Navneet Singh & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Jan 15: Narcondum Island, known for its treacherous terrain and rough seas, witnessed a harrowing incident during the change of guard duty on January 13 2025. As per reports, two police jawan sustained serious injuries during the launch of Gemini boats, underscoring the extreme challenges faced by personnel deployed to this remote volcanic outpost.
As per sources, the incident occurred while transferring men from Narcondum Island to ship via Gemini boat. As the bleeding of injured cop was high, it was decided to shift the injured cops by Helicopter.
This unfortunate episode brings to light the high risks involved in deploying police personnel to Narcondum Island, where rough seas and a lack of proper docking facilities make such operations perilous. The Coast Guard ship stationed nearby must remain at a considerable distance due to the island’s rugged coastline, relying solely on small Gemini boats to transfer men and supplies.
Given the inherent dangers, experts are urging authorities to arrange helicopter drops, for Police Jawans, during change of guards in coordination with the Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC). Utilizing air transport would minimize risks and ensure safer transitions for the personnel assigned to this challenging post.
Additionally, stakeholders have called for the provision of hard posting allowances for police personnel stationed at Narcondum Island, recognizing the physical and psychological toll of working under such extreme conditions.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently showcased its commitment to such missions by executing a daring rescue operation on Narcondum Island. Using exceptional precision, IAF pilots evacuated critically injured personnel, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts in safeguarding those who serve in these remote and high-risk areas.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan. 13: The 2nd Edition of Startup Mahakumbh is scheduled to take place from 4th to 6th April, 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on the theme ‘Startup India@2047- unfolding the Bharat Story’.
The event is designed to celebrate and showcase the achievement of India’s Startup ecosystem. Startup Mahakumbh 2025 will include sessions, exhibitors and capacity-building workshops tailored to foster innovation and entrepreneurship at the grassroots. The platform will also provide a unique opportunity for startup from the State/UT to engage with investors, policymakers and global players, driving inclusive growth and innovation.
Interested Startups have been requested to contact the Directorate of Industries, A&N Administration for further details on any working day between 9 am & 5 pm latest by 16thJanuary, 2025.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 10: Andaman and Nicobar State Conference of Communist Party of India (Marxist) held on 28 – 29 December, 2024 through a resolution has demanded establishment of Legislative Assembly on Puducherry model for Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The resolution, a copy of which has been sent to the Union Home Secretary, Government of India, New Delhi by D. Ayyapan, Secretary, CPI (M) A & N State Organising Committee noted that even after 77 years of Independence, the Central government of the largest democracy in the world has not provided a democratic set up with a Legislative Assembly for the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The State Conference of the CPI (M) observed that even the Pradesh Council which was provided by the Janata Party Government in the year 1979 was abolished by the Congress Government in 1994, thereby once again allowing bureaucracy to reign supreme. After the abolition of the Pradesh Council, there is no state-level democratic body for the whole of the union territory having 3 districts.
The State Conference further observed that in the past, attempts were made by the CPI (M) MPs in the Parliament to establish a Legislative Assembly, but could not succeed due to lack of interest shown by Congress (I) and BJP. The population of these islands is more than five lakhs. The Conference observed that unless and until a Legislative Assembly, on the Puducherry model is provided, problems of the islanders cannot be resolved in a democratic and meaningful manner. The State Conference, therefore, urged upon the Govt. of India to take immediate steps to provide Legislative Assembly for Andaman and Nicobar Islands on the Puducherry model in order to fulfill the aspirations of the islanders.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 08: Andaman and Nicobar State Conference of Communist Party of India (Marxist) held on 28 – 29 December, 2024 through a resolution has opposed the privatization of the power sector in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Conference observed with grave concern and anxiety that the Central Government has decided to privatise the power sector in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Conference noted that at present the power generation, transmission and distribution are handled by the Electricity Department by utilising the services of hundreds of workers, employees and Engineers.
The CPI (M) Conference noted that the BJP-led central government is going ahead with creation of companies for handling the Electricity related works in the islands, which will definitely lead to closure of the Electricity Department. Subsequently, these companies will be handed over to private firms from mainland. The CPI (M) is of the view that with the privatization of power sector, the job of the existing workers, employees and Engineers will be adversely affected. They will no longer be government employees and will become employees of the Companies and subsequently to the employees of private power firms. The Conference noted that this will block any further job opportunity for the local unemployed youth in the Electricity Department. The CPI (M) Conference further noted that privatisation of power sector will lead to sharp increase in the power tariffs which will affect people from all walks of lives and the business community in the islands. The poorer sections in the islands cannot afford the huge electricity bills of the private power firms.
The CPI (M) Andaman & Nicobar State Conference, therefore, urged upon the Government of India to refrain from privatising the power sector in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and allow the present set up of Electricity Department to run the power related works in the islands for the benefit of the islanders as a whole and existing employees and workers in particular.
A copy of the resolution has been submitted to the Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration by D. Ayyappan, Secretary, CPI (M) A & N State Organising Committee.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan. 7:The Andaman & Nicobar Administration will be developing its coastal UT Pavilion in the upcoming National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat. NMHC will serve as an international tourist destination to showcase India’s rich and diverse maritime heritage. NMHC will consolidate all diverse and vibrant artefacts from ancient to modern times and provide access to the public, to spread awareness and to learn about the same and inspire public from maritime heritage. The Pavilions will be designed & themed in relation to the architecture, culture, lifestyle and maritime heritage showcasing the following:
• Coastal archaeological sites along with the port towns.
• Artefacts, Antiquities like sculptures, terracotta figurines, coins, paintings, manuscripts etc. showing the rich maritime traditions.
• Monuments/temples/forts and cave sites along with Sculptures/ inscriptions.
• Communities living in the coast, their culture & traditions.
• Boat building technique along with the legacy of shipbuilding.
• Trade, culture & religious interactions of each State/UT with the foreign nations.
• Tracing the continuity of art & craft like bead making, pottery, textiles, metal work etc.,
• Replicas of the forts, coastline activities, ancient ships and celebrating festivals/regional maritime heritage/ culture/ folklore / food etc.
Accordingly, the general public/voluntary organizations/individuals have been requested to contribute all relevant information/ materials available in this regard. All concerned may intimate about the availability of such information/materials to the Secretary (Art & Culture), Andaman & Nicobar Administration (e-mail ID: artand.culture@and.nic.in) for showcasing the same in the NMHC. Your kind co-operation is solicited in enabling the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to showcase its rich and diverse Maritime Heritage in the Andaman & Nicobar Pavilion at Lothal, Gujarat. All contributions received will be duly acknowledged by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration.