Sri Vijaya Puram, Mar 02: It is a moment of pride for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as young chess talent AIM Roshan Senthil Kumar has opened his classical international chess rating with an impressive FIDE Rating of 1687, as per the FIDE March 2025 Rating list published by the World Chess Federation yesterday.
AIM Roshan recently participated in the Star Chess Foundation 1st International Open FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2025, held in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, from 8th to 11th February. He delivered an outstanding performance, securing a performance rating of 1664 by defeating five rated players. His remarkable gameplay earned him recognition as the second-best unrated player of the tournament, along with a cash prize of ₹5,000 and a certificate.
The Andaman Nicobar Chess Association (ANCA) congratulates AIM Roshan Senthil Kumar on this milestone and extends its best wishes for his future tournaments.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 28: In a recent visit to Little Andaman by The AICC Joint Secretary & Incharge(A & N Islands), Dr. Palak Verma, along with ANTCC President Mr. Rangalal Halder, Mahila Congress State President Mrs. Zubaida Begum, and Youth Leader Mr. Abhi Bhusan Ghosh, to strengthen grassroots connections and address local concerns.
During the visit, the leadership held a series of meetings across various panchayats, including Hutbay Panchayat, Netaji Nagar Panchayat, Harminder Bay Panchayat (Tribal Area), R.K Pur Panchayat, V.K Pur Panchayat, and Rabindra Nagar Panchayat. The initiative aimed at directly engaging with grassroots workers, understanding their challenges, and formulating effective solutions to improve their well-being.
The Meetings primarily focused on empowering local communities, encouraged solidarity with the Congress Party, and mobilized support to fight for the rights and development that the people of Little Andaman deserve. The leadership assured villagers that their voices would be heard and that the Congress Party remains committed to advocating for their needs at every level.
The entire program was meticulously coordinated and organized by Youth Leader Mr. Abhi Bhusan Ghosh, ensured smooth execution and impactful interactions with the local populace.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 27: On February 23rd, 2025, the non-profitable organization Prophetess Priya Ministries commemorated World Pulses Day by distributing pulses and by felicitating farmers at Panchayat Hall, Office of Gram Panchayat, Niel Kendra, Shaheed Dweep. A total of 81 heads of families & 5 elder farmers attended the program.
The goal of this organization is to positively impact lives, uplift the underprivileged, provide essential needs, and enhance overall well-being. Their motto is to serve the people of our Islands with unwavering dedication and compassion.
The purpose behind organizing this awareness campaign was to highlight the importance of pulses and their nutritional benefits, especially for those who struggle to afford or access meat for protein. And as once Shaheed Dweep was a great hub of farming various vegetables, fruits, pulses and grains, today there is a decline in farming. It also aimed to honor the hard work of the farmers of Shaheed Dweep, whose efforts in the scorching heat has made our lives sustainable.
The pulse distribution program was initiated by the founder & patron of the non – profitable organization Smti. Priya Basu. A total of 85 needful people received the free pulses and grains.
The audience was briefed by Chief Guest Dr. Lt. Col. Nirmal Kumar Bajpayee, Chief Medical Officer I/c of P.H.C. Shaheed Dweep, on the benefits of eating pulses and their positive effects on health. He also promoted good eating habits and encouraged adopting a healthy lifestyle.
In addition, Smti. Pinky Das, Pradhan, Shaheed Dweep, also appreciated the works done by the non- profitable organization, and was grateful for their work at the place. Meanwhile also emphasizing on a major amount of services that all non – profitable organizations can render in much required rural areas.
The event was graced by the Chief Guest Dr. Lt. Col. Shri Nirmal Kumar Bajpayee (C.M.O I/c PHC Shaheed Dweep) and other distinguished guests including Smti. Pinky Das (Pradhan, Shaheed Dweep) and Shri Bimal Kumar Roy (Former Pradhan, Former Zilla Parishad member and National Youth Awardee). Along with them other dignitaries, current Zilla Parishad member, S.H.O police station Shaheed Dweep, Head of Agriculture, Head of Forest, Junior Engineer APWD Shaheed Dweep and 5 elderly farmers were present.
All dignitaries present at the event were honored by the Founder & Patron, Smti. Priya Basu, Smti. Abha John (General Secretary), Smti. M.G. Valleria (Joint Secretary), and Shri. V. Vishal Rao (Treasurer).
Smti. Valleria delivered the warm welcome speech, and the Founder & Patron shared her thoughts on the event, expressing heartfelt gratitude to all the guests, the individuals who contributed to the event’s success, and the families who attended.
After the ceremony, a quick photoshoot was held with the gleaming happy benefactors with the pulses that were distributed, and buses were provided by for dropping them back by the state transport service by request of the Pradhan, Shaheed Dweep.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 25: The 59th Annual General Body Meeting of Andaman & Nicobar State Cooperative Bank was held on 25.02.2025 at its Conference Hall. Shri. K Subramani, Vice- Chairman, A&NSt.CB Ltd chaired the meeting. The Board of Directors, Members of PACS (Primary Agriculture Credit Societies) and various affiliated Societies and Bank officials were also present.

At the outset, K Murugan, Managing Director welcomed the delegates wholeheartedly and expressed gratitude to the dignitaries present on the dais. He also expressed gratitude to the representatives of various cooperative societies for attending the meet.

Shri. K Subramani, Vice-Chairman, A&NSt.CB Ltd in his key note address on Banking & other development, social & Govt. Policies and schemes presented the current financial parameters of the bank with respect to its financial position. He informed the General Body that there has been substantial progress and highlighted the various performance parameters of the bank before the General Body.

In his keynote address, Shri. K Subramani, Vice-Chairman of the bank expressed his gratitude to all members of PACS, Board of Directors, Bank Staff and specially the public and Administration for their support and cooperation to Cooperative Bank. The Vice-Chairman further urged all the members present on the occasion to popularise the schemes of the bank and also the schemes rendered by Govt. Of India. He stressed that the Bank has chalked out a various developmental activities including new schemes of bank.

Further, the Managing Director took up the Agenda wise points of the General Body Meeting wherein detailed discussions were held and the General Body approved and adopted the necessary resolutions.

The delegate from PACS and various other Cooperative societies including representatives of Tribal Cooperative Societies have suggested various measures for improvement like awareness programme for cashless transaction, opening of more Branches, ATMs, etc.

The meeting culminated with the vote of thanks proposed by Shri. Raghubhir Singh, General Manager (Dev.) i/c.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb. 24: The Directorate of Industries, A&N Administration organized a Startup Pitching 2025 on Feb. 20 in the Conference Hall of Directorate of Industries. This event consisted of the Pitching Session on Innovative Ideas as well as Pitching Competition on Logo, Slogans and Promotional Videos.
The Pitching 2025 saw an overwhelming response from the students of Higher Education Institutes such as JNRM, TGCE, ITI, DBRAIT and Pondicherry University, Andaman Campus as well as entrepreneurs and youths of the Islands. This event brought together some of the most promising entrepreneurs and students from Higher Education Institutes showcasing their groundbreaking ideas and entrepreneurial spirit.
The winners are Ankush Das, B.Sc., 3rd Year from JNRM won the first position for his idea on ‘Seaweed Manufacturing’. The second position was secured by Ayan Das, BCA, 3rd Year and Ayush Singh, Botany, 3rd Year from JNRM for their idea on ‘Plant Selling Platform’ followed by G.S. Nikhil, MBA, 1st year from Pondicherry University, Andaman Campus for his idea on ‘Using Plastics to make bricks’.
The consolation prizes for the Startup Pitching was won by Baisaki Das and Yasodha, 3rd Year Diploma in Computer Engineering from DBRAIT for their innovative idea for APP namely ‘Mamma’s Magic and S.R. Shraddha, Stenographer 1st Year from ITI, Dollygunj for her idea on ‘Sustainable Microalgae Superfood Revolution’.
Under the best logo category, for the theme Sagarika Emporium, Souvik kr. Barua, an Entrepreneur was selected while C.H. Vinod, Entrepreneur was selected for the best promotional. Best Slogan for Sagarika Emporium was won by Vicky Bahadur, Entrepreneur.

Billyground, Feb 21: On February 21, 2025, the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) of Mayabunder and Rangat Blocks staged a protest and road blockade at Billiground Bazar in response to the indifferent attitude of the A&N Administration toward their demands. The protest was led by SmtiShibaniMazumder, Pramukh of Panchayat Samiti Mayabunder, and Smti Sita Majhi, Pramukh of Panchayat Samiti Rangat, along with PRIs, members of Cooperative Societies and the general public.
The key demands of the protest includedRestoration of the Work Order System to Cooperative Societies at the Gram Panchayat and Block Panchayat levels; Immediate transfer of Md. Yusuf (AE-PRIs) from the Engineering Wing of Mayabunder. (Demand Fulfilled); Separation of administrative roles, ensuring that the same person does not hold both the posts of Deputy Commissioner and Secretary RD/PRIs; Allocation of quarry products to government departments, local bodies, and private parties.
During the protest, a joint petition letter was signed and addressed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Minister of Panchayati Raj Rajiv ji. The petition highlighted pressing issues concerning governance and rural development in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Upon the arrival of the Tehsildar of Mayabunder Tehsil, the Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Swadesh Nagar explained the grievances and urged for the presence of the Deputy Commissioner of North & Middle Andaman District. However, in the absence of the Deputy Commissioner, the Assistant Commissioner of Headquarter Mayabunder assured his presence to address the demands.
When the Assistant Commissioner arrived, he requested the PRIs to elaborate on their concerns. The PRIs expressed their dissatisfaction with the administration’s approach, claiming that their actions contradicted key central government initiatives such as:
• BerozgarMukt Bharat (Unemployment-Free India)
• Viksit Bharat Sankalp (Resolution for a Developed India)
• Vocal for Local (Promotion of Local Enterprises)
The PRIs strongly criticized the administration for policies that negatively impact rural livelihoods.
The Assistant Commissioner stated that only the concerned PRIs/RD authorities could decide on the work-order issue for cooperative societies. However, he assured that he would reconvey the demand to the higher authorities.
He also mentioned that other demands would be addressed soon but did not provide any written confirmation, which led to further dissatisfaction among the protesters.
As a result, the protesters declared the continuation of the Pen-Down Strike and Non-Cooperation Movement. Additionally, they planned to escalate the protest in Sri Vijayapuram on March 9, 2025, emphasizing their discontent with the Administrator’s inaction in addressing the rural crisis.
Despite the road blockade, the protesters ensured that ambulances, patients, and students were allowed passage to minimize public hardship. The blockade was immediately removed after the conclusion of the protest.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 20: The District Administration of South Andaman, in its steadfast commitment to reclaim and protect public assets, has escalated its strategically coordinated encroachment eviction drive. This concerted effort is focused on restoring government land to its rightful use, underscoring the Administration’s unwavering dedication to upholding the rule of law and preserving the sanctity of public spaces.
In Garacharma village, the revenue team successfully dismantled an unauthorized encroachment in the form of fencing on government land, and an area of 200 sq. meters of revenue land was successfully restored to govt. khaata.
In addition, an illegal attempt to construct a structure using GI pipes on government revenue land was identified and addressed during the early hours. The revenue staff swiftly removed the GI pipes, restoring 100 square meters of government land in Sri Vijaya Puram Tehsil to its original condition.
The Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman has issued a stern reminder to the public, reaffirming the District Administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards encroachments on government land. Citizens are strongly urged to refrain from engaging in such unlawful activities and to respect the demarcations of government property. The Administration calls for the full cooperation of all residents in maintaining the integrity of public spaces. This rigorous and ongoing campaign will continue unabated in the coming days, with further operations planned to target and eliminate encroachments across other affected areas within the district. The Administration remains resolute in its mission to safeguard public lands and ensure that they are used for the benefit of the community at large.
Members of the public who wish to report encroachments or seek further information are encouraged to contact the District Control Room via phone at 03192-240127 / 238881 / 1070 or through WhatsApp at 9531888844. The Administration assures that the identities of those providing information will be kept in strict confidence to ensure their security and protection.