John Wilbert & Vikramaditaya

Port Blair, Sept 06: Air India flights bound for Port Blair from Kolkata and Chennai had to return to their origin cities this morning due to safety concerns caused by poor visibility near the Port Blair runway. The flights, carrying a total of approximately 350 (170 + 180) passengers, were forced to turn back, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated.

The Air India flight from Chennai to Port Blair, with around 170 passengers on board, and the flight from Kolkata to Port Blair, carrying about 180 passengers, faced adverse weather conditions upon their approach to Port Blair Airport. The low visibility caused by bad weather posed a significant safety risk, leading the airline to make the difficult decision to return to Chennai and Kolkata respectively.

Passengers aboard the Chennai-bound flight expressed their discontent, with some initially refusing to disembark from the aircraft. However, after a lengthy discussion with airport officials later in the afternoon, the passengers complied with the airline’s instructions. Many passengers at Chennai alleged mismanagement of Air India at Chennai Airport.

The flights, originally scheduled to land in Port Blair at 07:10 AM and 07:40 AM, had to cancel their scheduled arrivals due to the unfavorable weather conditions. The airline has since rescheduled the flights for tomorrow morning, it is learnt.

 

Port Blair, Sep 05: Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament, celebrated Teachers’ Day with great enthusiasm and gratitude in the presence of the dedicated teachers and enthusiastic students of Durgapur, VKV, and Sita Nagar schools in the Diglipur region.

During this special occasion, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma recognized the remarkable achievement of these schools by presenting them with certificates for achieving a remarkable 100 percent pass rate in the board exams. This acknowledgment highlighted the exceptional commitment of both teachers and students to academic excellence.

In the spirit of Teachers’ Day, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma honored all the teachers present by offering them flowers as a token of appreciation for their tireless efforts in shaping the future of the students.

Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma also took the opportunity to inspire the young minds present. He encouraged every student to plant a tree within their school premises, emphasizing the importance of nurturing and caring for it daily. This initiative aimed at instilling a sense of environmental responsibility and sustainability among the students.

Furthermore, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma emphasized the critical importance of staying away from drugs, urging students to make responsible choices and prioritize their health and well-being.

In his address, he encouraged all students to engage in sports and physical activities to maintain good health and foster a competitive spirit. He stressed the value of being strong and independent, reminding everyone to show respect to their elders and teachers.

 

John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, September 03: A sudden landslide triggered by incessant rainfall wreaked havoc on a residential property in Atarji, Kadamtala, around 2:30 PM on August 3rd, 2023. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, as the family members were not present in the house at the time of the incident.
The landslide, attributed to the area’s softened soil due to continuous rainfall, led to significant structural damage to the home of Mr. Parimal Biswas, a resident of Kadamtala ward number 02, Atarji. This is not the first instance of damage to the Biswas property, as the house had already sustained some harm due to previous landslides.
Upon receiving news of the incident, emergency response teams comprising Forest Department employees promptly arrived on the scene. Forest Guard Mr. Ravi Shanker Poddar, along with a team of forest labourers, took immediate measures to control the situation and assess the damage.
Local residents have expressed their concerns over the recurring landslides in the area and have called upon the Administration to provide compensation to the affected family for the damages incurred.

 

Port Blair, Aug 13: On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, thousands of sisters and mothers from Andaman and Nicobar Islands tied Rakhis to the Hon’ble Member of Parliament in different areas of South Andaman today.
Addressing the gathering the Member of Parliament said that Raksha Bandhan is a beautiful celebration that symbolizes the bond between siblings and the love and respect they have for each other. The festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy throughout India, and it is heartening to see that the people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are keeping this tradition alive. I am grateful to all mothers and sisters who shared the joy of Raksha Bandhan with me this year.

John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, August 28: The Wildlife Division of the Forest Department successfully captured a massive 3.6-metre-long crocodile from Shantipur Nallah of Kadamtala region of Middle Andaman on August 26, 2023. The incident followed the sighting of the crocodile by the Joint Patrolling Team of the Forest Department a few days back.
As per details, responding to the sighting, the Wildlife Division placed a cage in the nallah, aiming to ensure the safety of both the reptile and the community.
On Saturday morning forest department workers and vigilant villagers spotted a crocodile trapped in the cage. The Wildlife Division was immediately notified, and effective protocols were initiated. Yesterday, on August 27, the captured crocodile was relocated to the Chidiyatapu Biological Park, under the guidance of DFO South Andaman.

John Wilbert & Vikramaditya

Port Blair, August 27: An abandoned government quarter in the Junlighat area, constructed by APWD in the heart of Port Blair city long back, has sadly transformed into a refuge for anti-social elements, causing growing concerns among the local residents.
As per details, the property, situated adjacent to the Khaitan Kalyana Mandapam at Junglighat, has remained unused for over 13 years. Originally designated for accommodating doctors and administrative officers, the building gradually fell into disrepair and neglect, resulting in its abandonment.
Now, this once-prominent structure has become a haven for stray animals and a sanctuary for anti-social elements, subjecting nearby residents to considerable inconvenience. The area has witnessed alarming activities, including the consumption of drugs and alcohol, predominantly during the night hours.
One of the residents, who is also a government servant residing in the vicinity, shared his frustration. He alleged that despite lodging multiple complaints with the police and the DC office, the situation hasn’t seen a significant improvement. While the police did conduct regular checks for a brief period after the complaints, the problem resumed shortly afterward, leaving the community in a state of despair.
Mrs. Protima Banerjee, former councillor of ward number 06, expressed the sentiments of the affected residents. She emphasized that repeated complaints have yielded only temporary solutions, and the fundamental issue persists. She advocated for an immediate resolution through the demolition of the abandoned building, which has become a breeding ground for disruptive activities.
Given that the area holds a strategic position within the city and is considered a posh locality, Mrs. Banerjee appealed to the administration to explore meaningful solutions. Whether through rejuvenation or repurposing, the building’s potential can be harnessed for the greater good of the community, providing a much-needed benefit to the residents.

 

John Wilbert &Vikramaditya
Port Blair, August 24: A private resort, Blue Planet Resort, located on Long Island, Middle Andaman experienced a devastating fire that occurred yesterday night. As per details, the resort suffered heavy damages due to the fire, which was reported at around 10:30 pm.
The resort staff noticed thick smoke emerging from one of the rooms, prompting them to inform the local police check post and the Pradhan of Long Islands about the incident. Initially, both the police team and nearby residents collaborated to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby residential houses, which were in close proximity to the resort.
However, due to the absence of a dedicated fire station in Long Islands, the situation became more challenging. Local villagers quickly assembled and rushed to the scene to assist. They tried their best to control the fire by using buckets to throw water from a nearby ring well water source.
Mr. Kamaraj, the Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Long Island told Andaman Sheekha Daily that upon receiving news of the fire, they immediately responded and joined the efforts to control the fire. Despite their best attempts, the fire rapidly consumed the wooden resort structure. While they managed to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby houses, the lack of proper firefighting equipment and expertise hindered their efforts.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, Mr. Kamaraj demanded for a fire station at Long Island to prevent such incidents and requested technical firefighting support from the administration and police department. Although the exact extent of the loss is yet to be determined, sources indicate that all nine air-conditioned huts in the resort were destroyed in the fire.