Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Feb 24: Here is a good news for sports lovers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Golden Girl of Andaman and Top Cyclist of Nation Miss Deborah has qualified for Olympics.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha the Director of Sports, Mr Dharmendra Kumar has said that in Cycling Deborah has created two National records in 200 meter sprint and in 500 meter time trial. She has also qualified for the Olympics, the Director confirmed.
According to report in recent Asian Track Cycling Championship from entire Asia only Deborah from India has been selected for Olympics.
Regarding performance in National Games, he also said that out of total of 37 teams, with only 4
lakh population Andaman stood in 17th position in the 35th Kerala National Games.
“Island team has secured 6 gold medals, 4 silver medals and 3 bronze medals and team has achieved medals in all the disciplines that the team has participated in,” he added.
Further he also appreciated Miss Regina Kiro and said that she is one of the most valuable athlete from Andaman as she has brought total 5 gold medals, 3 in a team and 2 individually, she also won bronze
medals, he added.
But the Director expressed disappointment with the Swimming unit of Department of Sports. “There were 40 gold medals in swimming, but it’s a disgrace on Directorate of Sports that we could not send a single player to take part in Swimming, even after having a swimming coach and this is a matter of concern,” Mr Dharmendra added.

Vikramaditya

Port Blair, Feb 23: Launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission and specific instructions of the Lt. Governor to ensure proper upkeep of public facilities notwithstanding, the facilities at tourist hotspot, Chidiyatapu, are lying locked and are in a state of total neglect.

Reports say of the changing room for gents at Chidiyatapu Beach have been kept locked by authorities for reasons unknown, while the ones for ladies are in shambles. The changing room of ladies do not have latch.

The fresh water showers in both ladies and gents area are reportedly sans water supply and users are forced to acquire water from the adjacent stinking lavatory’s tank.

“Despite the fact that Chidiyatapu is one of the most favourite destinations, the official laxity towards proper maintenance of public facilities has drawn the ire of tourists of late. Hundreds throng the venue daily, take a dip in the tranquil blue waters. But to their dismay, they find the public bathrooms and lavatories either locked or in a bad shape. The situation is particularly become a major problem for ladies, who unlike their male counterparts, cannot opt for the nearby bushes,” said an irate tourist from Kolkata.

“The facilities for gents are always kept locked as if the authority concerned is comfortable with people opting for the ‘open loo’ in the pristine tourist destination. The shower area of both gents and ladies are water-less facility. Scores of tourists from various parts of the country carry bad names of these islands back home when are forced to draw water from the reeking lavatory nearby. The government agency responsible for maintenance of the facilities should immediately intervene and take necessary steps to set things in order at Chidiyatapu,” said another.

There is a water head tank near the changing room of Chidiyatapu but there is no one to fill the tank, it seems.

For implementation of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the top brass of the administration should immediately verify the reports of public facilities sporting poor hygiene at Chidiyatapu. Officials found guilty of dereliction of duty should be taken to task and strict instructions should be issued for proper upkeep of toilet facilities at the tourist spot.

 

Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Feb 19: As per Section 4(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 the minimum age limit for getting driving license for Motorcycle with Engine Capacity not exceeding 50cc is Sixteen years.
Since, by the lapse of time the said motorcycle with Engine capacity 50cc is not in existence in these Isles or elsewhere. But, interestingly the license being issued by STA to a person at the age of sixteen years has no mention about the limitation on Engine Capacity i.e. 50cc.
Therefore, taking undue advantage of this glaring loophole in the licensing system of the STA the teenagers (below eighteen years) of these Isles very feasibly get the Driving license for their motorcycle (without gear) with Engine capacity more than 100cc.
As per the action taken report of Transport Department in respect to LG Grievance ID 3018 dated 07.11.2013 states that “Transport Department is issuing driving license through Sarathi Software developed by National Information Centre. This Software does not specify the class of vehicle as Motorcycle without Gear upto50cc. The software is approved by Ministry of Road Transport and Highway and is being used in almost all regional Transport Offices of Central and State Government.”
Consequently, these teenagers in most occasions indulge in violation and breach of the statutory traffic rules and road safety norms by jumping signals, over-speeding, rash, and negligent driving, performing stunts, using cell phones while driving etc, thus making the road unsafe for other motorist and road users. At this juncture, it is imperative on the part of the concerned authority of STA to temporally suspend issuing of license to teenagers with age less than eighteen years until the section 4(1) of MV Act, 1988 is deleted or repealed through suitable enactment. So, that the lives of the teenagers could be safeguarded and protected from their own reckless acts.
Meanwhile talking to Andaman Sheekha Mr. Arun Gupta, the Deputy Director Transport today said that the Department can only give license which is valid for Moped without gear. This is mentioned in the license as well and if the police thinks that teenagers are driving Moped with excess engine power then police should impose challan.
When Contacted the Deputy Superintendent of traffic, Mr M. Umar said that the Traffic Police is already imposing challan on teenagers driving Moped with high engine power. “I request parents to give only mopeds of about 50 CC to their teenage children and not those Mopeds which are of 100 and 120 cc and more.
Meanwhile by today evening the Police Department issued an advisory for all parents to not to allow their wards below 18 years of age to ride/ drive such vehicles.

Sarthak Kanjilal

Port Blair, Feb 16: The Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, Mr Nitin Jairam Gadkari today promised that work for construction of Bridge or undersea tunnel between Chatham and Bambooflat will start within eight months. He also promised that the work for construction of bridges at Middle Strait and Humphrey Strait to begin within six months.

Addressing a massive public rally at Bambooflat this evening the Minister said that it is not sure whether a bridge or a undersea tunnel will be constructed between Chatham and Bambooflat but in any case the work will start within eight months.

“The ground work for construction of bridge or undersea tunnel has already started. Within three months the study will be completed and with next three months tender process will be completed and I promise that within next two months the work will start,” Gadkari promised.

Regarding two bridges at ATR, the Minister said that work for construction of the Middle Strait Bridge, which will be of 277 mtrs and Humphrey Strait bridges, which will be 263 mtrs, will begin within next six months.

Regarding Andaman Trunk Road the Minister said that in first phase the first part of the ATR, which is from Chidiyatapu to Jirkatang, total 60 km will be made double lane and this work will start within next four months.

Regarding induction of ships for Andaman and Nicobar Islands the Minister said that ship building works for five ships have been halted in various private shipyards for various reasons but now the work has been given to Cochin shipyard.

“Cochin Shipyard has promised to complete the task of building five ships within three years,” the Minister added.

Out of these five ships one ship will be of 400 pax capacity, two ships will be of 1200 pax capacity and rest two ships will be of 500 pax capacity. He said that the Ministry is trying to get this work done within two years.

Referring to the economic growth of the islands, the Union Minister for Road Transport said, Palm Oil cultivation in the islands can be taken up in a big way since the climatic conditions of Andamans matches with that of Singapore and Malaysia from where India has been importing Palm Oil.

In the matter of Environment Protection Act, Gadkari said that the BJP Government is equally concerned about development and environment. He said that the Environment Protection should be in compliance with developmental objectives.

Gadkari also stressed on exploring non conventional energy sources for the islands. He also looked as Bamboo based industries to have a good scope in the islands. Concluding his address, the Union Minister said; what the country could not achieve in past 50 years would be achieved in 5 years of the BJP Govt.

Welcoming the Union Minister, the State President BJP, Shri Vishal Jolly apprised the Minister about the demands of the people of the islands which, among others, included, construction of bridge connecting Chatham with Bambooflat, giving back the land of the Tsunami affected farmers, releasing the dues of the employees of the Andaman Timber Industry(ATI) Bambooflat, developing tourist spots in South Andaman and immediate construction of road connecting North Bay and improving road to Shoal Bay -19 etc.

Among the others who addressed the gathering were the Member of Parliament Shri Bishnu Pada Ray who stressed on opening up more destinations for tourists. The MP also had a mention about the new Health Insurance Policy for the islanders.

Port Blair, Feb 11: The Lt Governor, Lt Gen A. K. Singh (Retd) has conveyed his felicitations to the sportspersons from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, who have won medals in their respective events in the 35^th National Games in Kerala. In a message, the Lt. Governor has commended the performance of the players of Andaman & Nicobar Contingent who have won medals in Rowing, Canoeing and Kayaking and Cycling events.

 

“My felicitations and admiration for our sportspersons for this excellent performance. Proud of you,” said Lt. Governor in a message sent to Andaman Sheekha.

The players from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have won 04 Gold Medals, 02 Silver Medals and 01 Bronze Medal as on 11.02.2015.

Ms. Reena Kumari opened the account of the National Games on 05.02.2015 with a Silver medal in the 500 Mtr Single Scull Rowing events. Ms. Deborah struck gold in the 500 mtrs elite women time trial cycling competition with a National Games record of 37.68 seconds. Ms. Regina Kiro won a Gold medal in the 500 Mtr K1 and also a Silver medal in 1000 Mtr K1 in the individual events. Alongwith Ms. Sandhya Kispota, she won 02 Gold medals in 1000 Mtr K2, 500 Mtr K2 team events. Ms. Sandhya Kispota separately won a Bronze medal in 1000 Mtr K4 team event with Ms. Mamta Tirkey, Ms. Neelam Minj and Ms. Bishakhi Sarkar.

Such performances and the medals tally speak volumes of the talent and efforts put in by the sportspersons of our Islands. Considering all the difficulties and challenges as well as the remote location of the Islands, they stand out when compared with some of the bigger States.

Staff Correspondent

Port Blair, Feb 10: The Mathura Village often faces water scarcity leaving public totally harassed and helpless. The Jinga Nallah Dam is the main source of water for entire region of Mathura, under Ferrargunj Tehsil. Thus residents of the area are dependent on the said dam for their water needs.

But it has been reported by the residents of the area that due to no desilting work in the Dam since last several years the entire area of the Dam is accumulated with silts thus day-by-day reducing its water storage capacity.

General public and several organizations in past have approached the RCD, Wimberlygunj for carrying out desilting work in the Dam but till now no one paid any heed.

“We have urged the Administration to take concrete or firm measures to dredge out the accumulated silts from the Jinga Nallah Dam in order to increase the water storing capacity of the Dam, so as to feasibly meet the drinking water demands of Mathura Village but for reasons unknown it is not done yet,” said Ajish Prasad, a Member of All India Crime Reforms Organisation.

When Andaman Sheekha team visited the Jinga Nallah dam it was found that the Dam is full of silt, which has certainly reduced the capacity of the dam.

Now the villagers of the area urge the Lt. Governor to intervene into this matter and initiate action in the legitimate interest of the residents of Mathura Village so that before summer the desilting work is completed.

DJ Venkatesh

Diglipur, Feb 06: Seven passengers inside a private jeep today narrowly escaped death when a Mahindra jeep, they were travelling in, skided off the Andaman Trunk Road and entered inside road side jungle.

According to reports the accident took place at Mohanpur area, under Kalipur Range, when the driver of the jeep lost control over the speeding jeep.

All seven people inside the jeep (bearing registration no. AN-01, J-8618), including the driver sustained minor injuries, who were later rushed to nearby hospital, from where they were discharged after first aid. The PS Kalighat Police is investigating the matter further.