Rangat, Mar 09: International Women’s Day along with the 10th anniversary of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was celebrated at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium Rangat by ICDS Project, Rangat under the guidance of District Administration, N&M Andaman. To mark the celebration of International Women’s Day with the theme – ‘She builds BHARAT’, programme such as spot quiz with spot felicitation, cultural events inspiring courage, strength, breaking barriers, believe in dreams, hard work and dedication were performed by the ICDS functionaries through Nukkad Natak and dance performances.
Inter-Panchayat wise recipe competitions among the mothers on Millets based recipe Dadimaa ki Rasoi se and for adolescent girls’ low cost nutritious food – Young Chef were organized during the programme.
Further, a series of events/activities were organized by ICDS Project, Rangat to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme in the field of sports, skill development, e-learning, plantation drive, gender sensitization, PCPNDT Act, mental health, capacity building of AWWs/AWHs etc.
The winners of different events were felicitated during the celebration of International Women’s Day, 2025 today by the chief guest, Mr. Vikash Kumar, Assistant Commissioner, Rangat and guest of honor, Pramukh Rangat, Mrs. Laxmi Pradhan, GP Rangat.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Mar 09: The ICDS Urban Project Celebrated International Women’s Day 2025 today at the Attampahad Office. This special day honours the achievements of women across all national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, and political boundaries. The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘She Builds BHARAT’, emphasizing the crucial role of women in nation-building.
As part of the celebration, the office organized a series of engaging activities, including Musical Chair, Passing the Ball, Rangoli, and a Recipe Competition. Community members, ICDS functionaries enthusiastically participated in these events, and winners were awarded prizes in recognition of their efforts.
The event was graced by chief guest Mrs. Jharna Roy, Retired Principal, ANM Training School, who highlighted the importance of the right to equality. Mrs. Zarina Bibi, CDPO (ICDS Urban Project), spoke on the importance of gender equality, stating that it is not just a matter of justice and human rights but also a key driver of social and economic progress.
Ms. Sandhya, Legal-cum-Probation Officer, DCPU, South Andaman, reiterated the Government’s commitment to women’s empowerment through various policies, schemes, and legislative measures.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Archana B. Nair, Mukhya Sevika, ICDS Urban Project.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Mar 09: All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), Andaman & Nicobar State Organising Committee celebrated International Women’s Day today (8.3.2025) at Port Blair and Diglipur.
At Port Blair, a meeting was held at Shaheed Bhavan, Anarkali in which women from various walks of life attended. D. Hemalatha presided over the meeting. She briefly explained the importance of observing the International Women’s Day in the islands. S. Chithra, Treasurer, AIDWA State Organising Committee spoke on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, S. Sherly explained the inequalities prevailing in the society and stressed the need to fight against it. Anitha Nath G and R. Sushila Devi expressed concern over the growing drugs availability in the islands and underlined the importance of educating the women in the society about the danger posed by consumption of drugs by young generation. Sumitra Bahadur, Kanti Rao and D. Dhanamma also spoke on various issues concerning women in the islands.
D. Ayyappan, Vice President, CITU State Committee also addressed the gathering. C. Anandi, Secretary, AIDWA State Committee was also present on the occasion.
At Diglipur, Diglipur Area Committee of AIDWA observed International Women’s Day by organizing a meeting of women. Nandita Halder, Anjali Adhikari and Kavita Karmakar spoke on wide-ranging issues of women in the country as a whole and in these islands in particular. Sunil Bepari, President, CITU Diglipur Zonal Committee also spoke on the occasion.

 

Sri Vijaya Puram, Mar 09: The Andaman & Nicobar Tour Operators Association (ANTOA), in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK), Sri Vijaya Puram, organized a grand celebration of International Women’s Day at Hotel TSG Emerald View. The event was a tribute to the remarkable contributions of women entrepreneurs and professionals in the Andaman tourism industry.
The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Vinayak Chamadia, IAS, Additional Divisional Magistrate (ADM/SDM), South Andaman, as the Chief Guest. In his address, he highlighted the crucial role of women in the tourism sector and their increasing influence in shaping the industry. He further emphasized that women’s participation in family decision-making has strengthened, enabling them to take charge of their households while balancing careers and responsibilities.
Guest of Honour, Mr. Prakash Vaidya, Joint Director, NYKS, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, spoke about the role of women in community-driven tourism and their ability to bring inclusivity and innovation to the sector. He also stressed the importance of women’s empowerment in education, stating that an educated woman uplifts not just her family but the entire society, paving the way for a more progressive and equitable future.
Mr. N. Velmurugan, Assistant Director, India Tourism, Sri Vijaya Puram, commended the resilience of women entrepreneurs and emphasized the need for more support and recognition for their efforts. He pointed out that women in politics and governance are now making a stronger impact, taking leadership roles at various levels and influencing policies that benefit the community.
Special guests included Mr. TSG Bhaskar and Rekha Bhaskar from TSG Hotels & TSG Foundation, who acknowledged the immense contributions of women in hospitality and tourism services. They also highlighted the growth of women in self-employment and entrepreneurship, stating that more women are now independently running successful businesses and becoming job creators.
Mr. Sukha Ranjan Biswas, Deputy Director (OSD), encouraged initiatives that promote women’s leadership in the sector. He noted that women’s presence in social work and activism has been instrumental in driving change, advocating for equal rights, and improving community welfare. The evening also featured a touching poem on “Nari Samman” recited by Mr. Gopal Ch. Biswas, NYK District Coordinator, which resonated deeply with the audience.
Dr. Sunita Patil, Youth Motivator, NYK Volunteers, delivered an inspiring speech on the importance of women’s leadership and empowerment in tourism. She also spoke about the rising role of women in financial independence, emphasizing that women today are taking charge of their financial well-being, making investments, and securing their futures.
The program was hosted by Mr. Wahid Shah, who also welcomed the guests. It was attended by esteemed dignitaries, industry leaders, and tourism enthusiasts. On the occasion, a cultural performance was also presented by the participants of NYK.
A special appreciation ceremony was held to honor outstanding women who have played a significant role in shaping the tourism sector as well as social, educational, and self-employment sectors in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The awardees included Anuradha Rao (Tourist Guide, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island), Ratna Kannan (Proprietor, Annapurna Restaurant), Nalini K. Nair (Senior Investigator Officer, Tourism Department), Dr. Sunita Patil (Mentor, Tourism & Social Activist), Georgina Baa (Hotel Services – Dedicated to Tourist Relations for Two Decades), Fathima Feroz (Proprietor, Mughlai Restaurant), Mamta Tirkey (Lifeguard, RGWSC Sri Vijaya Puram), Suruchi Barick (Lifeguard, North Bay), Poonam Nanda (Proprietor, Sea Scape Hotel), and Madhavi Halder (Tour Operator). Also recognized were Jaya, Ragi, Asha Rani, M. Nisha, Manjana Arora, B. Kavitha, and Selvi, all tour operators from ANTOA, along with Bilkish Banu (Tour Operator) and Vaishali Devi (Tourism Promoter & Blogger). The program was successfully coordinated by all association members, whose collective efforts contributed to the grand success of the event.
The program concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Simson, President, ANTOA, expressing gratitude to all the guests, awardees, and organizers for making the event a memorable celebration of women’s achievements in tourism. The International Women’s Day event not only recognized the contributions of women but also reinforced the need to empower them further, ensuring their continued success in the tourism industry and beyond.

 

Sri Vijaya Puram, Mar 09: CITU today (8.3.2025) observed International Working Women’s Day by organising various programmes at Port Blair and Mayabunders. At Port Blair, a meeting was held at Hotel ACC in which large number of women workers from various trade unions affiliated to CITU attended. Geeta Devi, A & N Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Union presided over the programme. Bindu Kumari of Edn Deptt Part-time Employees Union, R. Anbukkarsi, General Secretary, A&N Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Union, Jaspreena of A&N PRI Karmachari Sangh, Divya Kumari and Deepa Biswas of A&N Forest Deptt Workers Union, among others, spoke on various problems and issues of working women.
Earlier, R. Surendran Pillai, President, CITU State Committee briefly explained the origin and importance of the International Women’s Day. B. Chandrachooodan, General Secretary, CITU State Committee while extending greetings to the working women in the islands touched upon the struggles being conducted by the CITU against various anti-women and anti-working class policies of the central government.
At Mayabunder, the International Working Women’s Day was observed by the CITU Zonal Committee by organizing a mass procession of women workers of CITU at Mayabunder bazar – APWD Guest House area. Usha Devi and Afsana Begum of A&N Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Union and Reena Mondolai of ASNVMS led the procession. C. Murugan, Secretary of CITU Zonal Committee addressed the participants in the procession. R. Muralidharan Pillai, President, Zonal Committee was also present on the occasion.

 

Sri Vijaya Puram, Mar 09: The ICDS Urban Project Celebrated International Women’s Day 2025 on March 8, 2025 at the Attampahad Office. This special day honours the achievements of women across all national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, and political boundaries. The theme for this year’s celebration was “She Builds Bharat”, emphasizing the crucial role of women in nation-building.
As part of the celebration, the office organized a series of engaging activities, including Musical Chair, Passing the Ball, Rangoli, and a Recipe Competition. Community members, ICDS functionaries enthusiastically participated in these events, and winners were awarded prizes in recognition of their efforts.
The event was graced by Chief Guest Mrs. Jharna Roy, Retired Principal, ANM Training School, who highlighted the importance of the right to equality. She acknowledged the progress made in women’s empowerment while emphasizing the persistent challenges in education, employment, political representation, and personal freedoms. She encouraged women to overcome barriers through hard work and perseverance.
Mrs. Zarina Bibi, CDPO (ICDS Urban Project), spoke on the importance of gender equality, stating that it is not just a matter of justice and human rights but also a key driver of social and economic progress. She stressed that ensuring equal rights, opportunities, and support for women and girls is essential to building a more inclusive, prosperous, and peaceful world.
Ms. Sandhya, Legal cum Probation Officer, DCPU, South Andaman, reiterated the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment through various policies, schemes, and legislative measures. She highlighted the shift from women’s development to women-led development, ensuring equal participation in national progress.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Archana B. Nair, Mukhya Sevika, ICDS Urban Project, expressing gratitude to all participants and guests for making the event a success.

 

On March 8th, we celebrate International Women’s Day with a firm commitment to this year’s theme – “She Builds BHARAT”. The Andaman & Nicobar UT is dedicated to empowering women and ensuring their equal role in nation-building.
This day is a call to action-a reminder that gender equality is essential for progress. True empowerment comes when every woman has the freedom, opportunity, and respect to pursue her dreams without barriers. Ensuring equal rights, safety and dignity for women is not just a duty but a necessity for the growth of our Islands and the Nation.
I urge all women to draw inspiration from trailblazers, believe in their potential, and strive for excellence. Your strength and contributions are shaping a stronger, more inclusive future.
To ensure women’s safety, the Emergency Response Support System (112) provides police assistance, medical aid, and legal support, while Sakhi Centers offer crucial help to those facing violence or harassment. Secure hostels, elderly homes, and health schemes further support women’s well-being. With a zero-tolerance policy on violence, our law enforcement and volunteers act swiftly to ensure justice and security.
On this occasion, let us reaffirm our commitment to honoring, uplifting, and empowering women, driving forward the vision of ‘Nari Shakti’ for a more inclusive and progressive society.

Sd/-
(Admiral DK Joshi)
PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.)
Lt. Governor, A&N Islands
&
Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency