Port Blair, Dec.27: The Lt. Governor, A&N Islands & Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency, Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.) today inaugurated the five days gala event, Island Tourism Festival -2023 at the ITF Ground at 4.30 pm. The inaugural programme was also be graced by the Member of Parliament, A&N Islands, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Chief Secretary (I/C), A&N Administration, Shri Nikhil Kumar, IAS, senior officers from the Administration. Inaugurating the Island Tourism Festival (ITF) here on Wednesday, Admiral Joshi said, “I believe tourism and hospitality will give unprecedented impetus to the islands.”
Admiral Joshi, who is also the vice-chairman of the Islands Development Agency (IDA), said, “To promote the tourism and the hospitality sector, it is important to improve infrastructure. In the last couple of years, we drew attention towards improving the infrastructure to woo investors. Recently, we held an investor conference in Delhi and got a very good response.”
Highlighting the recent infrastructure development in the islands, Admiral Joshi announced that two more greenfield airports are in the pipeline including one in Port Blair (apart from the existing Veer Savarkar International Airport) and another in Great Nicobar.
For better inter-island connectivity to promote tourism, the Lt. Governor said selection of operators for three sea ports at Long Island, Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep and for UDAN scheme at Diglipur, Car Nicobar, Campbell Bay and Great Nicobar has been finalised.
“Infrastructure improvement is going on and these flight services will be operational soon,” he said.
“Except for two years in the past including one during Covid, our annual tourist arrivals are very impressive. By December 31, we are expecting that the tourist footfall will cross the 5 lakh mark,” he said.
“In the last 5-6 years, the central government has approved Rs 95,000 crore funds for infrastructure development of this island and therefore 2024 will be a transformational year,” the Lt. Governor said.
This gala event is being organized by the Tourism Department in association with Department of Art & Culture, A&N Administration. The inaugural programme featured ‘Ganesh Vandana’ performance by differently abled artistes on wheelchairs who are associated with- ‘We Are One’. This was followed by Choreography presentation titled ‘Tributes to lives lost in Tsunami 2004’. The evening also witnessed Live Band performance by Nicobarese Artistes ‘Kuan Panam’ known for their soulful performance packed with electrifying guitarist and keyboard players.
The first day of Island Tourism Festival i.e., Dec.27 showcased Rajasthani Folk Music Performances at 5.30 pm by artistes of SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth) at the ITF Ground. This was followed by performance by ‘We are One’ at 6.30 pm and Choreography presentation by Ms Shohini Dutta at 7.30 pm and live Band Kuan Panam at 8 pm. Performance by artistes of Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre(EZCC) featuring Bihu Folk Dance of Assam, Rouf Folk Dance of Jammu& Kashmir and Faag, Panihari, Loor and Dhamal Folk Dance of Haryana from 9 pm onwards.
The five days festival, will see performances by artistes from mainland as well as the Islands at various designated venues for the entertainment of the Islanders and tourists alike. The event will be held at various locations viz., Island Tourism Festival Ground, Wandoor, Wimberlygunj, Ferrargunj, Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep, Baratang, Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Hutbay, Car Nicobar, Campbell Bay, Marina, Corbyn’s Cove etc. Different Departments of the Administration will also take part in the ITF and depict the developmental activities taking place in A&N Islands through their stalls.
The Island Tourism Festival (ITF) is one of the most awaited annual cultural events organized for the residents and tourists of Andaman and Nicobar Islands by the Directorate of IP&T. The main events are held at ITF Ground, Port Blair and several programmes are also organized all over the Islands. The various events at the ITF showcase traditional music, dance, art, local cuisine, and activities that highlight the Island’s charm. Apart from showcasing talent of locals, renowned Artists from Mainland India also come to the Islands to perform. Visitors get a chance to immerse themselves in the India’s culture, enjoying performances, exhibitions, food fairs and various merchandise and games. Tourists particularly enjoy the performances of artists especially reputed music bands, singers, dancers, performers etc.
