Port Blair, Dec 07: Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands today raised a crucial issue concerning the welfare of 1195 casual mazdoors of PBMC in Parliament (Lok Sabha).

The Member of Parliament highlighted the longstanding predicament faced by nearly 1195 casual mazdoors, who were employed by the Port Blair Municipal Council since 1999 as Daily Rated Mazdoor with Rs. 50 as their daily wage.

Expressing his concern in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Sharma emphasized that although these employees were designated as Casual Employees in batches in 2015,2017, 2020 but their services are yet to be regularized.

Despite their dedicated service for the past 24 years, these individuals continue to work tirelessly for the betterment of society, often facing health hazards due to their daily exposure to garbage.

Mr. Sharma underscored the urgency of the matter, noting that many of these employees, having surpassed the age of 50, are on the brink of retirement. He appealed to the government to regularise their services, acknowledging the critical role played by these workers, especially during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Port Blair, Dec. 6: It is a proud moment for A&N Islands, as for the 1st time, the Para – Athletics team of A&N Islands will be participating in the Khelo India Para Games – 2023 to be held from Dec.10 to 17, 2023 in 7 Sports Disciplines at New Delhi.
Smt. Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, Secretary (Sports), A&N Administration and Shri Aditya Kumar Jha, Director (Sports) today blessed the 4 Athletes namely Smt. M. Bhavani, Smti B. Albakka, Ms. Prachi Toppo and Ms C. Nisheta Anand at Netaji Stadium Sports Complex and wished them good luck for the event. Sports kits were also distributed to the Para Athletes by the Secretary (Sports) and Director (Sports). The team will proceed to Delhi tomorrow (Dec.7), 2023.

Port Blair, Dec 05: In a well appreciated move towards promoting sports, culture and community events, the Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma on 03.12.2023 inaugurated LED Flood Lights installed at Birdline Playground, Prothrapur, Ward Number 23 under MPLADS funds.
With an aim to engage youths of the region in constructive activities like, sports, cultural activities and promotion of sports and cultural activities in the area the Member of Parliament had sanctioned the work for installation of LED Flood Lights at Birdline Playground, Prothrapur, Ward Number 23 under MPLADS funds. During the inauguration he urged people of the area specially youths and children to make maximum use of this facility as a large area around Prothrapur does not have such a huge ground with LED flood Lights facilities.
Large number of residents of the area, including children witnessed the inauguration ceremony during which a cultural event and a cricket match was also organized. Mrs. S Selvi, Chairperson, PBMC, Shri. Tej Bahadur, Chief Engineer, APWD and Smti D Radhika , Ward Councillor, Ward Number 23 was also present during the event.

Port Blair, Dec 04: ANIIDCO in association with the A&N Administration organized a ‘Destination Andaman – Investors Conference’ today at ITC Maurya, New Delhi for the development of tourism projects in A&N Islands. The Investor’s Conference was chaired by Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency (IDA), attended by Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Smt. Nandini Paliwal, IAS, MD, ANIIDCO and other senior Officers of A&N Administration and ANIIDCO.
The Investor’s Conference was organized for obtaining feedback and suggestions from potential investors for making the initiative for the development of tourism projects in A&N Islands a success and also to reach out to the potential investors, so that they bid when the RFPs are floated in the market. The conference was attended by more than 150 delegates from the leading hospitality industry including Taj, Oberoi, ITC, Surrendra Park, Sterling Holidays, Mahindra Holidays, etc.
During the conference, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor highlighted the strategic importance of the A&N Islands and the rapid transformative development being undertaken including setting up of a Transshipment Port in Great Nicobar Island, Cruise Tourism, Development of Marina, Expansion of the existing Helicopter Fleet, Development of the Deep-Sea Port in North Andaman, etc. Hon’ble Lt. Governor highlighted that Andaman Islands are bigger than many Island nations and offer unique potential for development confirming to the sustainable development norms, considering more than 90% of the Island area has green cover.
The Chief Secretary highlighted various initiatives taken by the A&N Administration for improving and strengthening the infrastructure related to connectivity, power, water supply, etc. which will provide impetus to the development of tourism in the Islands. During the conference, presentations were made by the technical consultants on the development of four Islands viz. eco-tourism projects in Long Island, Aves Island, Smith Island and Shaheed Dweep; the development of Megapode Resort and holistic development of 11 Islands/ sites spread across North Andaman, Middle Andaman and South Andaman.
The projects will be implemented on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. The developer is expected to design, build, finance, maintain, and operate the projects under a concession agreement. ANIIDCO shall be the Project Management Agency (PMA) as approved by the IDA and the authorised representative of the A&N Administration to deal with all aspects of the concession agreement. Development parameters such as permissible number of rooms, activities, building and construction standards shall be pre decided by the Govt. considering ecological sensitivity, bio diversity of the Islands and their strategic locations. The Projects will conform to internationally acknowledged benchmarking standards /norms like GRIHA/ LEED/ Green Globe.
The main objective of the projects is to provide world class and sustainable tourism infrastructure with low environmental impact and provision for socio economic involvement of local population. The developer will be responsible to provide a high component of employment to the local youth.

Port Blair, Nov 03: In the journey of life, weddings stand as timeless chapters, weaving together love, commitment, and the promise of a beautiful journey ahead. Tanishq, India’s largest jewellery retail brand from the house of Tata known for its commitment to quality and unparalleled designs, has been an integral part of these cherished narratives. Presenting its revamped ‘Gold Exchange Policy’ catering to the upcoming wedding season, Tanishq reaffirms its commitment to trust, transparency, and unparalleled value for brides in today’s ever-evolving market.
Every passing hour, more than 100 individuals warmly embrace Tanishq’s Exchange community. With over 35 lakh weddings scheduled in the forthcoming months, Tanishq’s ‘Gold Exchange Program’ promises customers the optimal value for their gold assets. This policy offers a gateway to transform old gold into exquisite new designs by Tanishq, perfect for adorning on one’s significant day. Customers can avail 100%* value on old gold purchased from any jeweller in India of 22KT and above. Moreover, amidst prevailing gold rates, brides can effortlessly acquire stunning new designs by simply exchanging their old gold, requiring no additional payment. This seamless process not only offers exquisite new jewellery but also provides a savvy solution to navigate through the current market dynamics.
An offer that awaits you all-year-round, Tanishq’s Exchange Program, crafted with your concerns in mind, unfolding like a treasure trove of possibilities
Tanishq’s commitment extends beyond merely providing jewellery; it intertwines with each bride’s unique journey. Rivaah by Tanishq; a wedding exclusive sub-brand caters to meticulously crafted collections, stands as the preferred choice for brides across India. The bridal trousseau range from Rivaah is skillfully crafted to be a reflection of the rich, timeless traditions that adorn the brides and make them feel cherished on their special day. To cater to the growing demand in the wedding segment, Tanishq caters to a wide range of signature designs across vibrant colour stones, dazzling gold, shining diamonds, exquisite polki, and precious kundan jewellery perfect for every wedding occasion from haldi, mehendi, sangeet, to the most precious Wedding day. As a customer-centric endeavor, Rivaah by Tanishq also launched the ‘Real Brides’ campaign in 2022. This initiative features real brides of India who chose Tanishq to be a part of their extraordinary day. Tailored to forge a deeper customer connection, this bespoke initiative makes a chosen few customers from different walks of life as the face of Tanishq in various cities. The campaign shines a spotlight on Tanishq’s thoughtfully curated designs for brides hailing from different regions across India, honoring them as the esteemed Rivaah Brides. Participants were given the opportunity to walk the ramp, reliving a cherished memory from their special day, this time as a Rivaah Bride.
Exchange of gold not only fosters national recycling over imports but also champions planet- friendly practices by advocating recycling over mining-a sustainable, environmentally conscious choice that echoes Tanishq’s commitment to preserving our planet’s resources.
Speaking on the initiative, Alok Ranjan, Regional Business Manager, East, Tanishq, said, “We are optimistic about the upcoming wedding season this quarter and are expecting a thriving period with robust demand in the wedding jewellery segment. We understand that jewellery is a quintessential part of traditional weddings in India and we see great potential in this category. Rivaah by Tanishq through its extensive assortment of wedding jewellery, caters to brides from across India. We take pride in jewellery from Rivaah by Tanishq being the customer’s preferred choice on the most important day of her life. Customers can now get the best value on their old gold along with exquisite craftsmanship, and a transparent exchange process to gear up for the wedding season.”

Port Blair, Nov 30: The Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, extended his warmest congratulations to the 285 candidates who were presented with Offer of Appointment Letters at the recent ‘Grand Rozgar Mela,’ held at the DBRAIT Auditorium today.

He appreciated the efforts of Andaman and Nicobar Administration under the leadership of Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands for completing the recruitment process of all these posts in a professional and transparent manner.

Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma commended the dedication and hard work demonstrated by each candidate who has successfully navigated the rigorous examination process. Their selection for various posts within the Andaman and Nicobar Administration is a testament to their abilities and perseverance.

In his message to the successful candidates, the Member of Parliament emphasized the significance of this opportunity. He encouraged each individual to utilize their new roles to bring pride and progress to both the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and themselves.

His message highlighted the importance of dedication and integrity, urging the candidates to approach their careers with the utmost honesty and commitment.

As this momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in the careers of these individuals. The Member of Parliament expressed his confidence that the candidates will excel in their respective roles and contribute meaningfully to the betterment of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.