Archives for December 1, 2024

Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec 01: A Continuing Medical Education (CME) program commemorating World AIDS Day 2024 was organized by the Department of Community Medicine, ANIIMS under the theme ‘Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Rights.’ This impactful event aimed to raise awareness about the rights-based approach to health, emphasizing access to equitable HIV/AIDS care and creating a stigma-free society.
The CME was graced by Dr. Suja Antony, Director, ANIIMS & Director of Health Services, Medical Superintendent, GB Pant Hospital along with Program Officers from Directorate of Health Services, Faculty and students of ANIIMS. The panel of speakers represented various specialties, including Community Medicine, Psychiatry, Microbiology, General Medicine, and TB & Chest, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to combating HIV/AIDS.
The event commenced with keynote address by Dr. Arup Saha, Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, who elaborated on this year’s theme. Dr. Subrata Saha, Project Director, ANACS, delivered a comprehensive review of regional initiatives addressing HIV/AIDS in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The next session, led by Dr. Mitesh Behari, Consultant Psychiatrist, focused on the mental health challenges faced by HIV-affected communities. Dr. Snehaa K., Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, shared valuable insights into community-based HIV testing strategies.
Subsequent sessions explored technical aspects such as the latest Antiretroviral Therapy guidelines presented by Dr. Sivaram Appavoo, Consultant in General Medicine, and the complexities of managing HIV and TB co-infection, discussed by Dr. Natraj M., Associate Professor, Department of TB & Chest, ANIIMS. Each session included interactive Q&A discussions, creating an engaging platform for knowledge sharing and practical takeaways.
This year’s theme emphasized empowering individuals to demand their health rights while promoting a stigma-free and equitable healthcare environment. Such programs are pivotal in spreading awareness, encouraging early detection, and destigmatizing HIV/AIDS. By engaging diverse healthcare professionals and students, the CME reinforced the collective responsibility to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec 01: Andaman & Nicobar AIDS Control Society (ANACS) organized a motorbike rally for the observance of World AIDS Day on 1st December 2024. More than 50 bikers from the community, youth and Officials from the Health Department participated in the motorbike rally.
Dr. Anil Agarwal, Secretary (Health) A & N Administration graced the event as Chief Guest and flagged off the motorbike rally. Dr. Suja Antony, Director of Health Services, A & N Administration was present as Guest of Honour. Dr. M.K. Saha, Medical Superintendent, G. B. Pant Hospital, other Senior Medical Officers, Officials and staff of DHS, ANIIMS and ANACS were present for the event.
While addressing the gathering, Dr. Anil Agarwal, Secretary (Health), acknowledged and appreciated the work of ANACS. He also emphasized working towards reducing the drug menace. The programme should focus on HIV awareness especially among the youth and school going children.
The event was organized under the guidance and leadership of Dr. Subrata Saha, Project Director, A & N AIDS Control Society.
Every year since 1998, World AIDS Day is observed with a theme and this year’s theme is ‘Take the Rights Path’. The world can end AIDS, if everyone’s rights are protected. Good health is the right of every individual irrespective of their Gender, community whether they are from a key population, or from other marginalized communities.
With this spirit, the bikers made a visible impact on the society in creating awareness on HIV & AIDS. The motorbike rally was accompanied by an IEC Van with posters and disseminated audio messages throughout the route. IEC materials were also distributed. The rally was flagged off from Andaman Club and followed the route – Cellular Jail, Clock Tower, Bengali Club, Cooperative Bank, Phonyx Bay Power House, Chatham Police Station, Haddo Junction, Delanipur Junction, Prem Nagar Junction, Goalghar, Junglighat, School Line, Dollygunj, Bathu Basti, Patthar Gudda, Austinabad, Carbyns Cove and the rally culminated at Andaman Club.
To observe this day various other activities such as Flash Mob, Folk troupe performances competitions in schools and colleges are being conducted.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec 01: The Andaman & Nicobar State Legal Services Authority (A&NSLSA) organized a Legal Awareness Camp on the topic ‘Child Rights & Persons with Disabilities’ at Govt. Girls Senior Secondary School, Sri Vijaya Puram today. The program witnessed enthusiastic participation from the student community and the school’s teaching staff.
Mr. Bhawani Shanker Sharma, Learned Registrar, Calcutta High Court, Circuit Bench at Port Blair-cum-Member Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar State Legal Services Authority and Mr. Diptendra Nath Mitra, Learned Judge, Family Court, Port Blair graced the occasion. Earlier, Mrs. Roop Ratna, Teacher of Govt. Girls Senior Secondary School welcomed the distinguished guests.
During the camp, several key points were highlighted to raise awareness:
1. Child Rights:
Every child has the right to free and compulsory education under the Right to Education Act, 2009.
Protection of children from abuse and exploitation is guaranteed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, ensures rehabilitation and care for children in need of protection or in conflict with the law.
2. Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs):
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, defines a Person with Benchmark Disability as an individual with not less than 40% of a specified disability.
The Act increased the reservation for Persons with Disabilities in government jobs from 3% to 4%, and in higher education institutions from 3% to 5%.
PwDs are entitled to equal opportunities, accessibility, and inclusive education up to the age of 18 years in special or regular schools.
The dignitaries emphasized the importance of ensuring dignity, respect, and equal opportunities for children and persons with disabilities, fostering an inclusive and equitable society. Mrs. Amudha, teacher of the school, also addressed the participants and elaborated on various legal aspects related to child rights and the rights of persons with disabilities. Her insightful points further enriched the discussions during the awareness camp.
The interactive session encouraged students and teachers to engage in discussions and clarified their doubts regarding these legal provisions.
The program concluded with vote of thanks delivered by Mrs. Archana Singh, Principal, Govt. Girls Senior Secondary School, Sri Vijaya Puram.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec 01: A one-day Training and Awareness Program for Informal Waste Workers was held on 30.11.2024 (Saturday) at Junglighat Community Hall, Ward No. 13, Sri Vijaya Puram, under the project Integration and Social Inclusion of Waste Workers in Sri Vijaya Puram, supported by GIZ India. The initiative is a part of the Cities Combating Plastics Entering the Marine Environment (CCP-ME) project and was implemented by Sycom Projects Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
The training program aimed to enhance the social inclusion and livelihood of informal waste collectors, particularly women workers, by addressing their specific needs. The event was presided over by Mr. Sudeep Rai, Chairperson of Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council (SVPMC), who delivered a keynote address emphasizing the critical role of waste collectors in achieving sustainable waste management and improving urban sanitation. Senior officials from PBMC, Mr. Avinash Kumar Singh, Superintending Engineer, Sanitary Officer, Sr. Sanitary Officer & Junior Engineer (SBM-MIS), were also addressed the gathering, reinforcing the council’s commitment to supporting and integrating informal waste collectors into the formal waste management system.
Mr. Pradeep Dadlani, Director of Sycom Projects Consultants, presented the findings of a needs assessment survey conducted among waste collectors in the city. He highlighted the benefits of good waste management practices and discussed opportunities for improving their livelihood, health, and access to educational facilities for their families. The training covered regulatory frameworks, government schemes, and procedures to access benefits, with a focus on financial literacy. It also highlighted occupational health, safety protocols, and waste segregation practices, along with guidance on forming Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and utilizing local resources like Anganwadis and Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs).
The event witnessed active participation from over 66 Safaimitras, who engaged in group discussions to address challenges related to gender, financial issues, and market linkages. Light refreshments were provided to all attendees. The second session of the training program will be held on Monday, December 2, 2024, at the Prothrapur Community Hall, Ward No. 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This initiative aims to empower waste workers, enhance their quality of life, and promote sustainable waste management practices in Sri Vijaya Puram.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec 01: Nehru Yuva Kendra Rangat in collaboration with Mahatma Gandhi Govt College Mayabunder & Department of Education Mayabunder Zone organized District Level Yuva Utsav programme at Mahatma Gandhi Govt College Auditorium, Mayabunder from 29th to 30th November, 2024.
In 29th November,2024 03 Event was organized in Mahatama Gandhi Govt College Mayabunder i.e Young Writer contest, Photography Contest & Painting contest.
The main function was staged on 30th November,2024 at Mahatma Gandhi Govt College Mayabunder, from 10,00 am onwards. In this day Science Exhibition Group & Individual, Declamation Contest & Cultural programme was organized.
In which Mr. Tarun Kumar Mondal, CJM, North & Middle Andaman was the chief guest while Mr. Dr. B Prabhuram, Principal of MG Govt college Mayabunder & Mr. Prakash Haldar, Deputy Education officer Mayabunder Zone were the guest of honor as well as some Associate professor of Mayabunder college & Pradhan, PRI member of Mayabunder zone were also special guest on this occasion. In this programme total 150 participants were participate in this Yuva Utsav Programme and 450 audience were enjoy all the above events
.In the beginning of the programme Mr. Sukharanjan Biswas, Deputy Director, NYK Rangat welcomed the chief guest, guest of honor, special guest & Participants and brief and motto of the programme.
After that Dr.B.Prabhuram, Principal of MG College Mayabunder brief about the important of Panch Pran.
Mr. Tarun Kumar Mondal,CJM, North & Middle Andaman witnessed the programme as the chief guest. In his speech he urged the youths that this embraces every challenge, every practice sessions, every competition with zeal. Further he said that sometimes losing is not a failure but a valuable lesion that propels them to strive harder .Learn from your teachers, respect your teammates and always participate in the various events with integrity.
Dr. Shashi Kumar Singh, Associate & Dr. N. Laxmi Associate Profess of MG Govt college were coordinate the whole programme
At the end of the programme Dr. N. Laxmi Associate Profess of MG Govt college gave vote of thanks to all the guest.