NEW DELHI: Late communist leader Sitaram Yechury had once received an unexpected call from Cuban comrade Fidel Castro which led him to keep a book of statistics handy every time he travelled to the Caribbean nation.
“Official party delegation, Jyoti Basu and I were there in 1994. That’s when at 11pm Fidel sir sent a message,” said Yechury as he began his anecdote of one of his rare meetings with Castro.
Sharing Jyoti Basu’s irritation over this odd-hour invite, Yechury continued, “Since Jyoti Basu was already preparing to retire, so he wanted to postpone it for the next day.Now, he’s the commandent there, he is the boss of the country. He kept talking till 2 in the morning.”
“And suddenly, he said, what is the production of steel in India?,” Yechury added.
Speaking exclusively to Samdish Bhatia, Yechury said candidly, “Jyoti Basu was already annoyed. How would he remeber such statistics. He’s asking this so late in the night.”
“So then, Fidel turned to me.”
“He said he’s (Jyoti) been a very senior leader, but you young man should know all this information on the tip of your fingers,” Yechury continued.
“Next time onwards, whenever I go to Cuba, there’s a small handbook of statistics. I keep it with me.
Who knows anyone, anywhere can ask,” he said laughing.
Yechury passed away on Thursday at the age of 74 after suffering from prolonged illness.
“Official party delegation, Jyoti Basu and I were there in 1994. That’s when at 11pm Fidel sir sent a message,” said Yechury as he began his anecdote of one of his rare meetings with Castro.
Sharing Jyoti Basu’s irritation over this odd-hour invite, Yechury continued, “Since Jyoti Basu was already preparing to retire, so he wanted to postpone it for the next day.Now, he’s the commandent there, he is the boss of the country. He kept talking till 2 in the morning.”
“And suddenly, he said, what is the production of steel in India?,” Yechury added.
Speaking exclusively to Samdish Bhatia, Yechury said candidly, “Jyoti Basu was already annoyed. How would he remeber such statistics. He’s asking this so late in the night.”
“So then, Fidel turned to me.”
“He said he’s (Jyoti) been a very senior leader, but you young man should know all this information on the tip of your fingers,” Yechury continued.
“Next time onwards, whenever I go to Cuba, there’s a small handbook of statistics. I keep it with me.
Who knows anyone, anywhere can ask,” he said laughing.
Yechury passed away on Thursday at the age of 74 after suffering from prolonged illness.
