Sri Vijaya Puram, July 16: During the IITM Chennai Tourism Trade Fair held at the Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam, Mr. Simson, President of the Andaman Nicobar Tour Operators Association (ANTOA), met the Minister for Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, Thiru S. Rajesh Kumar, and submitted a memorandum requesting the establishment of a “Tamil Nadu Illam” in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
After considering the proposal, the Minister assured that the Government of Tamil Nadu would positively examine the request and initiate discussions with the Andaman & Nicobar Administration at the earliest to take the necessary steps towards establishing the Tamil Nadu Illam.
The Minister stated that the proposed Tamil Nadu Illam would serve as a dedicated centre for preserving and promoting the Tamil language, literature, art, and culture among the Tamil community residing in the islands. It would also function as a facilitation and assistance centre for tourists, students, patients, and members of the general public visiting the Andaman & Nicobar Islands from Tamil Nadu.
During the meeting, Mr. Simson honoured the Hon’ble Minister with a bouquet, a traditional shawl, and a memento of the historic Cellular Jail as a token of gratitude and respect. He also extended a cordial invitation to the Hon’ble Minister to visit the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Accepting the invitation, the Hon’ble Minister expressed his keen interest in visiting the islands in the near future to personally experience their rich tourism potential, natural beauty, and cultural diversity.
Mr. Simson further emphasized that increasing tourist arrivals from Tamil Nadu would significantly contribute to the growth of tourism in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, while strengthening tourism, cultural, and people-to-people ties between Tamil Nadu and the islands.
