Sheekha Bureau

Port Blair, Dec 14 : Members of nearly 161 families of Sri Lankan Tamil Settlers have intensified their protest against Andaman and Nicobar Administration demanding a respectable package for their permanent settlement.

The Government of India under the rehabilitation package scheme under the Sasthri- Srimao Bandaranayaka pact of 1964 had settled 48 Sri Lankan Tamil families, in tribal Island, Katchal of Nicobar Groups, in the year 1974 and 1976 and given employment in daily wages in Andaman and Nicobar Plantation Rubber Board.

Over the years the Rubber Plantation became a loss making unit leaving these families, who are now total 161 in number, in total distress.

Moreover being a Tribal Island, for the third generation decedents of the Sri Lankan Tamil Settlers it has become impossible to carry out any kind of business or purchase a land for the secure future.

After 2004 Tsunami, life for these outsiders has become more difficult because of added restrictions over outsiders in the Tribal Island Katchal.

Demanding a permanent settlement package, like other groups of settlers have been given by the Government, these Sri Lankan Settlers had moved to court in 2010, after which the court had ordered the A & N Administration to prepare a proper settlement package for them but Andaman and Nicobar Administration failed to follow the order.

“We moved to court again in 2013 claiming contempt of court and after several years of fight now the Administration seems to have finalized a package for us which is nothing but peanuts for us and an eyewash for the court,” said Lawrence George Thomas, a member of Sri Lankan Settler family of Katchal.

Lawrence said that the present package reportedly planned by the local Administration offers them only a 200 sq mtr land with a one bedroom and kitchen house, built over 80 sq mtr of land and a job for one member of each family for just one year.

“This is nothing compared to the package given earlier to other settler families. Moreover the land allotted for our package is in remote Little Andaman Island, that too, in a very interior place,” he added.

To express their anger member of all members of 161 families have organised a protest on Friday last in Katchal Island.

“We don’t want temporary jobs in package. Give us adequate land for our settlement, which will become a permanent source of income for us,” said Haridas George Thomas, another protesting Sri Lankan Tamil Settler.

The four decades old struggle for these Sri Lankan Tamil Settlers in remote Islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been a very tiresome one but the Settlers are hopeful that near future they will surely get justice.

Ganeshan
Baratang, Dec 13: A battered but crucial road link at Sundergarh-I in Middle Andaman is posing a serious security risk for the residents of Baratang. The road which connects Sundergarh-I to various other parts of Baratang is laden with massive pot-holes becoming a serious impediment for the Fire fighters to respond to emergency calls.
According to reports, the road stretch, constructed about 6-10 months earlier, has been extremely battered. The Fire Station, Baratang utilises the road stretch to reach other parts of Baratang during emergencies.
However, negotiating the pot-hole laden stretch with fully loaded fire tenders has increased the response time for fire fighters and often fire vehicles gets stuck up on the road stretch.
“Islanders suffering for battered roads may not sound new, but the condition of the road at Sundergarh has left residents at serious risk of mishaps. Fire tenders loaded with water may get trapped in the pothole-ridden road stretch and fire vehicles may suffer extensive damages. Moreover, the condition of the road extensively delays fire fighters to reach the place of emergency. In the event of any fire accident, huge loss of lives and property will be caused due to the poor condition of the road. The authorities concerned should immediately press into action to prevent any disaster in Baratang,” said some residents of Sundergarh.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, the Pradhan, Sundergarh, Mr Biju Gurudasan said that the road doesn’t come under the jurisdiction of Sundergarh Panchayat. But if the administration hands over the road to my Panchayat, immediate repair works will be undertaken for the benefit of the residents, he assured.

MP urges Admn. for ensuring availability of Ultrasound, X-Ray machines in PHC Hut Bay

Port Blair, Dec 13: During the tour of Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament, A & N Islands, to Little Andaman from Nov. 20 to 23, 2015, the villagers of Little Andaman Island interacted with him and expressed that due to non- availability of Ultra Sound and X-Ray machines in PHC Hut Bay, the patients who need such examination and tests, are compelled to visit Port Blair after spending huge amounts towards transportation, lodging/boarding etc. The position becomes more critical, if the patient is pregnant lady in advanced stage or an old aged person who needs companion to travel up to Port Blair by any means of transportation for such test/examination. They also informed about the non- availability of tickets in ship and in helicopter in due course of time.
Considering these facts and circumstances, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament in his letter has requested the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration for intervening in to the matter and to direct the Health Department to ensure for the availability of Ultrasound machine and X-Ray machine in PHC, Hut Bay for the benefit of the Islanders.

Ganesh & DJ Venkatesh
Baratang, Dec 13: A large number of tourists and tour operators expressed their anger infront of Baratang’s DFO office on Saturday, when the DFO office suddenly stopped issuing permits to tourists, giving some strange excuses.
Tourists who came all the way to Baratang to see nature’s beauty, Lime Stone Caves, were denied permit by the forest office by giving excuse that some foreign national have entered the area. However, later no such foreign nationals were found in the area.
It has been reported that some angry tourists and tour operators shouted slogans against the forest department, as no permit from Forest Department means waste of one complete day for tourists, visiting Baratang.
Some tour operators alleged that the DFO of Baratang, who was coming towards Baratang on Saturday morning was not allowed to overtake a Mortuary Van at Jirkatang Out Post by Police and because of this, out of anger he asked his men to stop issuing permits to tourists.
However, later after protest the Forest office of Baratang started issuing permits to tourists after nearly 1 hour 30 minutes of confusion, for which most of the tourists had to miss their lunch during the day long trip.

Port Blair, Dec 11: A high level meeting was convened in the Chamber of the Mr. Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport & Highway, New Delhi on 10.12.2015 wherein Andaman MP, Senior Officials of NHIDCL, Senior Officer/Officials of the MoRT&H, New Delhi, Senior Defense Officers of Delhi, Smti Minoti Biswas, Adhyaksha ZP, South Andaman District, Smti Prabhabothi Biswas, Adhyaksha, ZP, N & M Andaman, Smti Sheela Singh, Chairperson, Municipal Council Port Blair, Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti Little Andaman and Diglipur were also present.
The meeting was convened to review the status for construction 2 bridges one each at Middle Strait and Humphrey Strait and Construction of National Highway. During the discussion, the necessity and other aspects in regard to construction of bridge for connectivity between Chatham and Bamboo flat has been also discussed in detail.
In the meeting, the Minister, RT & Highways has also enquired from the Defence Officers participated the meeting about any objection of the project. Since, the Defence is not having any objection; it has been unanimously decided to drop the proposal of submerged tunnel & to construct Steel Bridge with folding facilities as like the bridge of Khidirpur, West Bengal between Chatham and Bamboo flat for providing smooth and free traffic movement throughout the year, round the clock.
The MD /Experts of NHIDCL participated the meeting informed that the proposed bridge facilitated with pavement and space of motor cycle passage with the width of 7 mtrs will be constructed in total length of 800 mtrs. and with height of 80 mtrs. The MD of NHIDCL further informed that tender for this purpose will be floated shortly.

 

Port Blair/ New Delhi, Dec 11: In a big boost to her Rio Olympics qualification bid, India’s cycling star Deborah Herold jumped to a historic fourth spot in the world rankings issued today.

Deborah was 10th just before the recently concluded Track Asia Cup here and had won one gold and two silver medal in that event which helped her improve rankings.

The 20-year-old Deborah, from Andaman and Nicobar, collected 211 points in 500m time trial and secured fourth place in the World Elite UCI (International Cycling Union) ranking released by UCI.

With the brilliant performance by Deborah in the Track Asia Cup last month, the Indian team has also improved its world ranking to 13th. India is the highest ranking Asian country in 500m time trial as China is on 15th spot.

An elated Deborah said that he would work to improve her rankings further to world number one.

“I am happy that my ranking has improved a lot and I am the first Indian cyclist to reach at this stage but I want to improve more in the coming days and aiming to be number one in the world. I would like to thank our federation and government for their continuous support in our preparations. I am working hard to qualify for Olympics now,” she said.

Commenting on the development, Cycling Federation of India Secretary General Onkar Singh said, “We are very happy that Indian Cyclists are improving day by day and I’m sure that Deborah will bring more laurels for the country.

“The chances for Indian team to qualify for World Championship are much brighter now as till 15th rank teams will qualify for World Championship and currently India is on 13th rank. However, this ranking will further update after Asian Championship which will be held from 26-30 January 2016 in Japan.

“After looking at the recent outstanding performance of Indian cyclists, World Cycling Centre in Switzerland has announced 75% concession to Indian cyclist to train in Switzerland. After which the federation has decided to send Kejia Vargheese and Deborah Herold alongwith their coach R K Sharma for training in Switzerland till the Asian Championship in Japan early next year,” said Onkar.

Port Blair, Dec 11: The Students of Girls School Port Blair have brought laurels to the Islands by winning the Winner’s Trophy in the Visual Art Category at the National Level Kala Utsav at New Delhi today evening.
The students and the resource teacher Smti Vidya received the medals and the cheque of Rs one Lakh Twenty Five thousands, by the special guests, Union Minister MHRD Smti Smriti Irani, Noble prize winner Kailash Satyarthi, Eminent Dancer Sonal Man Singh and Shri Ruskin Bond, at Bal Bhavan.
Addressing the children Smti Irani said though they came with the competitive feeling for the Kala Utsav but they would leave with spirit of Unity, celebrating the greatness of the country. She appreciated the efforts of all the 1400 students reached the capital from all over the country, for showcasing their rich traditional folk culture.
The Girls school team had presented the body painting visual art form of the primitive tribes Jarawa and onges. Their e-project depicted the hard work done by the students in collecting details of the less known art form.
In the Kala Utsav the students had to perform in the four categories. The categories were Folk dance, folk song, folk theatre and visual art. The theme was ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’, as suggested by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. At the National Level the Haddo Tamil medium school presented Nicobari Folk Song whereas Webi School students presented Karen Dance.
The Model school students presented theatre on Nicobari Folk Tale and Girls School presented Visual Art form. The Coordinator of the team Shri Shailendra Lall communicated from New Delhi that all the performances of the Islands’ students were appreciated by the art lovers.

Port Blair, December 9: Hon’ble Lt Governor, Lt Gen A K Singh (Retd), today visited Garacharma area and inspected the status of the municipal services being provided in this extended municipal ward. The Lt Governor visited Rajaji Nagar and heard the problems and grievances of the residents there. The people of the area were elated to find the Hon’ble Lt Governor amidst them. They raised various issues pertaining to roads, bus services, toilet & garbage bins etc. After hearing them, the Lt Governor directed the Principal Secretary (APWD) to re-lay the roads. Directions were given to Secretary (PBMC) to start bus services on this route from the 14th of this month. He also directed the Secretary (PBMC) to put adequate garbage bins. He exhorted the residents to involve themselves with the Swatch Bharat campaign and voluntary organize ‘Shramdhan’ to keep their areas neat and clean. He also directed Principal Secretary (APWD) to enhance the capacity of the NTPC power plant at Garacharma, based on availability of space.

The Lt Governor also visited the Panchayat Office, Garacharma. He directed the Secretary (PBMC) to get the Panchayat office vacated and prepare a project for a modern multi-purpose building of PBMC, wherein a community hall, offices of the municipal staff, sports club along with other facilities can be developed. The project report should be ready by January end, he said. Residents drew the attention of the Hon’ble Lt Governor to a nearby overhead water tank, which has remained unused for the last 10 years. On this, he directed Secretary (PBMC) to initiate an inquiry into this. The Lt Governor also visited the CARI road and interacted with the people there. He directed APWD for putting up a report about his earlier visit in which he ordered for construction of an approach road, which has not been constructed till date. On his way back, the Lt Governor directed the Secretary (PBMC) and Deputy Commissioner (SA) to remove all roadside encroachments in the stretch of road from the airport to Bathubasti junction. He directed PBMC to develop roadside gardens so that the entire stretch of road looks beautiful.
During his visit, the Lt Governor also visited the Primary Health Centre at Garacharma and inquired about the health care facilities made available to the patients. He also interacted with the outpatients and inquired from them about the availability of medicines and para-medical staff. He directed the Principal Secretary (APWD) to redesign the hospital building plan so that it can be made a modern District hospital. Once the District hospital will start functioning, patients of the area will not have to come to G B Pant Hospital for treatment as all the modern health care facilities will be made available in this hospital. Directions were given to the Principal Secretary (APWD) to develop the hospital as a green hospital with all necessary facilities for disabled persons including lift facility. The design and other works should be ready by 28th December as the foundation of the District hospital will be laid during the first week of January 2016, he said. The visit of the Lt Governor, his interaction with the residents and on the spot decisions were greatly appreciated by the common people.
Chief Secretary, Ward Councillor, senior officers of APWD and PBMC were also present on the occasion.