Port Blair, Apr 03: Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), the Lt Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency interacted with prominent religious leaders of the A&N Islands and highlighted the gravity of COVID-19 pandemic across our country and the World, containment of which is most challenging. The treatment protocols are under determination/standardization and essential medical equipments are under testing/manufacturing phase. It was highlighted that the battle against COVID-19 will be long-haul and will require continuous social support, across all sections of the society.
He appealed all present to maintain and strengthen the existing communal harmony in the Islands, as COVID-19 has victims across Nations, religious groups, income groups, ethnicity and doesn’t differentiate between any of them. These difficult times require immense tolerance (“lgu’khyrk”), from all and not only religious but in all walks of life, as all our established comforts are under challenge. This is time to adhere strictly to Social Distancing and personal hygiene.
While appreciating the spirit of NGOs/Civil society/Volunteers to contribute for society, it was highlighted that COVID-19 is unlike any other natural disaster whose impact is often sudden and requires immediate full-scale recovery/rehabilitation efforts for instant relief. Our fight against COVID-19 will require long-term continuous support of all the Islanders. However, all help/support may not be required at every moment. It was necessary to keep up the spirits and don’t let fatigue set in this long-haul battle. As such, all have been requested to channelize this spirit of service and solidarity for common good under guidance of the Administration. These extremely challenging times demand collective efforts towards adherence to “Lakshman Rekha”, Social Distancing and ensuring personal hygiene with utmost precaution. The Lt Governor solicited support of all religious/spiritual leaders who were present and also requested to communicate to others for their support in our collective action in fight against COVID-19.
Subsequently, the Lt Governor also contributed his one-month salary to PM-CARES Fund towards combating, containment and relief efforts against COVID-19 outbreak.
Annexure
Religious Heads who interacted with HLG
- Haji Alimuddin, Religious Head
- Shri Siddiqui, Secretary, Mosque Comm.
- Father Abraham Thomas, President, Marothoma Church
- Father Selvaraj, Administrator, Port Blair Catholic Church
- Shri Balwinder Singh, Police Gurudwara
- Shri Prem Singh, Secretary, Radha Govind Temple, Junglighat
- Shri Naveen, Secretary, Bahai Spiritual Centre
- Father Biju Mathai, Orthodox Head
- Head Priest, Police Temple
