Port Blair, Feb 12: A Scientist from Banglore, Mr. T K Gururaj died at Diglipur’s Primary Health Centre on 9th February 2012, few hours after he was brought to the hospital with complaints of severe chest pain.

According to reports Mr. Gururaj, from BHEL Banglore, was working for Indian Coast Guard and was camped at Diglipur, further details are awaited. Later his body was brought back from Diglipur by Coast Guard Helicopter.

Port Blair, Feb 09: Mr. Justice Soumitra Pal, Judge, High Court, Calcutta & Judge In-charge, A&N Islands will inaugurate the newly created court of Chief Judicial Magistrate for the North & Middle Andaman District at 8.30 am in a simple function to be held in the Court complex at Mayabunder tomorrow (Feb 10).
Mr. Debi Prosad Dey, District & Session Judge, A&N Islands, Mr. S.N. Chatterjee, Secretary (Law), A&N Administration and Mr. S. Chattopadhyay, Registrar, High Court at Calcutta, Circuit Bench at Port Blair shall also grace the occasion, a communication received here said.

The Rangat Formula : RD celebration of a different kind!

By Debkumar Bhadra, Shore Point, Bambooflat, S Andaman

The 63rd Republic Day celebration at Rangat had been under the cloud of confusion, which later took the shape of “an ego clash” over who would hoist the national flag at the official function at Rangat ground – the Adhyaksh N&M Andamans (Congress candidate) or the Pramukh Rangat (BJP candidate). As per the prevailing practice Pramukh, Rangat Samiti had been hoisting the national flag at the official function at Rangat ground since implementation of PRI system in 1995. But this time, it was speculated the Adhyaksh N&M Andamans would take the honour. The speculation turned out to be true as the Adhyaksh N&M Andamans emerged on the dais and hoisted the flag at the Rangat ground on the appointed day. Thus shattered, the 16 year old honor and privilege bestowed upon the post of Pramukh Rangat Samity.

The dejected BJP functionaries surprisingly kept their nerves under control and watched the proceedings unfurling before their eyes in disdain along with members of the general public from the gallery. They displayed better sensibility and patriotic fervor by not boycotting the flag hoisting ceremony but walked out en-masse soon after the flag was hoisted. They also skipped the evening reception as a mark of protest. Similarly, the party MP and its State President and few of the party dignitaries too joined in the issue and expressed displeasure by not attending the “at home” reception at Raj Nivas.

No doubt the incident had set a bad precedent on the other hand it unmasked the wicked face of our elected representatives. The grudge they keep in their hearts for members from rival groups and the opposition party stood exposed! Amid the clash of individual ego, unfortunately the state became casualty since the incident marred the state function which was hitherto celebrated with pomp and gaiety.

Aggrieved, BJP did whatever they thought could protect the honour of its elected party functionary. Discussed the issue publicly, issued strongly worded letters/press notes etc, even put up a (not so impressive) dharna, shouted slogans at Rangat, but in democracy, numbers decide winners, and it did.

Contrastingly none of the other political parties supported the cause since it was the BJP candidate whose privilege was at stake. The cause could neither garner public support nor ring a bell anywhere outside.

Ironically the authorities which is bound to uphold the interest of the state above individuals, party and politics, as usual remained cool, calm, collected and showed no concern for what is being said by the MP or its party on the streets of Rangat or in the private media since they were privy to the fact that the revised arrangement had the “all important approval” of island administration.

The turn of events thus makes one ponder, is it the way a state function should be conducted? The event indicates the vulnerability that our system faces wherein those in power could arm-twist to get personal agenda take precedence over set norms and get away with it. The incident therefore deserves serious consideration at the highest level and not to be swept under the carpet since interest of the state is of paramount importance.

The situation warrants an “unambiguous” and “defined” protocol for celebration of Republic day, Independence day and all other state functions. So that who-so-ever is designated to hoist the national flag is able to do it without causing a flutter and not accused of encroaching upon others privilege. Else in the coming days more and more “individuals with connections” would seek repeat of the Rangat formula!

Port Blair, Feb 01: The Transport Department with the objective to facilitate general commuters of North & Middle Andaman District has constructed a Modern Bus Terminus at Rangat with all basic amenities. The said bus terminus will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Lt Governor on 4th February, 2012 at 9.45 AM.

Port Blair, Feb 01: The food processing project for promotion of food processing in A & N Islands managed by UNNATI in association with Industries, Agriculture, Industrial training institute, NABARD, A & N state Co-operative Union organized food processing training programme at Diglipur in batches for 62 trainees elected in consultation with PRIs, BDO, CDPO and other local organizations etc from 10-01-2012 and training was concluded on 01-02-2012. Mr. Sanjay Kumar IAS, Assistant Commissioner of Diglipur was chief guest and Mr. Ragavan Manager of NABARD as guest of Honor.

Mr. Janak Rao, Resource person of Industry Department, welcomed the participants and explained about the training and various products which demonstrated to the trainees. He said it is first times that due to the initiative of UNNATI there was well Co-ordinate efforts from all concerned departments and PRIs which make the training programme success. As regard use of the infrastructure of the training centre by the trainees for preparing products till they set up their own units can be considered by the department if interested trainees come forward.

He also thanked UNNATI for providing various facilities to the trainees to make the training programme a success. He said as per guide line issued by the UNNATI for further follow up and support the trainees formed food processing Self Help Group / Committee to provide them a platform to discuss about issues related to food processing besides formation of Sub-Divisional level food processing committee.

The Mr.Neeraj Sharma, Food Technologist of UNNATI explained in detail about the Eni-India ltd/ ONGC supported project and support of extended by NABARD. He pointed out to make self-employment viable, we should impart training to candidates on such self- employment trade/ activities for which raw materials are locally available and keeping this fact in view UNNATI is imparting training in food processing on marine and coconut based products for which raw materials are abundantly available. The income of the islanders can be increased if locally available raw materials are converted into value added products. We can tackle unemployment problem of the islands to a great extent through food processing activities as are doing in many states in mainland. He also said UNNATI is taking up matter with Administration for extending various incentives and concessions available from Govt. of India under food processing sector to islanders. He specially thanked PRIs, BDO, CDPO and local level officials of line departments for their whole hearted support for making the training programme a success and also trainees for brining products in the market immediately after training. The products displayed by the trainees in Subhas Mela are liked by the people and efforts of trainees are appreciable in bring the products in the market so early. He also mentioned there needed to install modern food processing machines in the training center at Diglipur. He said assistance from UNNATI for escort source and trial production will also be available.

Smti. Seema Maji Secretary of Sub-Divisional level food processing committee thanked and appreciated UNNATI for providing quality training with the help of quality trainers which helped them to bring products into the market immediately after training. She also thanked UNNATI for creating various mechanisms to provide after support / escort service to the trainees and other support extended to the trainees for the successful conduct of the training. She also demanded modernizing the food processing centre Diglipur with modern equipments and allowing them to use the infrastructure of training centre to the trainees. She also demanded supply of food processing preservatives, chemicals and equipments on 50% subsidy as decided by the Administration also be made available to them early. She further demanded to set up separate counter for sale of Self Help Group products in Industrial Emporium at Port Blair.

Mr.Sanjay Kumar, IAS, Assistant Commissioner Chief Guest appreciated the joints efforts UNNATI, and line departments for organizing the food processing training at Diglipur. He assured his support for promotion of food processing. The good training imparted need to utilize for setting up units by the trainees with the support food technologist of UNNATI and other resource of line departments. The certificates to 62 trainees were distributed by S/S .Sanjay Kumar and Mr. Ragavan Manager of NABARD guest of Honor Chief Guest also assured support of Administration to promote self employment through food processing.

Mr. Ragavan Manager of NABARD who was guest of Honor explained in details about various NABARD projects including marketing support. He also appreciated the joint efforts of UNNATI, line departments and other organization for conducting training in which there was good participation of trainees from all villages.

Mr. Abdul Rasheed, IPO Incharge in his vote of thanks expressed gratitude to UNNATI, line departments and PRIs for arranging quality training with various support and rendering facilities to the trainees and executing various mechanism for follow up, escort services, trial production and monitoring of the food processing project activities.

N & M Correspondent

Billyground, Jan 31: Under the chairmanship of Pritam Kumar, SHO, PS Billygrounda citizen Committee meeting was held today at 4.15 pm in the conference Hall of the PS Billyground, which was attended by a large number of people. The meeting witnessed thoughtful discussions on various issues of villages under the jurisdiction of PS Billygorund. During the meeting villagers expressed their gratitude towards the SHO of PS Billyground for removing makeshift shops from the ATR, on their request.