at the Puri beach.
"This is sort of a second life for us," Snehasish Ganguly after the incident
Snehasish Ganguly and his wife Arpita have been visiting Puri every year and enjoy water sports, and also perform puja at the Jagannath Temple. “I thank Lord Jagannath. This is sort of a second life for us," Ganguly (56), former Bengal cricketer and current Cricket Association of Bengal President, told Cricbuzz. “It was a life-threatening accident. Our boat capsized at sea, and we were saved by the local people and lifeguards. “I visit Puri every year – it has been a tradition for the past 31 years. I perform puja at the Jagannath Temple annually. On Saturday, we suddenly decided to go into the sea. I don’t know why I chose to do it – it was a last-minute decision."
Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall in the region due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. IMD has advised fishermen to stay away from the sea until the condition settles down.
