Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Jan 28: The second and third batch of some standing committee members of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) today reached Port Blair, the capital town of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in what they call it as a ‘study tour’.

But the five day tour of BMC Corporators is coinciding with the District Planning Committee Meeting of South Andaman District, in which all the councillors and other Panchayati Raj Institute members of South Andaman District will remain busy till 29 January 2016.

The crucial meeting of District Planning Committee (DPC) of South Andaman District began yesterday and it will end tomorrow (Friday), this will be followed by two days leave on Saturday and Sunday, leaving no official working day for the BMC team to study anything officially.

As per details available here most of the councillors of Port Blair Municipal Council (PBMC), the lone civic body of Port Blair city, have any idea about the visit of BMC corporators or any proposed date for meeting.

However, the Chairperson of PBMC, Mrs. Sheela Singh today told Andaman Sheekha that yesterday the first batch of the corporators had approached them for a short meeting but that was not possible as all the councillors are busy in DPC.

“We will probably hold a meeting on Saturday,” Mrs. Sheela Singh added.

As per unconfirmed reports, tomorrow some members of the visiting team will be visiting Ross and North Bay Island while on Saturday some of them will be in Tourism Heaven Havelock island for tour.

It is still not sure when the visiting corporators will find time for ‘Study’.

Sarthak Kanjilal

Port Blair, Dec 16: Good news for sports lovers, the next Andaman Marathon 2016 will be held on 14th February 2016.
In a press conference held at the conference hall of Hotel Sea Shell this evening Mr Mohd Jadwet, Ex- president, ACCI said that under the banner of ACCI in association with the Administration and Andaman & Nicobar Command the Andaman Marathon 2016 will be held on 14th February 2016 which has become a calendar event.
He said that this is year the celebrity guest is Mandira Bedi a renowned actress, philanthropist, TV actress who might not be running but will join for the cause and as usual the brand ambassador is Mr Rahul Bose, actor, philanthropist who is associated with the islands from the 2004 Tsunami.
“As usual the main sponsor for this event is makemytrip.com and we have a lot of co-sponsors and associate sponsors also,” Mr Jadwet said.
Further addressing the press conference Mr Jadwet said that the total cash money will be awarded in the marathon is Rs 8,60,000/- . “This year Andaman Chamber of Commerce is conducting this marathon in association with Andaman Administration and all its departments like Sports, Youth Affairs, Education department, the Health Department, the Police department plus the Andaman & Nicobar Command, which provide all possible support every year and also provide runners. Our Lt. Governor will flag off the marathon,” Mr Jadwet added.
The first major event is Half Marathon where most of the professional runners will be running the first prize for this half marathon will be Rs 1lakh, 2nd prize will be Rs 50000 and the third prize will be of Rs 30000 and there will be special prize for the islander i.e first prize Rs 50000, 2nd 30000, 3rd 20000.
The second event will be 10K which is the most popular event and not open for the professional runners and there is a special prize for senior categories Male and female i.e 1st prize of Rs 40000, 2nd 20000 and 3rd 15000,” Mr Jadwet further added.

The third major event is “run for fun” where the running will start from Cellular Jail to Netaji Stadium and this event will be “open to all” like anybody old or young can join this event, we are hoping for more and more people for joining this event.

He said that the registration will be closed on 10th February. The forms are available in the stadium as well as in the office of ACCI.
Further addressing the media, the Director of Sports and Youth affairs said that the department will provide all the technical support and monitor the entire run. He said that the department will be providing pilots in the lead and tail of race. He further added that previous year there were cases of dog bites and therefore this year the department had informed the concerned department to avoid this. He also added that the department had also contacted the Transport Department and the Directorate of Shipping Services for providing early travelling arrangements so that people for far flung areas can take part in the event.
Further addressing the conference the ACCI President, Mr Girish Arora requested the media to aware and encourage the people the benefits of running by doing more write-ups so that more and more people may take part in the event.

Ganesh Sarkar
Little Andaman, January 27: While entire nation was celebrating Republic Day, a minor bushfire was reported from Rabindra Nagar 28 km area of Little Andaman.
The fire broke out near a Primary School of Little Andaman and there are no reports of any injuries or damages.
As per reports, the fire caused when some youths of the area were trying to clean the ground by lighting a fire but as there were dry grasses in the ground, the fire became uncontrollable.
However, on timely information a team of Fire Brigade reached the spot at around 11:00am and controlled the fire by 11:22 am.

Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, Jan 25: Mr. Naresh Chander Lal, son of this soil and prominent film and theatre director and producer has once again main Andaman and Nicobar proud as his name has been approved by President of India for Padma Sree award.
Mr. Lal who has already bagged several National Awards and Islands’ topmost honour LG’s Commendation Certificate twice, will be conferred with Padma Sree award by the President of India at ceremonial functions which will be held at Rashtrapati Bhawan around March/ April this year.
Mr. Naresh Chander Lal will be conferred Padma Sree for this contributions towards Art-theatre and Cinema.
Naresh Chander Lal is a Renowned Theatre Director and Film Maker of Andaman and Nicobar Islands who won many laurels and Awards in the National / International Film Festivals in India and brought name and fame to these Islands.

He is the only National School of Drama, New Delhi (Direction) graduate, from these Islands, passed out in 1990.

After graduating from NSD he triggered a Theatre Wave in these remote Indian Islands. In 1998 he introduced Nukkad Natak form of Drama in these Islands and presented shows on Alcoholism, Pulse Polio immunization programme, AIDS, Vanmahotsava, Family Planning, Women’s empowerment, Sanitation etc.

Most of the Artists, who are presently working for the promotion of Drama in A & N Islands, have been either trained by Shri Lal or worked under his own Registered Theatre group namely Andaman People Theatre Association (APTA) Port Blair.

Shri. Lal has presented his shows in almost all inhabited Islands of Andaman and Nicobar Chain, thus took Drama to India’s remotest corners.

He has worked with many Theatre personalities of India and abroad like Shri Ratan Thiyam, Late Shri B.V. Karanth, Shri. Satyadev Dubey, Shri. Prasanna, Pt. Narendra Sharma, Shri. Barry John, Shri. Ram Gopal Bajaj, Shri. Fritz Benewitz (Germany), Shri. John Kiromo Motsoi (Japan) and Shri. Kenneth Riya (London).

Going one step further, Shri. Lal has made four films so far in the Islands all depicting Islands Cosmo Culture. His films Gandhi The Mahatma (Feature Film), Amrti Jal (Short Film), Runway on the Sea (Documentary) and the Queen of Indigenous Island (Feature Film) have been screened many times by DD National Channel / DD Urdu Channel and at various National / International Film Festivals in India, thus taking Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the international audience, who got a chance to witness the unique Cosmo Culture of this Union Territory.

Recently Shri Lal’s film Gandhi The Mahatma was screened at London. For his meritorious services for more than 40 years in these Islands Shri Lal has been conferred with many awards like –

1) Hon’ble Lt. Governor’s Commendation Certificate – two times 26.01.1999 and on 15.08.2008 for Theatre / Film.
2) Decorated with Mahatma Gandhi Seva Medal by Gandhi Global Family, New Delhi for his film Gandhi The Mahatma.
3) Awarded Maja Koene Social Activist award by Cesi Switzerland on 06.11.2013.
4) Awareded Bharat Jyothi Award on 10.06.2013 by India International Friendship Society.
5) Himalaya Aur Hindustan Gaurav Samman by Himalaya Aur Hindustan Festival Dehradun.
6) Felicitated by Natrang on 06.04.2013 at J & K.

Shri Lal has worked with reputed film makers of India like – Maniratnam, Priyadarshan, Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra, Umesh Mehra, Boney Kapoor, Satish Kaushik and Ashok Gaikawad.

Shri Naresh Chander Lal has dedicatedly devoted his life for the development of performing arts activities especially drama and for the promotion of good Cinema at his native Place i.e. Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Port Blair, Jan 25: The First Lady of A&N Islands, Smt Suneeti Singh paid a visit to Balika Niketan at Attampahad and Rama Krishan Mission, near Girls School today. The elated girls of Balika Niketan as well as the boys (inmates) students of Rama Krishna Mission were happy to have the First Lady amidst them.

During her visit, the First Lady interacted with 25 girls of Balika Niketan and enquired about their well being. Replicating a genuine gesture of humanity, the First Lady handed over a number of sports goodies ranging from carrom boards, tambourine, mini basket ball, board games, hoola-hoops to frisbees besides chocolates to the girls. She asked them to make best use of the facilities and develop penchant for new games. The First Lady also directed the Superintendent of Balika Niketan to arrange spoken English as well as music classes for the inmates of Balika Niketan to hone their speaking and music skills.

Interacting with the girls on the occasion, the First Lady advised them to live in peace & unity and to care for each other. She also advised them to respect the caretakers of the home.

Apart from this visit, earlier too, the First Lady frequently visited the girls of Balika Niketan in the old building situated at Atlanta Point. This was her second visit to this Balika Niketan, after it was shifted permanently to Attampahad.

Thereafter, the First Lady also visited the Rama Krishna Mission and interacted with the boys students and enquired about their wellbeing and educational progress. She also gave away chocolates, sports goodies to the students and urged them to make use of the facility. The First Lady advised the boys of Rama Krishna Mission to join the Indian Army and serve the country in various capacities.

Earlier, the inmates of Ramakrishna Mission welcomed the First Lady with a beautiful soul stirring vedic chant.

The Director, Deptt. of Social Welfare, A&N Administration, Shri M. N. Murali, Superintendent, Balika Niketan, Ms Rita Devi, the CDPO, Smt. Irene Nicholas and staffs of Social Welfare Deptt. and Balika Niketan were present on the occasions.

DJ Venkatesh
Diglipur, Jan 25: In a shocking incident one person today attacked his wife with a machete, in the middle of the Diglipur Bazaar, leaving her grievously injured.
Mr. Selestine Kindo aged about 58 years, R/o Beach Dera, Diglipur attacked his wife Rahil Soreng, aged about 50 years this afternoon because of some family issues.
Sources said that both husband wife were having some family disputes, which they wanted to solve at P S Diglipur.
Their son also wanted to join them at Police Station but during this time husband and wife started arguing in middle of the bazaar opposite to Police Booth.
After heated arguments, the accused Selestine, who bought a new Dah (machete) for agricultural purpose took out of his bag and attacked his wife on her back side. The lady suffered another hit on her face.
The lady started shouting and fell down on the road. During this their son caught hold the father from behind and a Police Home Guard Swapan Biswas who was on duty at Police booth rushed and snatched the Dah from the accused.
In the meantime Constable Ignatious Kujur brought the victim in an auto rikshaw to the CHC Diglipur for the treatment along with her son Manoj Kindo.
Soon police arrived at the spot of incident and at Hospital. As the lady was heavily bleeding, the victim was in need of the blood. Sub-Inspector Abhishek Menon donated his blood to save life of the victim. The accused was taken to custody and Police is further investigating the matter.

Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, January 24: An unknown and strange underground wirings have been found at Calicut, Supadi Basthi, which later triggered fear among the villagers.
As per reports, the workers of MGNREGA while digging earth for construction of road and drain yesterday at around 10:00 am found the mysterious and strange underground wiring network, which appeared like a copper and bronze wires.
Fearing that the wires could be connected to a bomb the workers immediately informed higher authorities of the Gram Panchayat, Calicut after which they were ordered to stop the digging work at the site.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, one of the workers said that initially even after seeing the wire they were digging the earth but while digging they noticed the earth below the wires are too loose and hence they stepped back.
“It looks very old and it can be a bomb, we fear,” the worker added.
Immediately the matter spread like a wildfire in the nearby villages and hundreds of people started visiting the place. On information by the PRI members, a team of Tylerabad Police reached the spot and started the investigation and further deputed a Police Constable at the spot, for the safety of public.
As per the police sources, the Tylerabad Police has informed the matter to the higher authorities of the police department and waiting for their directions to further investigate into the matter.
Police sources however have made it clear that it can’t not be bomb as the wires are of steel and appear to be electric wires, left behind by someone or laid by some agencies. Sources said that the police has written to all related departments to know, which department has underground cables in the area and the report will be obtained within three to four days.
This is not the first time in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands when people have found bomb inside the earth, there are many cases when people have found bomb inside the earth, while digging earth.
Some of the villagers also told Andaman Sheekha that in recent past some workers also found bomb while working at the ECR water tank which is just near to Supadi Basthi.

Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, January 25: A Hyundai i10 car with three passengers nosedived from Corbyn’s Cove coastal road into the sea shore this afternoon.
It is learnt that all the three passengers are safe but suffered minor injuries.
Although the actual reason behind the incident is yet not known but public present at the site told Andaman Sheekha that the accident occurred due to presence of cattle on the road. All three injured people, father and two daughters were rushed to G B Pant Hospital by people after the accident.
According to sources, the Car Driver is a Police Inspector of Traffic Police Unit.