DJ Venktash & Murlidharan Pillai
Diglipur, Dec 09: A boy identified as Nani Gopal Das, 23 years, resident of Subhash Gram, Diglipur today committed suicide by consuming some poison, inside Port Blair bound Anand Bus.
Initial investigation says the boy had consumed Pesticide, used in paddy fields.
While the young man’s family members are wallowing in mourning, neighbours and acquaintance too are still reeling from shock over his sudden death. The question everyone asking is: Why would a young, able-bodied choose to take his own life?
According to highly placed sources the boy was in love with a girl, who is studying in Mayabunder College and because of some kind of misunderstanding he committed suicide.
Sources said that the boy purchased ticket for the Bus in the morning and got seat number 23. At Kalra Junction, close to Diglipur, the Bus conductor checked his ID but when the Bus reached Mayabunder and some fellow passengers came down to relieve themselves, people inside the bus found the boy unconscious. He was immediately rushed to Mayabunder Hospital, where he was declared dead.
According to reports, the father of the boy had called him several times in the morning, when he found his son is not there at home. The boy did not even pick up the calls. According to fellow passengers he spoke to the girl sitting inside the bus before taking this extreme step.
MP meets Minister of MORT&H, highlights Bridge Issues
Port Blair, Dec 09: Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, the Member of Parliament, A & N Islands met with Mr. Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Shipping , Road Transport and Highways on 8/12/2014 and discussed on various issues of A & N Islands relating to the shipping, Road Transport and Highway Ministry. Issues which were discussed are construction of two bridges at Middle strait and Humphrey Strait and also construction of National Highway in 2 Lane for a length of 60 km road from Chidiyatapu to Jirkatang; Releasing of unspent balance CRF fund of Rs. 38.37 crores on account of Cess collected on diesel procurement, for its utilization in construction and up-gradation of state Highway which are now in dilapidated condition; Construction of bridge between Chatham and Bambooflat in the large interest of residents of rural area; Improvement of shipping service by strengthening the infrastructure and qualified Engineers to upgrade the repair & maintenance of ship. As there are numbers of Ships/Boats standing on queue since long time for entry in the dockyard to undertake the repair works; Construction of additional dry dock to facilitate the repair works of the Boats/Ships within a short span; Reinstatement of boat service/vehicle ferry services which have been discontinued due to damage of berthing jetties by Tsunami 2004, particularly the vehicle ferry services between Chatham Bambooflat , Uttra and Gandhi Ghat jetty and the ferry services between Middle strait and Oral Katcha, Junglighat and Mitha Khari, Hanspuri and Mayabunder and Kalighat and Mayabunder .
Apart from that, the Member of Parliament has also highlighted some other issues before the Minister such as Providing additional ferry services and passenger –cum- cargo Vessels services for Neil Island , Havelock , Rangat , Little Andaman , Mayabunder ,Long Island, Diglipur , Car Nicobar , Katchal , Kamorta , Teressa and Campbell bay to facilitate the tourism activity and also to boost the economic condition of the Islanders and introduction of new ferry services at Ganesh Nagar Shanti Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Jagannath derra, Paschimsagar under Diglipur Tehsil.
In pursuant to the discussion the Minister has taken up the Matter seriously and reportedly assured to take immediate action to sort-out the problem raised by the Member of Parliament. The Minister of MORT&H has further assured the Member of Parliament that he will take all possible effort to visit Andaman during Jan, 2015.
The Member of Parliament has also discussed the issue for construction of 2 Bridges at Humphry Strait and Middle Strait and also construction of 60 km road in two Lane of National Highway with the Secretary, Superintending Engineer and The Chief Engineer of the Ministry. The Chief Engineer assured that he will visit Port Blair along with the consultants to sort out the problems, such as environmental impact study Forest/CRZ clearance etc. for under taking the works, as the works cannot be awarded unless pre-requisite formulates are completed
Super specialists to provide services at GBPH
Port Blair, Dec 09: Super Specialists of Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata will be rendering their services in GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair from 15th to 20th December 2014. Services will be available in the various disciplines such has Dr. Dhritabrata Das, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist, DCH; DNB (Paediatric), Fellowship in Paediatric Cardiology (India & Australia); Dr. Arun Ganguli, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, MS (Gen Surgery) and Dr. Amlan Mandal, Consultant Neurologist, MD, DM (Neuro).
They will examine the patients in Room No. 6 & 17, at OPD, GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair. For screening of cases for super specialist treatment, the general public is requested to consult Dr. S. S. Singh and Dr. Omkar Singh, Medical Specialists for Cardiology & Neurology cases and Dr. Saji Varghese and Sukumar Saha, Surgical Specialists, for plastic surgery cases in their respective OPDs at GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair. The general public is also requested to register their name for appointment with Helpdesk /Enquiry Counter at OPD Complex, GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair over telephone (230629) or in person.
Blood Donation Camp at NHS Dhanvantari a Success
Port Blair, Dec 09: A Blood Donation Camp was organised by INHS Dhanvantari as part of Navy Week Celebrations on 05 Dec 14. The camp was inaugurated by Mrs Rubu Chatterjee, President Defence Wives Welfare Association (DWWA), Andaman & Nicobar Command. A total of 185 volunteers which included Service personnel, their families and civilians donated blood.. The event was also graced by Vice Admiral PK Chatterjee PVSM, AVSM, NM, Commander–in–Chief and Maj Gen PK Siwach Chief of Staff Andaman & Nicobar Command who also contributed towards this noble cause. The Camp was supervised by Dr Shahina Mustaqim, OIC Blood Bank, GB Pant Hospital and Surg Lt Cdr Smriti Mathur, OIC Blood Bank INHS Dhanvantari and co–ordinated by staff of GB Pant Hospital, INHS Dhanvantari and A&N AIDS Control Society.
Midas Touch of ANIIDCO!
A glowing tribute to Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Ltd (ANIIDCO), the business arm of A & N Admn on its 26th Foundation Day, which falls on 28 June 2014.
By Zubair Ahmed
On a Monday morning like today, I was waiting at Goal Ghar junction for an auto. Saw one coming from Haddo side, stopped it and asked the driver to take me to ANIIDCO. Without wasting time, he surged ahead and sped his auto and within a few seconds came to a screeching halt at Junglighat. Puzzled, I looked towards the driver. He smiled pointing his finger towards a shop on the left side of the road. Before I could say anything, he said, “Saab, ANIIDCO aa gaya, yahan beedh kam hai.”
And that was general knowledge for me. In fact, I wanted to go to ANIIDCO ‘corporate’ office next to Raj Niwas, but, the auto driver, a very loyal brand ambassador of ANIIDCO knew very well where to take me. And that is ANIIDCO for majority of the Islanders.
Whatever the objective for which ANIIDCO was founded. “Developing and commercially exploiting the natural resources for the balanced and environment friendly development of the territory on sound business principles.” One thing is for sure, it’s one activity truly reflects its tagline – Touching the Lives of People!
Nobody in the Islands touch your lives like ANIIDCO do. They even touch the lives of the un-contacted ones! From Diglipur to Campbell Bay, they touch everybody’s life including the Jarawas, Great Andamanese, Onges and may be we aren’t sure – the Sentinalese too!
Its Midas touch, and whoever had the prospect of being touched by ANIIDCO will vouch, how much their lives have changed. Not just the lives of individuals, it drastically changes the lives of the whole family.
ANIIDCO takes special care of the poor illiterate Islanders. They treat everyone with equal care. They know that the gullible Islanders wont be able to pronounce Champagne (Champaag-nee) and many other premium brands. The self-service liquor shops in a couple of places saves the poor people from embarrassment. They can just pick one without uttering a single word.
All the 13 liquor outlets ANIIDCO operates are very close to the main road making it very convenient for the Islanders to locate it easily and remain in touch always.
ANIIDCO knows its priorities quite well. There was huge demand for a petrol pump at Havelock since a decade, but ANIIDCO realized that more than petrol and diesel, the easiest way to touch the lives of people will be through a self-service liquor shop and they put it in their plan for 2012-13 and achieved the target in no time.
The A&N Admn has always helped ANIIDCO achieve its goals. With changing times, the revisions incorporated in the Excise Policy for the Islands reflect the commitment of the Administration in fulfilling the aspirations of all Islanders. In 2008-2009, the Excise Policy prohibited selling or supply of liquor to any Andamanese or Nicobarese or any other Scheduled Tribes.
How can the Excise Policy of 2010-2013 be same? There has to be some progress. Hence, it was changed into “the licensee will not sell or supply liquor to any ‘Aboriginal’ Scheduled Tribes of Andaman andNicobar Islands.
Very conveniently Nicobarese were excluded as they are supposedly mainstreamed and they too need to experience the Midas touch. How can ANIIDCO be unfair to Nicobarese? Although, officially there are no outlets in Nicobar or Kamorta, but they can avail the facilities at the outlets in Port Blair.
The Administration is not bothered whether you get uninterrupted water supply, power supply, internet connection or even fuel. They don’t have any provision to penalize anybody if they fail in delivering the above services. But, that is not the case with liquor. As it touches the lives of the majority, in the Excise Policy 2010-13, one can find the following clause:
“The Licensee (ANIIDCO in this case) in Form “C” shall keep three months stock in his warehouse of all the brands approved for sale in the Union Territory of A&N Islands so that uninterrupted supply to the retail vends/outlets can be maintained throughout the licensing year. In case, the licensee fails to maintain the required stock, penal action will be initiated as deemed fit by the Secretary (Excise), A&N Administration.”
It would be unfair, if ANIIDCO is just judged by its IMFL division. But the link is very strong. It would make more sense if we have a look into many other trades and businesses they are into.
The total turnover of ANIIDCO in 2012-13 was Rs 207 crores and the profit before taxation was Rs 16.16 crore. Now it would be easy to analyze the whole business of ANIIDCO.
In 2012-13 they made an operating profit of Rs 62.86 lakhs from Steel sales. In POL Division, it made a profit of Rs 1.47 crores. In Tourism Division, it earned a profit of Rs 36.50 lakhs. In Milk Division, the books show a loss of Rs 13.59 Lakhs. In Air ticketing, ANIIDCO made a loss of Rs 1.45 Lakhs. In Credit and Finance Division, it made an operating profit of Rs 4.99 Crores.
And now lets have a look into the profits they earned by selling liquor. In 2012-13, they earned an operating profit of Rs. 12 Crores. The total income through Liquor Sales was Rs 120.46 Crores and the Expenditure was Rs 108.46 Crores.
Out of operating profit of Rs 16 Crores, ANIIDCO’s lion share of profit of Rs 12 Crores came from liquor sales!
Every year, liquor sales is picking up. In 2011, the profit was Rs 8.12 Crores. In 2012, it went up to Rs 11.23 Crores.
And, by touching the lives of people, ANIIDCO could also contribute Rs 54.89 Crores to the Exchequer through Sales Tax, Octroi, Excise Duty, Income Tax and License Fee. What an achievement!
Don’t ask about the poor performance of milk division and air ticketing division. If you raise the issue, both divisions might face the same fate as Vegetable and Fruit Division. Better leave it there or they will act like real “corporate.”
Whenever ANIIDCO touched the lives of the Islanders, many other agencies were also activated to do their bit. In fact the amount spend from LG Relief Fund, and the expenses borne by GB Pant Hospital and many others on treating those touched by ANIIDCO need not be calculated.
Who cares why the suicide rates, road accidents, domestic violence and broken families have increased in the Islands, when the bottom line is quite encouraging.
More than financial benefit, ANIIDCO needs to be recognized by United Nations for their yeomen service in keeping the population growth in check. And also reducing the lifespan of the Islanders and helping many more to get government employment.
Moreover, they are not sitting idle basking in the glow light of fame. ANIIDCO has proposed to create a fund of 3% for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. The amount of Rs 30.55 Lakhs will be used to promote the sports of sailing. Indeed, the need of the hour!
ANIIDCO, in fact had many projects in its kitty – Undersea Cable Project, Tourism Projects, Shipping etcetera.. etcetera.. But, honchos in the Administration felt that these projects wont be in line with their motto of touching the lives of people. Hence, they are asked to do the one best thing they are capable of doing – Sell Liquor!
The Flipside of Drug Bans
Dr. Almas Kiran Shamim
A drug goes through many steps of clearance before being finally introduced into the commercial market. However, it is not surprising if, even after passing through rigorous trials, some drug ends up being banned due to newly reported adverse effects. After all, the human body is more complex than our imagination can permit us to believe. And it is only in our best interest that such pharmacovigilance exists lest there be absolutely no control over a drug once it is introduced into the market. There are innumerable instances of commercial drugs being banned, one of the most famous being the ban on thalidomide following birth defects in the babies whose mothers had consumed the teratogenic drug. Such instances, however scary, do reassure us in at least some ways- that harmful drugs won’t be allowed to pervade the market. However, there is a flip side to every drug ban which not many of us think about, especially if the drug had never concerned us in the first place.
The recent banning and unbanning of pioglitazone, the potent anti-diabetic drug, and the melodrama that accompanied both the steps is only the visible tip of the iceberg that is the real problem. While on one side there are many questions that remain -Why did the Govt. of India ban the drug without evidence strong enough to prove its relation to certain types of cancer? Is there a lobby that brought about the ban so that more expensive anti diabetic drugs like gliptins can be promoted? Or is there is a lobby promoting the sale of pioglitazone in spite of its potential adverse effects?- on the other side remains the not so talked about effects of the ban! The effects on the patients and their families!
Pioglitazone, a very effective and cheap drug used in the control of Diabetes Mellitus, was banned in India in the month of June 2013.
The market was emptied of the drug in days leaving the millions of Indians relying on this drug for their blood sugar control totally helpless. While those on pioglitazone alone or lower doses of other anti-diabetic drugs had more scope of gaining blood sugar control, those who were on multi drug regimens and already on high doses of other family drugs had a tough time. This is especially true in situations where there are not many experienced doctors available to manage diabetes well, or where the very availability of other drugs is a question. Another issue could be the expenses that the patient and his/her family would have to meet with, if the newer substitute drugs are more expensive than the previous drugs. Such problems can drastically reduce the compliance to treatment and cause a sharp increase in the incidence of complications. Diabetes is known to effect almost every organ adversely and can even lead to death through many pathways. One example of a complication that arose after the ban is of a female patient who went into diabetic ketoacidosis, an acute complication of uncontrolled diabetes, even as treating physicians were trying to fix a new regimen of drugs for her. This, in turn, led to an infection in the kidneys with a high fatality rate. The patient is still recovering and is now on insulin, while the ban has happily been lifted.
This only stresses on the need for the Govt. to function with more sensitivity to issues of public health importance. With each drug ban, there should be sufficient media coverage of notifications of the best available alternatives, notices to health professionals to adopt alternate means and steps to insure that the alternatives are made economically, socially and geographically accessible to all. A harmful drug in the market is a failure of pharmacovigilance. But, a ban that comes without new management guidelines is no success either!
Cremate both of us together, is our last wish: says suicide note
Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, May 16: The couple, who had committed suicide on 14th May 2013 night in Surya Lodge of Phongy Kyuang, had left a suicide note, which says that they wanted that their bodies should be cremated together. “It is our last wish that our bodies should be cremated together,” the letter said.
27 years old S Anand Kumar was in love with 21 year old Sneha Bala, B.Sc, B.Ed since last many years and according to him, under
family pressure he had to marry someone else. But that did not kill love, between both of them.
According to reports, Anand Kumar and Sneha Bala had ran away in February 6, 2013 but after a police complaint, both of them were brought back to Port Blair.
According to report on 14 May night Anand Kumar had booked a room in Surya Lodge saying that her mother and sister are coming from some remote Island. Though the manager doubted when he brought only a girl with him but when Anand said that she is his sister and his mother will be coming soon from shopping, the manager of the lodge allowed them to enter.
Next day on 15 May the door was not opened even by afternoon and smelling something rat the manager informed police about the matter. Later it was found that both had committed suicide on 14th night by consuming some insecticide. A whisky bottle has also been recovered from the room.
Anand Kumar, left behind his wife, a two month old baby and a devastated family. Situation is same in girls’ family.
Island Girl Laxmi becomes Producer, shoots for her first Film ‘6to6’
E Arun
Port Blair, May 16: It was not a smooth sail for Laxmi, an Island girl, who had decided to chase her dreams of becoming a film star and shift to Mumbai.
As it is said that if there is a will there is a way, for Laxmi things became easy slowly in Mumbai. Within few years she started getting small roles in Mainstream TV serials like ‘Crime Patrol’, ‘CID’ etc.
Taking things a step further, Laxmi has turned producer of Telegu Films and is now back in her mother land to shoot for her first Telegu film ‘6to6’, a suspense thriller, in which she will also be playing the role of lead actress. According to reports Mr. Venkat will play the lead role and Mr. Chitti Babu will play the role of comedian.
“The film will be directed by Mr. Janardhan Challa and for fifteen more days, we will shoot in Andamans. Tomorrow we will shoot at Government College,” Laxmi told Andaman Sheekha.
Sudhir Singh Yadav, New DGP takes over
Port Bliar, May 16: Mr. Sudhir Singh Yadav, IPS has joined the Andaman and Nicobar Administration on May 15th 2013 and has taken over the charge of Director General of Police, A&N Islands. He is 1985 batch IPS officer of AGMU Cadre.
After his Master of Science in Geography followed by degree in Journalism and Mass Communication he joined Indian Police Service in the year 1985. Prior to his posting, to these Islands as DGP, he has also served in A & N Islands as DIG (Law & Order) from 9th October 2000 to 6th October 2003. He has vast experience in Law Enforcement, Investigation of Crime, Intelligence gathering & Surveillance and Management of resources (Men & Material).
He has served in Delhi Police as DCP on various important assignments including DCP (Provisioning & Logistics), DCP (North District) & (South District), Anti Corruption, Special Branch etc. He has also served as Additional Commissioner of Police (PM Security), Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime against Women) & Joint Commissioner (Northern Range) in Delhi Police. Before joining in A&N Police as DGP, he was working as Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) & (Vigilance) and Nodal Officer for Crime against Women and children in
Delhi. In recognition of his services he was conferred with President Police Medal for Meritorious Service while he was posted as Joint Commissioner of Police, Delhi.
Patients’ woes continue: Is Administration waiting for more deaths? :::: Seven Patients at Diglipur denied Boarding by Captain of M.V Katchal
D J Venkatesh
Diglipur, May 02: Last week Andaman Sheekha had reported that how mismanagement in Directorate of Shipping Services had claimed life of a pre-mature baby at Diglipur Island. But instead of learning from past mistakes, the Directorate of Shipping Service is making things further difficult for public, especially patients, who are referred to Port Blair from remote Islands.
M.V Katchal was scheduled to sail for Port Blair from Diglipur on 1st May 2013. According to the sources there were seven patients waiting at the jetty without tickets to board the vessel. As tickets are always in high demand in Diglipur due to lack of ferry vessels in Port Blair- Diglipur route, it has become a trend in Diglipur that those patients, who don’t get ticket, reach the Jetty and board the ship, paying 100 percent penalty.
For these seven patients, the Shipping Counter In-charge of Diglipur, Mr. Harshit Sarkar was also ready to provide tickets to the patients, with 100 percent penalty but the Captain of the vessel reportedly did not allow those patients to board the vessel, for reasons best known to him. As stranded passengers and patients were fuming, Mr. Harshit immediately, informed the authorities about the issue over the telephone from Ariel Bay Jetty.
Among the seven patients there was also an expecting mother and all the seven patients were referred by CHC Diglipur to G.B Pant Hospital, Port Blair. Upon knowing about the incident crowd gathered at the Ariel Bay jetty along with the leaders of the Youth Congress and started agitating against DSS.
Soon Dr. Vivek Kumar, Assistant Commissioner, Diglipur reached the spot and requested the Captain to halt for some time so that he can take up the matter with the higher authorities but the Captain of the vessel did not care about anything and the vessel sailed at 9:00 PM without taking the patients.
Mr. Vivek Kumar reported this matter to Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, North and Middle Andaman. Mr. Sanjay took up the matter with the Shipping Secretary and finally the vessel came back to Ariel Bay Jetty at about 10:15 PM to take the patients onboard and after that it again sailed again for Port Blair.
According to the sources the pregnant lady delivered her child in the vessel during the sailing. The vessel however, reached Port Blair at about 9:00 AM today.
The incident shows that how insensitive the Shipping Department has become towards serious patients and general public. This incident also shows how much ship journey is popular among public and also patients.
The shipping department after the recent incident of the death of the pre-mature infant had informed Andaman Sheekha that M.V Dering will be deployed for Diglipur and now M.V Dering is going to sail for Diglipur every Thursday at 5:00 Pm. M.V Dering has six Cabins which will be very beneficial for the patients and the senior citizens, public expects.
Mr. J. Boby, General Secretary, Youth Congress talking to Andaman Sheekha stated that “Unless the DHS resume the services of X-Ray, CT scan and sends specialized Doctors like Orthopedic & Gynecologists, the problem of referred patients will remain same for years and years.. Moreover M.V Dering sailing schedule should be properly publicized through press for awareness of the General public.”