DJ Venkatesh

Diglipur, Nov 04: The Seaplane Service was launched with much fanfare at Port Blair in the month of December 2010 and it was said that the Seaplane service will bring sea of changes in these Islands. But for people of Diglipur Island, the reality appears other way round, even in 2012.

Since last one week, hardly thrice Seaplane landed at Diglipur with passengers and before that for nearly one month the sea plane service was totally disrupted for unknown reasons. Although reason behind disruption of Seaplane service is said to be ‘Bad Weather Condition’ but if weather conditions of October or November Months are considered bad for Seaplanes, then it appears that throughout the year the schedule of Seaplane Service will remain unpredictable for Diglipur region.

Prominent citizens and PRI members of Diglipur believe that if the Administration ties-up with the Andaman Nicobar Command then the Shibpur Airport of ANC could be used for landing of Sea Plane. In that case, everyday Sea Plane will be able to land at Diglipur, without worrying about high waves.

“When such arrangement is possible in Car Nicobar why the same can’t be done for people of Diglipur?” questioned a PRI member of North Andaman.

The saddest part of the story is the Helicopter Service to Diglipur was withdrawn by Administration as soon as the Sea Plane Service was started but at present neither Seaplane nor Helicopter reaches Diglipur, leaving people of Diglipur in high sea.

When Andaman Sheekha spoke to Dr. Vivek Kumar, the Assistant Commissioner of Diglipur he said that such arrangement is possible if the Administration desires.

“Shibpur Airport is quite capable for Seaplane landing and take-off. The Administration will have to seek permission from Defence Ministry. If that is done, we are ready to provide transport service upto Shibpur Airport for passengers,” the Assistant Commissioner added.

Andaman Sheekha sincerely hopes that the Administration will take up this matter seriously with the Defence Ministry to bring some relief for the people of Digilipur Region, who needs either Seaplane or helicopter service badly.

 

Staff Correspondent

Nimbudera, Nov 04: Believe it or not, the conductor of Nimbudera Express of State Transport Service (STS) has become a talk of entire Middle Andaman region for showing amazing Vanishing Acts.

According to passengers as soon as the Nimbudera Express reaches Billyground the Conductor becomes Mr. India and vanishes in thin air. Neither passengers nor the driver could see him after the Billyground Bazar Bus Stop. The said conductor demonstrates this skill every alternate day, whenever he is in duty on Nimbudera Express.

The matter doesn’t end here, the said driver reportedly reappears everytime dramatically, next day morning at Thuratang Bus Stop, when the Bus reaches there on its return journey to Port Blair.

However, when Andaman Sheekha investigated into the matter it has been found that the said conductor, who seems to have an understanding with drivers, gets down from bus as soon as the Bus reaches Billyground Bazar Bus Stop.

When Andaman Sheekha reporter followed him, it was found that after getting down the said conductor directly goes to a make-shift shop, which is well known for selling liquor illegally and after that the conductor goes to his home at Thuratang.

It is learnt that from Billyground Bazar Bus Stop the bus is driven and managed by the Driver alone upto Nimbudera. Before the final stop the Bus runs for nearly 10 km i.e. Billyground Bazar to Nimbudra – Nimbudera Colony- Nimbudera Police Outpost- again Nimbudrea Colony (for night halt).

The said Bus starts its return journey at around 6.00 am From Nimbudera and instead of reaching to Nimbudra on time, the said conductor gets on the Bus from Thuratang, where he actually lives.

Naturally, nobody could understand that from Nibudera to Billyground and Billyground to Nimbudera, how many people gets on the bus and how many gets down without paying even a single penny.

When Andaman Sheekha corresponded caught him red handed and questioned him about this negligence, while he was coming out of a liquor shop, the arrogant Bus Conductor challenged the newspaper “Kya Kar Sakta hai Kar Lo, Photo Nikalna chahata hai nikal lo aur photo chap do (Do whatever you can do. If you wish to click photographs, do click and publish those photos”. Hope the Transport Department will look into this matter and so will the Chief Secretary.

 

Port Blair, Nov 04: Government Senior Secondary School, Sabari organized a Science, & Craft Exhibition titled ‘Gyan Sarovar- 2012’ in its premises from 1st November 2012 to 3rd November 2012.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Miss Sakshi IAS, Assistant Commisioner, Mayabunder in the presence of Deputy Education Officer Rangat, Pradhan Rangat ,Sabari,SMC Members and other Head of Institutions from Rangat on 1st November 2012.The chief guest visited all the exhibits, interacted with the students and appreciated the efforts of students.

A cultural programme was also arranged soon after the inaugural function.Earlier, the Principal of the School, welcomed the gathering. The parents also visited the exhibition and appreciated the development of scientific attitude, to create awareness towards environment among students. Smt.Mariyam Joy, PGT proposed the vote of thanks.

 

 

Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Nov 01: For all wrong reasons Diglipur region is always in news. A Staff Nurse working at CHC Diglipur in leave vacancy has accused one Doctor of man-handling her during duty hours on 29th October afternoon. The Staff Nurse has submitted a written complaint to the Medical Superintendent of the region.

“Yes there was a complaint and as per the directions given by my superiors, I have recorded the statement of the Nurse as well as the Doctor and sent to Directorate of Health Department. The Director will take further action,” said Dr. Shammi, who retired from the Post of Medical Superintendent on 31st October 2012.

According to the Nurse, the Doctor had called the Staff Nurse inside a room and asked for undue favours and tried to hold her hands. Unconfirmed report says that the Staff Nurse had shown courage and recorded the voice of the Doctor and also slapped him hard. Later the matter was also communicated to Senior Officers of Directorate of Health Services over phone by the said Staff Nurse.

According to the reports, the Doctor had also threatened the Staff Nurse when she protested and had locked her inside a room for a while and shouted on her.

However, highly placed sources told Andaman Sheekha that the said Doctor had rubbished these allegations in his statement submitted to the Medical Superintendent.

Now everybody is eagerly waiting to see what action the Director will take in this case.

 

Diglipur, Nov 01: The 105th Thevar Guru Puja festival was celebrated on 30th Oct, 2012, the Birth and Death Anniversary of Late Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar was celebrated befitting manner at Mukkulothor Sangam building at V.S.Palli, Diglipur, North Andaman.

In the morning milk pot forwarding from Sri Vativel Murugan temple held than flag hoisting, milk abishegam fallowed in the evening cultural program’s like Rangoli, debate competition held at Panchayat Bhawan, Diglipur and dresses,sarees, learning materials were distributed at the Orphanage centre at Magarnallah,Diglipur Special Invitees attended the programme was Mr. R.Mohan State President, BJP, Mr. Uttam Kumar Saha,Pradhan Radhanagar.

 

N & M Correspondent
Port Blair, Oct 30: Two Elephants on Andaman Trunk Road today charged people, leaving dozens of ATR passengers stranded. The incident was reported this afternoon at around 1.00 PM between Wireless Tickry and Zilabighoom areas near Mayabunder.

According to reports, those who were crossing the said portion of ATR, found two Elephants mating on the Andaman Trunk Road, just after a sharp turning.

Because of the sharp turn many ATR passengers reached very close to those elephants, which left one of the elephant fuming. The elephant reportedly charge people, many escaped death miraculously.

According to reports, movement of the said portion of ATR was blocked for nearly one hour, even the Pradhan of Hari Nagar Panchayat Mr. Hirenmoy Roy was struck at ATR for nearly one hour. Many left their vehicles and ran away fearing death.

When Andaman Sheekha contacted forest officials they mentioned that the Elephants belong to Forest Corporation but why those elephants were left free on ATR is not clear yet. It is reported that often elephants are found roaming on ATR, which may result in disaster anytime.