They stared death in the face, and won

KOLKATA: They stood out among the harrowed lot that landed at Kolkata Airport on Tuesday. Their beaming faces said it all.
They had stared death in the face, and lived to tell about it. And unlike others who were shattered by the trauma, these 21 adventurous ''youths'' from Asansol (one of them is a sprightly 72) took it as a challenge. Their determination inspired other marooned victims to overcome their fears and survive the calamity.
Whether it was keeping one''s cool when the jetty was crumbling around them, or climbing a hill to escape the surging waves, this group showed steely resolve in the face of adversity. What''s life without a bit of adventure. The real thrill of mountain climbing is in the risk involved. Surviving Sunday''s tsunami was the greatest adventure of all.
I feel invigorated and rejuvenated I''ve never felt more alive in my life," said a beaming Biswanath Ghosh, the team leader, moments after his arrival on Tuesday morning. Ghosh has a passion for travelling and scaling treacherous mountains.
His mountaineering skills sure came in handy in those crucial hours after the earthquake struck the island. The enthusiasm in the group was quite infectious. P.K Sarkar, a septuagenarian, had a spring in his step. "As a youngster I loved facing challenges head on. This was a real test and I passed it with flying colours," Sarkar said. But would he return to the Emerald Isles that so nearly killed him? “I''ll be back.
The people of Havelock are just wonderful," Sarkar gushed. Fellow survivor S.L Ray, an employee of Eastern Coalfields, said, "This was the ultimate in crisis management. Not once did we lose heart. Our positive attitude rubbed of on many other survivors. Sarkar da, our seniormost member, has the most incredible zest for life, it made us want to keep fighting when the going got really tough."
Antara Ray, his daughter, has "rediscovered" the meaning of life. "Life is wonderful. Very often we take tomorrow for granted. Such an experience makes one realise the true value of being alive. I feel like I''ve been reborn," Antara said. Trayee Ganguly, a college student and the youngest in the group, feels that that she is richer from the experience.
"I''ve learnt a lot from this trip. I''ll be able to face life''s challenges better," she said. Ajay Sarkar recounted how other tourists were enthused by the Asansol group''s never-saydie attitude. "All our group members survived. Many others felt greatly comforted by our smiling faces and words of encouragement," Sarkar said.
"When we left on this trip we were complete strangers. After this experience we have bonded like one big happy family. Together we weathered the storm and experienced the dance of death without blinking," remarked Biswanath Ghosh.