Sourav Adhikari & Neeraj
Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 08: In a press conference organised today, the Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, openly expressed his concerns on several pressing issues, ranging from governance to public health services, and Land Conversion.
Mr. Ray highlighted his recent experiences with local Administration and officials’ reluctance to respond to parliamentary queries, calling for greater transparency and adherence to official protocols. He shared that despite repeated attempts to raise questions with the administration, they have frequently failed to provide adequate responses, pointing out that responses given often misrepresent or lack clarity, especially on land conversion and authority jurisdiction issues.
A significant part of the press conference centered on the Andaman administration’s approach to essential health services. Mr. Ray cited recent cases from the island’s hospitals, where a lack of specialized care and surgical staff had reportedly led to several preventable fatalities.
He emphasized the urgent need for equipped Intensive Care Units (ICUs), surgical specialists, and adequate emergency facilities to handle complex cases, recounting several incidents where delays or insufficient care had dire consequences for patients.
Discussing land conversion policies, Mr. Ray claimed that recent statements provided to the Parliament were inaccurate, and called for immediate amendments. He pointed out the administration’s inefficiencies in implementing decisions, particularly regarding land-use projects aimed at boosting local employment and development. Highlighting procedural lapses, he expressed concern over delays in approvals which are affecting the region’s development and citizens’ welfare.
Mr. Ray urged the administration to streamline its response mechanisms to effectively address these issues. He called on the judiciary and concerned departments to take action, advocating for an improved healthcare system and accountability within the governance framework to ensure the welfare of Andaman residents.

 

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 08: Mr. Madhu S Nair, CMD, Cochin Shipyard Limited along with his team on visit to A&N Islands for 279th Board Meeting of Cochin Shipyard Limited at Sri Vijaya Puram called on Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency today at Raj Niwas. Delegation apprised the Lt. Governor on the status of expeditious implementation and Operationalization of Cochin Shipyard Ltd. & Andaman & Nicobar Ship Repair Unit (CANSRU) agreement for developing A&N Islands as Regional Ship Building Repair Hub.
The Lt. Governor emphasized the need to expedite the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for modernization of Marine Dockyard and overall ship repair ecosystem in the Islands. The Lt. Governor also urged to constitute emergency repair team to handle urgent short repairs & develop ancillary industries at Sri Vijaya Puram, set up partnerships with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) & competent agencies for specialized repairs at Marine Dockyards.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 07: Mr. M. Venkatesan, the Chairman, National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, currently on visit to A&N Islands, held review meeting on Implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013) in A&N Islands with Chief Secretary (i/c), A&N Administration, Mr. ASPS Raviprakash, IAS and other Senior Officers in the Conference Hall of A&N Secretariat on 7.11.2024.

 

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 06: In the Port User meeting chaired by the Secretary (Shipping) on Oct. 17, 2024, it was informed that non availability of Tug with Port Management Board (PMB) is a matter of concern and needs to be addressed on priority. The Secretary (Shipping) had assured to the Port users that the A&N Administration is committed and will make all out effort to make the Tug M T Andaman of PMB operational. The situation was reviewed and the estimated time for repair and supply of some critical spares was quoted by the CSL as 240 days. However, under the leadership of Secretary (Shipping) and the Department’s ingenious approach made it possible to make the Tug functional within 45 days. Persistent efforts made by PMB and DSS officials in close coordination with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) team and constant persuasion and guidance of the Secretary (Shipping) had reaped results and the Tug M T Andaman which had been non operational since December, 2022 was made operational and subjected to Basin Trials today. During the Basin Trials, the Tug was able to achieve its desired efficiency and Tugging Operations of M V Campbell Bay berthed at Hope Town Jetty was also undertaken, which was witnessed by the Secretary (Shipping) on board the vessel.
The Tug will be subjected to further trials, so as to ensure that any other operational issues could be attended and restored. Thereafter, the Tug M T Andaman will immediately be put into service for Port Operations in Sri Vijaya Puram Port and parallel action to bring the vessel under class will also be initiated. Once, the vessel is brought under class, then the Tug could be made available at any notified Port of A&N Islands for facilitating Port operations.

 

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 05: The prestigious National Sub Junior (Under-15) Chess Championship 2024 is underway in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, featuring an impressive turnout of around 450 participants from across India. Among them is A Chirag Kumar, a Class IX student from Naval Children School (NCS) representing the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The tournament, which spans nine days from November 3 to November 11, will challenge players through 11 rounds in the classical format. Each participant has 90 minutes per game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from the very first move. With a total prize pool of Rs.10 lakh, awards will be presented to the top 20 players in each category, making this one of the most competitive events of the year in the junior chess circuit.

 

Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Nov 04: A major car accident occurred today in the School Line area, where a car fell into a road side major drain, after losing control. According to sources, the driver, an elderly man, fortunately survived the incident with minimal injuries and was promptly taken for medical assistance. However the car was severely damaged. The police arrived at the scene shortly after being notified and took necessary measures to restore traffic.
After the accident, nearby shop owners and locals immediately gathered to assist, and within moments, police and PCR vans reached the site. Only the driver was found inside the vehicle, sources said. Further details are awaited.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 01: Shri Anil Minj, 35 year old Male labourer from Odisha who is currently working in Sri Vijaya Puram was brought to the GBPH Casualty at 8.30 pm on 15/09/2024 with alleged history of fall from 3rd floor of a building onto an exposed iron rod sustaining severe penetrating injury. The patient was brought to casualty with rod in situ, bowels were also out of the injury site. The rod entered from lower back posteriorly and exited from lower abdomen anteriorly. The patient was suspended mid air over the rod.
The patient was immediately taken up for a major life saving surgery (exploratory laparotomy) by the team of Surgeons from the Department of General Surgery (Unit-1), ANIIMS led by Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, Associate Professor, Dr. Aashik, Anaesthetist and Raina Singh, Senior Nursing Officer. It was observed that there were perforations in the small bowel and large bowel, muscles of back as well as the peritoneum. All the perforations were meticulously repaired, bleeding was stopped and the rod was successfully removed without any complications.
Post operatively, the patient was kept in the Surgical ICU and was rigorously monitored. The patient recovered with no complications and started taking oral feeds, surgical site was healthy. The patient has recovered well and was discharged.

Vikramaditya

Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 30: Shri Rakesh Chander Lal, the beloved voice of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is bidding farewell as he steps into retirement after a distinguished career with the Regional News Unit at Akashvani. Known for delivering Pradeshik Samachar each morning, Shri Lal’s voice has resonated across the islands, marking him as a cherished presence in the lives of countless listeners.

Throughout his career of 28 years and seven months, Shri Lal’s dedication to journalism and community service became particularly evident during critical times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the daily broadcasts with three special bulletins for over two and a half months, ensuring vital updates reached the public. Additionally, his live bulletins from the counting centers during the 2019 and 2024 general elections provided reliable, up-to-the-minute coverage.

The Akashvani team and the island community expressed their deepest gratitude to Shri Lal, who has helped elevate the platform’s presence and impact. “You have worked hard to climb this mountain, and now that you’ve reached the top, you finally get to enjoy the view,” read a message from his colleagues. “Congratulations on your retirement and wishing you new vistas.”

From 2010 to 2012 when he was transferred to New Delhi, he also read the national news bulletin from New Delhi.

Shri Lal’s commitment to journalism has left an enduring legacy, and his contributions will be celebrated and remembered by all who tuned in to the Voice of Islands.

 

Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 29: The team of Police Station Pahargaon has once again proved its mettle in the ongoing war against drugs and has booked 05 persons under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, resulting in the recovery a total 1925 grams of illicit Ganja.

On 28^th October 2024, acting on credible information, Pahargaon Police successfully intercepted an illicit Ganja transaction at Jodakilan. The operation, supervised by Insp. Mohd. Elias, SHO PS Pahargaon, led to the arrest of three accused T. Raja Shekhar, Saharul Gazi, and Rana Karmakar. During the raid, Police seized 1,775 grams of illicit Ganja. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act 1985, and the investigation entrusted to SI P. Jeevan.

During the course of the investigation, the accused persons were interrogated, leading to the arrest of two additional individuals, namely S. Raman and Vinith Kumar Murgeshan, with a further recovery of 150 grams of illicit Ganja and the investigation of the case is under progress.

Due to the sustained and sincere efforts of the Police raiding team comprising SI Manish Narayan, HC/1329 Ravi Kumar Limbu, PC/3015 Shiv Kumar, PC/828 Rahul Kr. Mourya, LPC/241 Saheeda Banu, and PC/1437 Lendha Horo and SI P Jeevan, IO of the case, under the leadership of Inpr. Mohd Elias SHO PS Pahargaon, the accused persons 1) Saharul Gazi S/o Mr. Sadek Gazi, 21 yrs, Pvt Labour R/o Near St. Mary School, Bhatu Basti; 2) T. Rajasekhar S/o Mr. R. Thangaraj, 43 yrs, R/o Lillypur, Haddo; 3) Rana Karmakar S/o Mr. Nemai Karmakar, 41 yrs, R/o Near Kali Mandir, Jodakilan; 4) S. Raman S/o Mr. Veerappan Selvam, 31 yrs, R/o Prothrapur; and 5) Vinith Kumar Murgeshan S/o Mr. Murgeshan, 26 yrs, R/o New Pahargaon, were arrested, and a total of 1.925 kg of illicit Ganja was recovered.

The entire raid was conducted under the supervision of Miss Anushtha Kalia, IPS, SDPO (SA), and the overall supervision of Miss Shweta K Sugathan, IPS, SP(D), South Andaman.

The general public is requested to share information pertaining to any crime or other illegal activities to Police at 112, 03192-232100 & 03192-236641. The identity of the informant will be kept secret.