Odisha govt extends help to ailing artiste Asim Basu

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jan 25:

Finally, Odisha government has extended its helping hand to the ailing octogenarian eminent stage artiste, theatre director, artist, painter, and writer- Asim Basu.

While the state government’s Culture department has sanctioned an amount of Rs 1 lakh, the Khordha district administration has sanctioned Rs 20,000 in cash for Basu’s treatment.

The veteran stage artiste is suffering from lungs infection and was undergoing treatment in a private nursing home for the same.

But due to acute shortage of money, his family had shifted him to their home and he was undergoing treatment at his residence.

“Asim Da is loved by all. He will get well soon and I feel he has many more works remaining to do. I am in talks with the Director. I will make arrangement for his treatment at home. A doctor will visit him at his home and offer treatment,” said Niranjan Sahu, Khordha Collector who was on a visit to Basu residence.

“Yes, I have received phone calls from the Culture department as well as from the district administration. He is slowly improving. His health condition is improving and many have come forward to stand by us. That’s what is heartening,” said Vaswatee Basu, daughter of the artiste.

The government came forward to help the 81-year-old theatre director after the matter was reported in a large section of the media.