Sri Vijaya Puram, Mar 09: The Andaman & Nicobar Tour Operators Association (ANTOA), in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK), Sri Vijaya Puram, organized a grand celebration of International Women’s Day at Hotel TSG Emerald View. The event was a tribute to the remarkable contributions of women entrepreneurs and professionals in the Andaman tourism industry.
The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Vinayak Chamadia, IAS, Additional Divisional Magistrate (ADM/SDM), South Andaman, as the Chief Guest. In his address, he highlighted the crucial role of women in the tourism sector and their increasing influence in shaping the industry. He further emphasized that women’s participation in family decision-making has strengthened, enabling them to take charge of their households while balancing careers and responsibilities.
Guest of Honour, Mr. Prakash Vaidya, Joint Director, NYKS, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, spoke about the role of women in community-driven tourism and their ability to bring inclusivity and innovation to the sector. He also stressed the importance of women’s empowerment in education, stating that an educated woman uplifts not just her family but the entire society, paving the way for a more progressive and equitable future.
Mr. N. Velmurugan, Assistant Director, India Tourism, Sri Vijaya Puram, commended the resilience of women entrepreneurs and emphasized the need for more support and recognition for their efforts. He pointed out that women in politics and governance are now making a stronger impact, taking leadership roles at various levels and influencing policies that benefit the community.
Special guests included Mr. TSG Bhaskar and Rekha Bhaskar from TSG Hotels & TSG Foundation, who acknowledged the immense contributions of women in hospitality and tourism services. They also highlighted the growth of women in self-employment and entrepreneurship, stating that more women are now independently running successful businesses and becoming job creators.
Mr. Sukha Ranjan Biswas, Deputy Director (OSD), encouraged initiatives that promote women’s leadership in the sector. He noted that women’s presence in social work and activism has been instrumental in driving change, advocating for equal rights, and improving community welfare. The evening also featured a touching poem on “Nari Samman” recited by Mr. Gopal Ch. Biswas, NYK District Coordinator, which resonated deeply with the audience.
Dr. Sunita Patil, Youth Motivator, NYK Volunteers, delivered an inspiring speech on the importance of women’s leadership and empowerment in tourism. She also spoke about the rising role of women in financial independence, emphasizing that women today are taking charge of their financial well-being, making investments, and securing their futures.
The program was hosted by Mr. Wahid Shah, who also welcomed the guests. It was attended by esteemed dignitaries, industry leaders, and tourism enthusiasts. On the occasion, a cultural performance was also presented by the participants of NYK.
A special appreciation ceremony was held to honor outstanding women who have played a significant role in shaping the tourism sector as well as social, educational, and self-employment sectors in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The awardees included Anuradha Rao (Tourist Guide, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island), Ratna Kannan (Proprietor, Annapurna Restaurant), Nalini K. Nair (Senior Investigator Officer, Tourism Department), Dr. Sunita Patil (Mentor, Tourism & Social Activist), Georgina Baa (Hotel Services – Dedicated to Tourist Relations for Two Decades), Fathima Feroz (Proprietor, Mughlai Restaurant), Mamta Tirkey (Lifeguard, RGWSC Sri Vijaya Puram), Suruchi Barick (Lifeguard, North Bay), Poonam Nanda (Proprietor, Sea Scape Hotel), and Madhavi Halder (Tour Operator). Also recognized were Jaya, Ragi, Asha Rani, M. Nisha, Manjana Arora, B. Kavitha, and Selvi, all tour operators from ANTOA, along with Bilkish Banu (Tour Operator) and Vaishali Devi (Tourism Promoter & Blogger). The program was successfully coordinated by all association members, whose collective efforts contributed to the grand success of the event.
The program concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Simson, President, ANTOA, expressing gratitude to all the guests, awardees, and organizers for making the event a memorable celebration of women’s achievements in tourism. The International Women’s Day event not only recognized the contributions of women but also reinforced the need to empower them further, ensuring their continued success in the tourism industry and beyond.
Leave a Reply