Port Blair, Aug 16 The Lt. Governor, Lt. Gen A K Singh (Retd.) hoisted the National Tri-colour as the chief guest of the 69th Independence Day celebration at the historic Netaji Stadium here yesterday.
He inspected the Guard of Honour comprising of different contingents from Defence, A & N Police, India Reserved Battalion, senior and junior division NCC cadets and the Scouts and Guides of various schools and gave away Lt. Governor’s Commendation Certificates to persons for their exemplary performances.
Addressing the Islanders on the occasion, the Lt. Governor firstly paid homage to the freedom fighters for their contribution in the freedom struggle of our Country. “The National Memorial Cellular Jail bears the testimony of the sacrifices of those great sons of the soil” the LG said adding that these beautiful Islands are not only a tourist destination but also a place of pilgrimage, the Lt Governor said.
The Lt. Governor also highlighted the important achievements of the Administration during the last one year. These include, charter flights between Chennai-Port Blair and by-weekly flights in the Delhi-Vishakhapatnam-Port Blair Sector, establishment of a Medical College in Port Blair under which over 100 Specialist Doctors have been recruited while 85 students of A&N Islands will get admission in the College every year.
He also stated that the approval for constructing Khudirampur Dam on Kalpong river has been accorded which will mitigate the water supply problem of Diglipur area. With the completion and operationalization of Junglighat Jetty, the berthing facility for inter-island vessels has been augmented. Meanwhile, the Master Plan for the development of Neil and Havelock Islands has also been notified.
Under the Health Sector, the Medical College has been established for which, the Lt. Governor thanked the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh and the Health Minister. He mentioned that the Administration will also start a full fledged para-medical academy in the near future and provide training to nurses, paramedics, Lab and OT technicians, Optometrists, Radiographers etc. which will not only strengthen the health care delivery system but will also provide employment opportunities to the people of these Islands. Besides, the Administration is also planning for heart care and other super specialists treatments. JIPMER, Pondicherry has been requested to act as a member for the Medical College.
The Lt. Governor also spoke about the Medical Insurance Scheme, ANISHI, that was launched on Jan 26, 2015, under which Islanders can avail free treatment in the super specialty hospitals on mainland.
Turning to Education, the Lt. Governor said that in order to bring about improvement in quality of education in these Islands, a comprehensive plan is being prepared. Meanwhile, the Administration has enhanced the scholarship of the students residing in school and college hostels from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1500 per month.
A Community College is also being establishment at Ferrargunj to provide skill oriented technical courses for the rural youths under which 120 students will be given admission and three courses viz automobile testing, software development and electrical equipment maintenance will be run. This College, to be affiliated with the Maharashtra Board of Technical Education will start functioning from September 1, 2015, said the Lt. Governor. He also mentioned that a proposal has been sent to Govt. of India for establishment of a Central University in these Islands.
Touching briefly about Army recruitment, the Lt Governor stated that while 84 students from the Islands were recruited in Indian Army last year, about 200 students will be recruited in Indian Army this year. The recruitment examination will begin in November, 2015 and the Administration also proposes to conduct training programme for the prospective candidates.
The Lt. Governor listed out priority areas for development which included sectors such as tourism, fisheries and IT services, telecom services, agriculture, forest, and power sectors, besides, various other activities which would be carried out for the welfare of the Islanders.
The Lt Governor said that under the leadership of the Chief Secretary the Administration is able to take up difficult works. The Lt Governor also appreciated the A&N Police under the leadership of Director General of Police in maintaining peace and unity and providing security in different parts of these Islands.
Earlier, the Lt. Governor visited the National Memorial Cellular Jail and laid a wreath at the Martyr’s column to pay homage to the martyrs of the freedom movement.
Among others, the main function of the Independence Day celebrations at Netaji Stadium was also attended by the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Chief Secretary, Shri Anand Prakash, C-n-C A&N Command, Vice Admiral PK Chatterjee, Chairperson SSWB, Smt. Ratna Kannan,Chairperson PBMC, Shri Arumugam, Senior Officers from the Defence and Civil Administration, Councilors of PBMC, PRI members, Leaders of the Political Parties, prominent citizens and general public.
