Port Blair, Aug 16: The 78th Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour across the Islands on August 15, 2024. The main function was held at the historic Netaji Stadium wherein the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency, Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.) hoisted the National Tricolour and took the salute of the Independence Day Parade. The parade and Guard of Honour comprised of Contingents from A&N Command, A&N Police and school students. The Defence helicopter showered flower petals at Netaji Stadium, the venue of the main function of the Independence Day celebration. The function was attended by the First Lady, A&N Islands, Smt. Chitra Joshi, Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Commander-in-Chief, A&N Command, Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan, AVSM VM, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, DGP, Shri Devesh Chandra Srivastva, IPS, Chairperson, PBMC, Shri. Sudeep Rai Sharma, family members of Ex- Andaman Political Prisoners’ Fraternity Circle, Senior Officers of Defence & Civil Administration, public representatives and general public.
Addressing the Islanders on the occasion, the Lt. Governor extended his best wishes on the 77th anniversary of Independence. He expressed his gratitude to all the fighters of the freedom struggle who made supreme sacrifices for the cause of the motherland and also paid tributes to those heroes who sacrificed their lives in the defense of the country in later years.
The Lt. Governor further said that under the able guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the schemes of the IDA, the development of the Islands has gained new momentum besides many historic and revolutionary projects are important initiatives in the direction of a ‘Viksit Bharat’. The Lt. Governor stated that with more than Rs 1.1 lakh crore investments in infrastructure in the last 6-7 years through IDA projects alone, this strategically important archipelago for the country is fast moving towards becoming a ‘Global Growth and Investment Destination’.
Apart from this, several thousand crores have been invested by the A&N Administration in different projects like Rutland Water Projects, new airport terminal etc. In recent months, the mainstream media has published the detailed reports about our many Revolutionary Government Projects not only at the National but also at the International level, the Lt. Governor remarked.
Informing about the IDA completed projects in A&N Islands, the Lt. Governor informed that despite distance from the mainland and logistical challenges, 15 out of 44 (34 percent) IDA projects have become fully operational. Ambitious projects like CANI Submarine OFC Project, Azad Hind Fauj Bridge on Humphrey Strait etc. have proved to be game changers in the multifaceted development of the Islands, which have also had a significant impact on the ease of living, the Lt. Governor added.
Mentioning about the IDA ongoing projects, the Lt. Governor said that there are 29 IDA projects (66%) which are poised to take the development of the Islands to newer heights, as they are inching towards completion. He said that the aviation sector is witnessing far-reaching changes which will have an unprecedented impact on tourism and the economy of the Islands.
The Lt. Governor said due to the tireless efforts of the A&N Administration for fleet upgradation of helicopters, a large capacity Sikorsky Helicopter having 12 passenger capacity has reached Port Blair and the tials are going on. It will be used in regular flights as soon as the remaining codal formalities are completed. Similarly, as a result of our continuous efforts for international flights, Kuala Lumpur-Port Blair international flight is proposed in the coming November which will bring a paradigm shift in the air connectivity, the Lt. Governor added.
The Lt. Governor further stated that the work is in progress to start Fixed Wing Aircraft services under RCS-UDAN in the next few months by Flybig Charter Operator in Port Blair-Shibpur Sector. Security vetting of the Terminal has been completed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security in Car Nicobar, said the Lt. Governor adding that the construction of Helipads at Sagar Dweep and Hanspuri and successful night landing of Airbus A321 aircraft by Air India are important for expansion of air services in these Islands. Additionally, sea-plane operations from Port Blair to Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep and Long Island sectors in a phased manner, will further strengthen connectivity in these Islands, the Lt. Governor said.
The Lt. Governor informed that under the tourism, hospitality and services sector, Megapode, 4 Islands project, 11-site development, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose National Memorial, eco-friendly resort in PPP mode on Radhanagar Beach of Swaraj Dweep and Heritage Tourism Circuit in Chatham, Viper and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island will be developed, efforts for which are being made by the A&N Administration. To establish A&N Islands as a tourist destination and Premier Scuba Diving Center on the global map, the A&N Administration is moving towards setting three Guinness World Records in the month of November, the Lt. Governor said adding that approval has also been received recently to allow entry of tourists with e-Visa through port.
Informing about the IDA Clearance Projects, the Lt. Governor said that IDA has many such ambitious projects, which are in various stages of process like various Clearances, Consultancy Reports, DPR, EIA etc. As per the direction of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, many visionary projects involving investment of more than Rs. 92,000 crore in important GNI projects like establishment of International Container Transshipment Terminal, Power Plant and Township will be undertaken which will establish A&N Islands as an economic hub and also prove to be a force-multiplier in establishing India’s dominance in the Indo-Pacific Region. The Lt. Governor stated that International Container Transshipment Terminal development project is moving towards its goal with the encouraging response of 11 Expression of Interests, which also includes foreign countries. Apart from GNI, for a new Greenfield Airport in Port Blair too, the Final Site Selection and LiDAR Survey have been completed at both the places and further process is underway, the Lt. Governor said.
Under IDA Intangible, the Lt. Governor stated that apart from these, many projects come under the category of Policy Decisions, whose intangible benefits will prove to be benchmark in the coming times for the all-round development of the Islands, having a multifaceted impact on the economy. Under this category, 30 Islands are exempted from Restricted Area Permit and the facility of Visa-on-Arrival/e-visa has proved important for tourism. To increase exports of fisheries and marine products, the A&N Administration is working towards creating trade links with South-East Asian countries through direct sea and air transport.
The Lt. Governor stated that, along with IDA, the A&N Administration has taken several initiatives for the welfare of the Islanders. He said during the last six months, benefits worth Rs 6 crore were given to 12,281 beneficiaries in the Islands under the PM-Kisan scheme. Under Smart City Mission, 7 projects worth Rs 40 crore viz. 20 e-Buses, 42 KLD capacity Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant, LED street lights, Solid Waste Management, Water ATMs and Smart Toilet have been completed, the Lt. Governor said. The water supply in Port Blair has been improved by the ‘Sub-marine Pipeline Project from Rutland crossing the McPherson Strait to Phongi Balu’ with an investment of Rs 92 crore to provide clean drinking water to the Islanders, the Lt. Govenor said.
Referring to the health sector, the Lt. Governor said that the establishment of Integrated Medical Station in remote areas like Campbell Bay and Diglipur respectively and up gradation of Community Health Center to Sub-District Hospital will ensure ease of living in the Islands. Additionally, ANIIMS/GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair has also received approval to offer DNB courses in Pediatrics and Anesthesia, the Lt. Governor said.
The Lt. Governor further stated that the initiatives like online electricity billing, ANI e-Seva portal, AN Seva 311 Mobile App, Tourist Permit Portal, e-FIR, Online Web Portal for Demarcation and Mutation, Sankalp Portal for Child Care Institutions have played an important role in the direction of e-governance.
Under the shipping sector, the Lt. Governor informed that many initiatives are being taken like development of Deep-water Port in Atlanta Bay of Diglipur, Port Meadows Ship-to-Ship Transshipment and proposal of Ship Construction/Repair Hub for Indo-Pacific region in the Islands will be important in establishing India on the global stage.
The Lt. Governor said that the Police administration of these Islands has earned 1 President’s Medal for Distinguished services and 5 Medals for Meritorious service. South Andaman District has become the First District in the Country whose all Law & Order Establishments are ISO Certified, the Lt. Governor said. In the sports arena, he said that in the 34th National Canoeing Sprint Sub-Junior Championship held in Bhopal, the young players of these Islands have brought glory to the islands by winning 3 silver medals.
Concluding his address, the Lt. Governor extended his heartiest congratulations and best wishes to the marching contingents, school children for participating in the parade. He congratulated all the awardees and hoped that their commitment towards social service will become stronger and stronger. He expressed his gratitude to the Andaman and Nicobar Command for providing assistance and cooperation to the Civil Administration whenever the need arose. The Lt. Governor also appreciated the work being done by the A&N Administration under the leadership of Chief Secretary, DGP and PCCF. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the elected representatives of various parties, other sectors of the society and local bodies, who have given their valuable support to the Administration.
The Lt. Governor assured everyone that under the visionary leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister, he and his Administration are fully committed to the multifaceted development of the Islands, so that #NewAndamans can play their role fully in realizing the dream of a developed India.
Earlier, the Lt. Governor presented President’s Police Medals and Lt. Governor’s Commendation Certificates to the recipients for their outstanding contribution in the field of Sports, Health and Environment.
Archives for August 16, 2024
Massive Candlelight Protest at Port Blair in Solidarity with Kolkata Doctor’s Tragic Incident
Neeraj & Prabhakar Rao
Port Blair, Aug 17: In a powerful display of solidarity and outrage, the ANIIMS Student Council organized a candlelight protest march today, starting from Cellular Jail and concluding at Flag Point. The protest was in response to the horrific rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata, which has sent shockwaves across the nation. The march, which began at 5:30 PM, saw a significant turnout, with students, health workers, parents, civil society members, and the general public joining hands to condemn the brutal incident.
The atmosphere was sober as participants walked shouting slogans like “We want Justice”, holding Placards & candles, a symbol of hope and justice for the victim.
The march aimed to raise awareness about the safety concerns faced by medical professionals and to demand stricter measures to ensure their protection.
Upon reaching Flag Point, the gathering was addressed by Dr. Pragya Sharma, Director of ANIIMS. In her heartfelt speech, she expressed deep sorrow over the incident and emphasized the importance of security for all medical staff. Dr. Sharma stated, “What happened is deeply tragic, and we all stand united in this moment of grief. In our hospital, we are committed to ensuring the safety of all our students and doctors, regardless of gender. Every child and doctor is equally important to us, and we will not tolerate any breach of their security. We are all in this together, and we will do everything in our power to protect our medical community.”
Following Dr. Sharma’s address, Dr. Suja Antony, Director of Health Services, A & N Administration, also spoke to the gathering. She expressed her profound grief and condemned the incident, labeling it as “shameful” and “below humanity.” Dr. Antony voiced her concerns about such incidents occurring in independent India and emphasized the need for collective action. We stand by our fraternity because this is a tragic incident that could happen to any of us tomorrow. We assure you that we will do our utmost to ensure the safety of our doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, and everyone working in hospitals, not only in Port Blair but also in other islands. We also urge the public to show respect to our medical professionals, who serve tirelessly in difficult conditions. This is not just the responsibility of the directors; it is a collective responsibility of the entire community.”
Former Member of Parliament Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma Hoists National Flag in Various Areas of Port Blair on Independence Day
Port Blair, Aug 16: On the auspicious occasion of the 78th Independence Day, Former Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, hoisted the National Flag at multiple locations across Port Blair.
Early in the morning, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma hoisted the Tricolour at Ward No. 7 and Ward No. 4, followed by flag hoisting ceremonies held at Aberdeen Auto Stand and Aberdeen Fruit Market.
During the gatherings at these locations, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma addressed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of Independence Day and reflecting on the immense sacrifices made by our freedom fighters.
He reminded everyone that the hard-earned freedom we enjoy today is the result of the relentless struggle and dedication of those who fought bravely for the nation’s independence. He urged every Islanders to dedicate themselves for service to the Nation.
Chief Secretary Hoists National Flag at Secretariat on 78th Independence Day
Port Blair, Aug 16: The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS hoisted the National Flag on the occasion of 78th Independence Day in the premises of Secretariat on 15.08.2024.
Excitement Peaks as 2nd All India Open FIDE Rated Chess Tournament 2024 Reaches Midway
Port Blair, Aug 16: The 2nd All India Open FIDE Rated Chess Tournament, currently underway in Port Blair at Hotel TSG Grand Dolly Gunj, witnessed an exhilarating start to its second half today with Round 5. Organized by the Andaman Nicobar Chess Association (ANCA) under the aegis of the All-India Chess Federation (AICF) and powered by TCI, the event has drawn around 150 chess players from across India, including participants from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
After four intense rounds, eight players are tied for the lead with a perfect score. In a surprising twist, top seed Mr. Tata Rao, P of Andaman and Mr. Manna, Chiranjit of West Bengal were defeated by Mr. Ganesan K, of Tamil Nadu and Mr. Surya, also of Tamil Nadu, respectively. With the competition heating up, round 5 will see the leaders facing off in what promises to be a decisive clash.
The second half of the tournament was jointly inaugurated by Dr. Omkar Singh, former Director of Health Services, and Mr. Avinash Singh, Superintending Engineer, Port Blair Municipal Council, in the presence of Chief Arbiter IA Dinesh and ANCA officials. The dignitaries made the ceremonial first move on the top boards, extending their best wishes to all participants.
As the tournament progresses, the excitement and competitive spirit continue to build as players from across the nation, including the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, compete for victory. The event will culminate on 18th August with a prize distribution ceremony, where a total cash award of rupee one lakh fifteen thousand will be distributed among the top ten players.
Medical Professionals Hold Candlelight Vigil at Mayabunder to Demand Justice for Kolkata Doctor
Rabindranath Biswas
Mayabunder/Diglipur, Aug 16: A group of around 25 medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and staff gathered at Pokadera Chowk under PS Mayabunder in the evening today and staged a protest against the rape and murder of a woman resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The protest was reportedly in a prayer vigil form for the victim doctor.
According to information, the protesters were seen chanting prayers with candles in their hands and which continued from about 07:30 pm to 08:00 pm tonight at Pokadera Chowk. The event was organized to demand justice for the recent tragic rape and murder of a 2nd-year student of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata.
The protesters shouted slogans: “We want Justice,” to reportedly honor the victim and express their outrage and solidarity, a source said.
Meanwhile, Doctors across the nation intensified their protests over the alleged rape and murder of the trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College.
Independence Day celebration at the premises of Veer Savarkar International Airport
Port Blair, Aug 16: 78th Independence day has been celebrated at Veer Savarkar International Airport with great enthusiasm by all the stakeholders at Airport i.e. Employees of Airports Authority of India, CISF, Airlines and various agencies working at Airport as well as general public.
The entire campus of Airport has been decorated with tri colour lights, Har Ghar Tiranga selfie points made at various points, rangoli competition has been organized, national flag distributed, armed squad demo by CISF, certificate of commendation awarded to best performers and various cultural activities e.g Song, dance, poem etc presented by stakeholder working at airport and passengers. Airport Director Sh Devender Yadav hoisted the national flag on the 100 feet high mast with guard of honour from CISF.
In his address Airport Director conveyed the best wishes for the independence day and remembered the sacrifice of freedom fighter, Airport Director said last year was a golden year for civil aviation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Airports Authority of India invested heavily in strengthening the land and air navigation infrastructure of the islands, promoting air connectivity and developing modern world-class passenger-centric facilities.
Major achievements of the last year are Inauguration and operationalization of New Terminal Building, Operationalization of Aerobridges, Operationalization of DVOR, ILS Navigation Aids, construction of terminal building at Shibpur and Car Nicobar, development of Airport as commercial hot spot with 12 food and beverages outlets, 9 retail outlets, Advertisement and automated car parking system installation.
Airports Authority of India is working in mission mode for the improvement facilities and expansion civil aviation in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Our major upcoming initiatives are commencement of international flight operations, extension of flight operations hours, Operationalization of In-line Baggage Handling System, implementation of Digi Yatra, commencement of inter island flight operations to Shibpur and Car Nicobar Airports.
Airport Director said let us pledge to uphold the values of diversity, integrity and progress for which our ancestors fought long and for which our country is known.
ANTCC Celebrates 78th Independence Day with Great Fervor and Patriotism
Port Blair, Aug 16: The Andaman & Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC), under the direction of its President, Mr. Rangalal Halder, commemorated the 78th Independence Day of India with great reverence and patriotism at Gandhi Bhavan, Port Blair. The occasion was marked by a flag hoisting ceremony, which was gracefully coordinated by AICC Member Mr. K. Ganeshan.
Many esteemed Party leaders gathered to celebrate this significant day, honoring the indomitable spirit of freedom. They paid heartfelt tribute to the sacrifices made by our great leaders and freedom fighters, whose unwavering dedication paved the way for India’s independence.
TSG Charitable Foundation celebrates Independence Day with children of Pranab Kanya Sanga and Seva Niketan
Port Blair, Aug 16: In a jubilant celebration of Independence Day 2024, the TSG Charitable Foundation joined its hands to bring some joy and happiness in the lives of children of Pranab Kanya Sanga and Seva Niketan.
The Chairman of TSG Charitable Foundation Shri. TSG Bhasker distributed Sweet Boxes to all little buds of Pranab Kanya Sanga and Seva Niketan with an aim to bring smiles on their faces. He also spent some time and interacted with the childrens.
During the visit, he was accompanied by Smt. Shakila, Retd. Medical Professional, Shri. R.K Raj, Social Worker, Shri. Saji Varghese, Social Worker, Shri. Sebastian Tirkey, Social Worker and Shri. Ameer Bax, Programme Coordinator, TSG Charitable Foundation.
Power interruption on 17.08.2024 in connection with carrying out of urgent maintenance work of 11 KV Bus Bar at Chatham Power House
Port Blair, Aug 16: It is brought to the notice of General Public/All Govt /All Pvt organizations that power supply will remain suspended and load shedding shall be carried out on rotational basis in Port Blair and South Andaman areas on 17.08.2024 w.e.f 0700 Hrs to 1300 Hrs , in connection with carrying out maintenance work 11KV Bus at Chatham Power House. The following area will be affected-
Date | Area affected | Timing | |
From | To | ||
17.08.2024
(Saturday) |
Haddo, Haddo Wharf, Foreshore Road and upto Civil Aviation Delanipur, Shadipur, South Point, MazaarPahad, Machi Line, RGT Road, Govt. Pres,s JNRM College, Chatham and NSRY areas | 0700
Hrs. |
1300
Hrs. |
The mentioned work will be carried out subject to weather conditions. The above-mentioned schedule is tentative; if the work is completed before the schedule line will be charged accordingly.