ANDAMAN SHEEKHA

The True Mirror of A & N Islands

Nehru Yuva Kendra, Diglipur Celebrates 1st Anniversary of MY Bharat Portal with Diwali Activities

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Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 17: Nehru Yuva Kendra, Diglipur celebrated the 1st anniversary of MY Bharat Portal as Diwali with MY Bharat from 27th to 30th Oct. 2024. The objective of this programme was to conduct intensive volunteering activities across the country with wide publicity and visibility, under the theme of This Diwali with MY BHARAT -Ye Diwali MY Bharat Wali. These activities have been identified with a view to improve city facilities for the festival season for citizen:
• Hospital Volunteering
• Market Cleaning
• Traffic Volunteering &
• MY Bharat experience Sharing
Nehru Yuva Kendra, Diglipur Cleaned Children Traffic Park Area at Naveen Nagar, Polytechnic, Diglipur including Kali Mandir Area and Subhash Bazar Area with support of Youth Club Mahila Mondals, Students of Industrial Training Institute, Students of Polytechinic Training Institute and Merchant Association of Subash Bazar along with Subhashgram Panchayat respectively. In this mega cleanliness programme about 250 participants participated.

 

ANACS Supports Blood Donation Camp at Fire Services HQ: 33 Units Donated

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Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan. 17:The Andaman & Nicobar AIDS Control Society (ANACS) along with Blood Centre, G B Pant Hospital, Directorate of Health Services has extended support to the Andaman & Nicobar Fire & Emergency Services, Sri Vijaya Puram, in organizing a Blood Donation Camp at Fire Service Head Quarter today. A total of 33 units of blood were donated by the voluntary donors.
The donors were examined for their eligibility to donate blood and were briefed on various aspect and importance of blood donation. The technical team from Blood Centre, GB Pant Hospital, Sri Vijaya Puram and A & N AIDS Control Society ensured that the donated blood units were screened for the blood transmissible diseases.

Road Safety Awareness Campaign Organizes by Nehru Yuva Kendra in Diglipur and Rangat

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Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 17: Nehru Yuva Kendra, Diglipur and Rangat are organizing Road Safety Awareness Campaign and Volunteering Support for Road Traffic from 17th to 23rd Jan. 2025 at Diglipur Police Station and Billiground Police Station respectively. In Diglipur the programme started at 9:30 a.m which was inaugurate by the SHO – Insp. Vijay Kumar and Mr. S.R. Biswas Deputy Director of NYK. The objectives of the training are to coordinate with the Traffic Police Department to provide opportunities for youth to be trained in road safety norms. To facilitate collaboration with the Traffic Police Department to enable trained MYBharat Volunteers to become part of traffic management during the Road Safety Awareness Campaign.

Farmers Protest in Diglipur: Administration Assures Action on Fertilizer Crisis

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Rabindranath Biswas
Diglipur, 16, January: Diglipur Farmer Union held a massive dharna in front of the Assistant Commissioner’s Office today to press for their demands.

As per report, the protest was mounted by the Diglipur Farmer Union to press for resolving their demands. The agitation got a support from political parties such as the BJP, Congress (INC) and CPI(M) while Diglipur Merchant Association, Drivers’ Union, N & M Andaman, Auto- Rickshaw Union, Diglipur, Diglipur Travel Union reportedly extended their full support to the dharna. Addressing the gathering, every speaker advocated immediate issuance of fertilizers to the farmers by the Agriculture Department.

Mr. Naresh Halder, a stalwart of the BJP said that there is no restriction from the Central Govt. nor any ban on issuance of chemical fertilizers like DAP and Urea in Andaman islands, it is reportedly the A & N Administration which stopped supplying these two prime fertilizers to the farmers in Diglipur and elsewhere in Andaman, and too without consultation with the farmers and taking them into confidence; and also without introducing an alternative for the same.

As a result of which the farmers are suffering and that needs to be resolved on priority by the Administration, he urged. Mr. P R Singa Ram, Pradhan, (INC) Gram Panchayat Subhashgram said that complaints after complaints have been piling on his table from the farmer community for fertilizer and he is seized of the grievous situation the farmers are in owing to non-issuance of the fertilizers by the concerned Dept. He urged the Administration to seriously take note of the situation and ensure to redress the issue early.

Smti. Alpana Mazumder, newly BJP District President said that it was those days when there was no requirement of the chemical fertilizers for agricultural purposes, but it was the Agriculture Department which reportedly supplied the chemical fertilizers to the farmers against their will and thus gradually the soil became accustomed to applying chemical fertilizers for growing crops.

And now when the farmers are in dire need of the fertilizers, the very department has ceased to supply the fertilizers which is untenable. The officials should realize the situation if the farmers cease to bring vegetables to the market, and hence the administration should gauge the sentiment and their pangs owing to non-availability of the fertilizers and take immediate steps in this regard and supply the fertilizers as soon as possible.

On an interesting note, it was again observed that, whenever this type of public grievance emerged in Diglipur, political parties irrespective of their entities united under one umbrella and fought for the common cause; and this sort of thing was reportedly again visible in today’s dharna as well.

However, talking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, Mr. Kamal Halder, President Diglipur Farmer Union said that Mr. Kamleshwar Rao S (IAS), the Assistant Commissioner, Diglipur came down to the dharna site and sat down on the tarpaulin placed on the road for dharna purpose and held talks with Mr. Kamal Halder. The talks between the Assistant Commissioner were reportedly fruitful and the AC gave assurance to fulfil their demand as early as possible, the President Diglipur Farmer Union, said. The AC also reportedly told Mr. Halder, the Director of Agriculture, is expected to arrive from Sri Vijaya Puram to Diglipur shortly to address the farmers’ grievances, Mr. Kamal Halder further added.

MP Bishnu Pada Ray Discusses Key Farmer Issues with Agriculture Officials

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Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 16: A meeting was held on 15/01/2025 at the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Agriculture between the Member of Parliament of A&N Islands Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray and the officials of the Directorate of Agriculture, A&N Administration and CIARI.
The meeting focused on the various issues to safeguard the interests of farmers viz Implementation of all schemes under the agriculture sector, along with their present status and achievements, both physical and financial ; Preventive measures to control the incidents of Mealybug and Rugose Spiraling Whitefly affecting various crops; Steps taken by the Administration to provide alternative land to farmers whose lands were eroded into the nallah due to incidents of land arson; Provisions allocated under the bank erosion head; Supply of DAP and Urea fertilizers to farmers at subsidized rates and exploring alternative measures; Irrigation facilities created for farmers and future plans of action; Steps to be taken for quarantine of plantations imported from the mainland to prevent the spread of viruses to existing plants in the Andaman; Promotion of spice cultivation and other kinds of plantations; Preservation of local fruit-bearing trees, which existed earlier in regions such as Campbell Bay, Teressa, Chowra, Car Nicobar, Little Andaman, Swaraj/Shaheed Dweep, North & Middle Andaman, etc., and the mass propagation of local varieties of bananas and other fruits and Organizing demonstration programs at the Panchayat level to educate farmers about Mealybug and Rugose Spiraling Whitefly, along with the measures to be taken by the Agriculture Department.

 

Chess Prodigy Kashthuri from the Islands Wins Rs. 1 Lakh Scholarship from HelpChess Foundation

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Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 16: Chess prodigy R Kashthuri Bhai, two times LG’s Commendation awardee and an international medal winner from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is named the recipient of the prestigious Chennai Grandmasters Scholarship, worth ₹1 lakh. The scholarship, funded by the HelpChess Foundation, was announced during the live streams of the Chennai Grandmasters Chess tournament. Money or lack of resources should not be the sole reason why a talented player should give up chess. It is with this idea that the HelpChess Foundation was started.
The initiative raised over ₹1 lakh from 25 kind donors to support young chess players. Kashthuri’s impressive achievements made her the perfect choice for this scholarship, This scholarship will help her to get high-class coaching to sharpen her skills and get closer to her dream of becoming a Grandmaster.
Kashthuri’s notable accomplishments include:
Silver Medalist in U-17 Blitz at the 17th Asian Schools Chess Championship, Tashkent, 2023.
Bronze Medalist in U-17 Rapid at the 17th Asian Schools Chess Championship, Tashkent, 2023.
Winner of the Andaman and Nicobar State Open Chess Championship, Port Blair, 2024.
Winner of the 1st Late T Mohan Rao Memorial Open Chess Tournament, Port Blair, 2024.
The Andaman Nicobar Chess Association (ANCA) congratulated Kashthuri for her achievements, highlighting the scholarship’s importance in fostering talent from marginalized areas. ANCA also thanked the HelpChess Foundation for making this opportunity possible.

Result of Bye-election to Fill Casual Vacancies in Various Constituencies”

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Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 16: The Bye-election to fill the casual vacancies in the following Gram Panchayat Samiti (GPM) and Gram Panchayat (GP) Member constituencies was held on January 12, 2025. The final results, following the completion of vote counting on January 15, 2025, are as follows:
1. Gram Panchayat Member Constituency HopeTown-1 of Gram Panchayat Hope Town under Ferrargunj Tehsil (Seat – General)
o Frankly (Indian National Congress – INC) – 157 Votes
o Hari Lall (Bharatiya Janata Party – BJP) – 86 Votes
o Winner: Frankly (INC)
2. Gram Panchayat Member Constituency Nabagram-1 of Gram Panchayat Nabagram under Diglipur Tehsil (Seat – General)
o Devraj Penika (Indian National Congress – INC) – 90 Votes
o Sadhan Mazumder (Bharatiya Janata Party – BJP) – 60 Votes
o Winner: Devraj Penika (INC)
3. Panchayat Samiti Member of Gram Panchayat Paschimsagar under Diglipur Tehsil (Seat – General)
o Sumanta Biswas (Independent) – 546 Votes
o Monojit Bepari (Bharatiya Janata Party – BJP) – 249 Votes
o Winner: Sumanta Biswas (Independent)
The concerned Returning Officers have officially declared these results.

Andaman and Nicobar Police Celebrates 73rd Raising Day with Pride and Achievements

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Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 16: The Andaman and Nicobar Police proudly celebrated 73rd Raising Day, marking over seven decades of dedicated service, commitment, and excellence. The ceremonial event was held at Police Lines Parade Ground with great enthusiasm, graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan, AVSM, VM, Commander-in-Chief of the ANC; Rear Admiral Biplab Hota, Chief of Staff, ANC and senior officers from the A&N Administration and ANC, and other dignitaries.
The celebrations commenced with an impressive Ceremonial Parade, featuring contingents from the Executive Police (Gents and Ladies), IRBn, Fire Service, Dog Squad, and the A&N Police Brass Band and Ladies Pipe Band. The parade was led by Mr. Naveen Kumar, Deputy Commandant/IRBn, as Parade Commander, with Mr. Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, IPS, Director General of Police, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, taking the salute. The parade was followed by an engaging series of demonstrations, including an impressive rifle display by Recruit Constables, a dynamic commando performance by IRBn, a fire safety demonstration by the Fire & Emergency Service, and a tableau by the Police Marine Force. Police Station Shaheed Dweep, Police Station Rangat, and Police Station Car Nicobar were awarded as the Best, Second Best, and Third Best Police Stations of the A&N Islands. DGP Commendation Discs were presented to 39 personnel excelling in their duties.
In his address, the Director General of Police extended heartfelt greetings to the people of the islands and the members of the A&N Police. He lauded the department’s unwavering efforts in maintaining law and order, ensuring the safety of residents and tourists, and upholding communal harmony and justice. The DGP emphasized the need for professionalism, transparency, and sensitivity in the force’s functioning and congratulated the parade participants for their excellent performance.
The Raising Day celebrations also served as a platform to highlight the department’s significant achievements over the past year. Among these were landmark successes in narcotics control, including the registration of 73 cases under the NDPS Act, 127 arrests, and seizure of 61 kg of Ganja and 21 kg of Heroin. In collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard, the department achieved a historic milestone by seizing more than 6,000 kgs of methamphetamine valued at ₹36,000 crores—the largest-ever narcotics seizure in the country.
Efforts to enhance road safety were also highlighted, with over 45,000 traffic challans issued, generating ₹2.64 crores in fines. The inauguration of a Children’s Traffic Park in Diglipur was a step toward fostering road safety awareness among the younger generation.
The department showcased its commitment to modernization and innovation, launching India’s first mobile forensic boat, which earned accolades from the World Book of Records. Additionally, a mobile forensic unit was introduced, and the canine squad was enhanced with four Belgian Malinois dogs to bolster security operations. Several police stations and units achieved ISO certifications, reflecting their excellence in service.
Technological advancements included the introduction of “ANP Seva Cart,” an e-commerce platform for police canteen operations, and the deployment of the AI-based chatbot “Naye Kanoon Mitra” to simplify the implementation of new criminal laws. Training initiatives, in collaboration with NLSIU Bengaluru and NFSU Gandhinagar, further strengthened investigation skills within the force.

District Administration, South Andaman takes Decisive Action against Illegal Earth Extraction and Transportation

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Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 16: In a determined effort to curb illegal activities, two trucks transporting earth products without valid permission were intercepted and confiscated at Wandoor village. Upon inspection, a total of 30 cubic meters of earth was accounted for, including 20 cubic meters found dumped at the site and 5 cubic meters on each truck.
Under the provisions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Land Revenue and Land Reforms Regulation, 1966, a fine amounting to ₹44,000/- (Rupees Forty-Four Thousand Only) has been imposed on the violator.
The Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, has issued a stern warning to those engaging in illegal extraction and transportation of earth products. Such acts constitute a grave violation of the law, and any individuals or groups found indulging in these activities will face strict legal consequences. The District Administration will not hesitate to initiate stringent action to uphold the law and protect the region’s natural resources.
To further strengthen vigilance, the District Administration, South Andaman, has established robust mechanisms for public reporting of unauthorized activities. Residents are encouraged to report illegal encroachments, mining, or construction activities over phone or whatsapp in the following channels District Control Room: 03192-240127/238881/1070, WhatsApp: 9531888844. Informants are assured complete confidentiality and anonymity, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to addressing such violations with the utmost seriousness.
The District Administration, South Andaman reiterates its unwavering resolve to combat unauthorized practices and safeguard the natural resources of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for future generations.

Youth Express Vision for ‘Developed India’ Through Poetry at Kavi Goshti Organizes by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Sri Vijayapuram

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Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 16: Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Sri Vijayapuram, successfully organized a Kavi Goshti (Poetry Session) today from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM at the Conference Hall of DIET. The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of around 100 youth, out of which 20 young poets recited their self-composed poems on the theme of ‘Developed India,’ inspired by the philosophy of Swami Vivekananda.
The Chief Guest of the event, Prof. Gangadhar Wanode, Regional Director, Central Hindi Institute, Hyderabad Centre (Ministry of Education, Government of India), delivered an inspiring address. Special Guest Dr. Ankush Aundkar, Associate Professor, Central Hindi Institute, Agra, and Guest of Honor Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Professor, Department of Hindi, JNRM, also addressed the gathering and motivated the youth.
Dr. Kavi Malar was another distinguished speaker who shared her valuable insights and inspired the youth with her thought-provoking address on building a developed India rooted in Swami Vivekananda’s ideals.
During the poetry recital session, the young participants beautifully articulated their vision of a developed India through their poems. Their works reflected themes of patriotism, social consciousness, and aspirations for a brighter future.
The program was efficiently conducted by Mr. Gopal Chandra Biswas, District Youth Officer, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Sri Vijayapuram. Certificates were distributed to the participants, followed by an enlightening address by the Chief Guest, Prof. Gangadhar Wanode.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Saraswati Devi, Hindi Lecturer, DIET.
This initiative provided a platform for the youth to showcase their creativity and express their thoughts while being inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s ideals for nation-building.