Port Blair, Apr 27: The Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, Lt. Gen A K Singh (Retd.) inaugurated a unique buyer seller meet called ‘Andaman Bazaar’ as the chief guest at ITF Ground here this evening. The Chief Secretary, Shri Anindo Majumdar, Adhyaksha Zila Parisahd, South Andaman, Smt. Minati Biswas, Chairperson PBMC, Smt. Sheela Singh besides senior officers of the Administration were present on the occasion.
In his inaugural address, the Lt. Governor expressed happiness that a forum for SHGs has been created where buyers, sellers and loan agencies are given the opportunity to sell their produce/products. The Lt. Governor desired that the ‘Andaman Bazaar’ should be made a regular feature, and organised once in every three months, for six days at a stretch. Referring to the ‘Delhi Haat’, which has become immensely popular among people, the Lt. Governor said that ‘Andaman Haat’ should also come up gradually in these Isles. Turning to SHGs, the Lt. Governor said that SHGs should go beyond making items like pickle, coconut powder etc and start making other things as well. Appreciating the spirit of enterprise shown by ‘Imagination Event Management group’, an SHG, the Lt. Governor urged the Chairperson, PBMC and the Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad to utilize the service of such event management groups when organizing programmes. This, he said will boost the morale of such entrepreneurs. The Lt. Governor also asked Padmashri Naresh Chander Lal to tie up with NABARD and organize basic cinematography training, a technical training, for the Islanders which will be of immense use in the future; especially for film makers who plan to make film here in A&N Islands. The Lt. Governor called for developing the spirit of free enterprise and entrepreneurship in the Isles.
Highlighting about various flagship programmes of the Government, the Lt. Governor said that many schemes launched for the needy should percolate down to the people at the grassroot level and they should be enlightened and should make maximum benefit of the schemes. The Lt. Governor also requested all the Departments to come together and chalk out plans as to how they can provide opportunities to the youth of the Islands. The Tourism sector has a lot of scope which needs to be divulged, opined the Lt Governor. “Tourism sector has a large scope and the Heritage walk initiated by Art & Culture Department has a large scope of employing many youth as guides”, he said. Talking about Energy Conservation, the Lt. Governor directed the PBMC Chairperson to involve the SHGs for waste management. It is the responsibility of every department and organization to encourage the spirit of free enterprise among SHGs, unemployed youth, he said, calling upon one and all to utilize the financial assistance provided by NABARD.
The Lt Governor underlined the need for making brand ‘Andaman’ so that the tourists visiting these Islands can take back a ‘brand Andaman’ product. He suggested that Honey can be made as brand Andaman. The Lt Governor further suggested that a separate section has to be created in Sagarika Emporium for displaying products belonging to Andaman.
Regarding water crisis in the Isles, the Lt Governor stated that in some places water is being provided in 2 to 3 days. He said wherever necessary water will be provided through tankers to meet the shortage of water. He also directed the PCCF and CE, APWD to speed up the matter relating to clearance for Khudirampur Dam in Diglipur.
The Lt Governor also underlined the need for developing check dams for water conservation involving PRIs so that more water bodies are created to mitigate water problem, the Lt Governor added.
On the education scenario, the Lt Governor stated that a Law College and a Professional College will be started here this year, the confirmation for which is expected soon. In the health sector, the Lt Governor said that with the coming up of the Medical College, the number of doctors have increased and now the Administration is in a position to send specialist doctors for providing specialised treatments to the people in outlying areas. Further efforts are on to create cancer care, heart care and trauma care centres; and these facilities will be available by 2017-18, the Lt Governor said.
To solve the problem of shipping in Southern Group of Islands, the Lt Governor informed that a chartering vessel, named ‘Coral Queen’ will be joining the DSS fleet within 3 to 4 months’ time, which, he said, will solve the problems of the Nicobar Group of Islands.
Later, the Lt. Governor also visited some of the stalls put up by the farmers, artisans and Self Help Groups (SHGs). The occupants of the stall were delighted to see the Lt. Governor amidst them, interacting and enquiring about the products on display.
In her inaugural address, the Secretary Industries, Smt Rashmi Singh said the Andaman Bazaar is truly a vibrant convergence. She also informed that as many as 65 SHGs, 28 farmers and 38 artisans are participating in the four days Andaman Bazaar. Andaman Bazaar is a blend of different people who converge at one place to sell their produce. The Bazaar facilitates participants to have access to credits, marketing and supply of products, she said.
The GM, NABARD, Shri Hemanth Songadkar also highlighted the activities of NABARD and said that NABARD signifies a Banker’s Bank as it facilitates homogeneous groups with banking facilities. He said NABARD aims to reach the unreached through rural banking.
A melodious welcome song by SHG members, dance and song by inmates of Balika Niketan and a patriotic song by Shri Wajid, BRW Music Wing, delighted the gathering. This was followed by other cultural programmes.
On the occasion, two SHG members namely Smt. Khatija Bibi (Jannat Swayam Seva Group, Shadipur) and Smt Reba Mistry from Collinpur shared their views about the financial support extended to them for starting SHGs. They expressed their gratitude to the Administration, NABARD and Cooperative Banks for providing them a platform to showcase their creativity.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Director, Industries, Shri M.N. Murali.
Vegetables, food products, handicrafts are being sold directly by producers and artisans in this Bazaar. About 65 SHGs and 60 farmers have put up their agriculture produce for sale besides few marginal artisans and micro enterprises. Farmers from Chouldari, Manglutan, Ograbraj, Namunaghar, Tushnabad, Mithakari, Wright Myo and Diglipur are participating in the ‘Andaman Bazaar’.
This four-day event is being organized by Industries Department in association with NABARD with an objective to provide marketing opportunity for the produce of the women SHGs. Efforts have been made to provide direct marketing opportunities for the agricultural produce of the farmers of these Islands. The other Departments collaborating in the event include Agriculture, Art & Culture, Tourism besides Andaman Nicobar Islands State Co-operative Bank Ltd.
The Industries, NABARD, Social Welfare, DIC, Khadi & Village Industries Board have set up ‘information and facilitation desks’ for dissemination of information on schemes related with their Department namely skill development, financial assistance, marketing facilities and facilities available for farmers, including schemes of NABARD.
ICDS has also put up food and nutrition related information cum demonstration. Besides, cultural shows have also been arranged at the venue on a daily basis. The ‘Andaman Bazaar’ which started today shall remain open from 3 pm to 9 pm till 30th April, 2016.
