Saturday, April 2 2005 19:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: About 20 fishermen of Devanampattinam village in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu swam to safety after their boat capsized due to overcrowding, about 25 feet from the shore this evening (Apr 2, 2005), official sources said.

The boat that capsized was one of the five donated by Bollywood actor, Vivek Oberoi, for the last year Tsunami affected people of the district.

The actor and the district collector, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, set sail in another boat to instil confidence among the fishermen. The other boats carried only a limited number of fishermen, while putting to sea.

The five boats were handed over to the affected fishermen by the actor at a function here this evening.

Sources from Cuddalore told sources in Chennai that over-enthusiastic local fishermen ventured into the sea in the five new boats donated by the actor.

Normally five or six fishermen put to the sea in a boat, but one overturned because of overcrowding.

Later, Vivek told newsmen that there were criticisms in certain quarters that he was doing this "only for money." "By God's grace, I have plenty of money. I will continue to do my service for the poor."