Archives for January 12, 2025

Port Blair, January 12: Humane Touch, in collaboration with #Bageecha – an initiative of Denis Giles– and Shri Sanjay Meshack, Ex-Councillor, PBMC, successfully organized a ClotheShare program today at Libra Cottage, Bageecha, Brichgunj Chowk, Prothrapur.

The event, which began at 9:00 am, witnessed an enthusiastic response from the beneficiaries, making it a heartwarming occasion. Nearly 70-80 families benefitted from the initiative, as a variety of good-quality used clothes were distributed free. The beneficiaries, many of whom had traveled from nearby areas, expressed their gratitude to the organizers for this thoughtful endeavor.

The atmosphere at the venue was filled with smiles and a sense of community spirit as families left with bags of clothing to help meet their needs. The event not only highlighted the importance of reusing resources but also reinforced the value of compassion and giving back to society.

Humane Touch and Bageecha, along with Shri Sanjay Meshack, have been consistent in their efforts to extend support to underserved communities in the Municipal areas. The ClotheShare initiative has already reached 26 villages and benefited approximately 13,000 people. Today’s event marked another milestone in their journey of making a difference, ensuring that no one goes without proper clothing.

The organizers have called upon the residents of Port Blair and surrounding areas to contribute to this ongoing program by donating used but usable clothes. Those willing to donate can drop off clothes at designated collection points, including Libra Cottage, Bageecha, and Daya Sagar Hall, Prothrapur.

For further details, donors can contact C Khalid, Convener of ClotheShare, at 9476051525, 9531989199 or 9434288006. Together, through collective efforts, this initiative promises to bring smiles to many more faces in the days to come.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 12: In a significant move against drug trafficking, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Mr. Amit Shah, chaired a regional conference on “Drug Trafficking and National Security” in New Delhi on 11/01/25. During the event, he launched the Special Drug Disposal Fortnight, reaffirming the nation’s commitment in eradicating the drug menace.

Marking the beginning of this initiative, the Andaman & Nicobar Police commenced the destruction of the country’s largest-ever haul of seized drugs of approximately 6000 kgs of Methamphetamine with an estimated international price of approximately 36000 crores. The disposal process, supervised by Mr. Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, Director General of Police, A&N Islands, began on 11/01/25 at 1000 hrs under the aegis of a High-Level Drug Disposal Committee chaired by Mrs. Geeta Rani Verma, IGP (L&O/HQ/Intel).

The committee, comprising of Mr. Jitendra Kumar Meena, IPS, SSP (CID) and Mr. Mohd. Irshad Haider, IPS, SP (HQ) and representatives from key agencies such as the A&N Pollution Control Board, Enviro Check (for monitoring emissions), and GB Pant Hospital, initiated the destruction process. This marks the first phase of the systematic disposal process with the drive continuing until the complete disposal of the seized narcotics.

The initiative follows the directives of the Supreme Court of India in Mohanlal vs. Union of India and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Rules (Seizure, Storage, Sampling, and Disposal), 2022.

This drive underscores the unwavering resolve of the Andaman & Nicobar Police in creating a drug-free society.

The entire process was broadcasted live from Eleven different locations in the Country and was attended by Mr. Chandra Bhushan, IAS, Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Islands & Mr. Neeraj Bharti, IAS(Secretary, Home) as well. The destruction process was meticulously recorded on video & conducted in strict compliance with all the legal & procedural requirements.

The Union Home Minister in his address, highlighted the significance of this exercise in safeguarding the future of the Nation, reaffirming the government’s commitment for a “Nasha Mukt Bharat”.

DGP Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sh. H.S. Dhaliwal, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Coast Guard and all other stakeholders for their invaluable support in making this operation and its subsequent disposal a success. This milestone underscores the strength of Islands’s law enforcement framework and its resolve to protect the safety and well-being of its citizens.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 12: Vivekananda Kendra Nagar Palika Vidyalaya, Ranchi Tekri, celebrated Swami Vivekananda Jayanti and National Youth Day with great fervour on January 12, 2025, at the B R Ambedkar Auditorium, Sri Vijaya Puram with a. The event commenced at 10:00 a.m. with an enthusiastic gathering of students, staff, and dignitaries.
Dr. Avijit Roy, Deputy Director (Health), Directorate of Health Services, A & N Administration, was the chief guest of the celebration and Mr. Ashim Kumar Paul, EE-I (Wks), Municipal Council Sri Vijaya Puram was Guest of honour.
Mrs. Sangita Chander, Headmistress, delivered a warm welcome speech, highlighting the significance of Swami Vivekananda’s teachings and their relevance to youth empowerment. The chief guest in his address praised the school for its efforts in nurturing young minds and organizing meaningful activities to celebrate the legacy of Swami Vivekananda. He encouraged the students to follow the great leader’s principles of self-discipline, dedication, and service to the nation.
Susri Varsha Bujone, Secretary VKV Andamans in her speech, appreciated the cultural performances and emphasized the role of education in shaping a progressive and responsible youth. She commended the school staff and students for their creativity and enthusiasm in organizing such a grand celebration.
Prizes were awarded to the winners of various competitions held earlier in connection with Swami Vivekananda Jayanti and Samarth Bharat Parv during the ceremony. Mrs. Usha Kumari, teacher of VKNPV, was felicitated for her lifetime service, earning heartfelt applause from the audience.
The students presented cultural performances on the theme ‘Awakening the Youth’ including dances, mime, song and skit, showcasing Swami Vivekananda’s ideals and emphasizing the importance of youth in nation-building. Sri R Venugopal, Education Officer VKV Andamans, Mrs.. Maya Sarkar, JE IV(Wks) Municipal Council and many other guests, Alumni, SMC & PTA committee members, Parents and Students witnessed the program.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mrs. Aprajita Tripathi, expressing gratitude to the dignitaries, staff, students, and parents for making the event a grand success.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 12: Baakprotima, the only PRGI registered Bengali Little Magazine published from Andaman and Nicobar Islands celebrated its Silver Jubilee in New Delhi on Saturday, the 11th January 2025 through a get together held in the premises of Chittaranjan Bhavan, CR Park. A group of local Bengali writers attended the programme. Mr. Mrinal Maity, a column writer from Purba Medinipur and Smt. Mousumi Roy, Social Activist from Kolkata graced the occasion as Special Guests.
The programme commenced with the inaugural cum welcome speech of Mr. Shailen Saha, local Convenor of the programme as well as a New Delhi based writer. Mr. Anadiranjan Biswas, Editor, Baakprotima delivered the key note address and explained as how Baakprotima touched the 25th year of its publication.
Self-composed poems, short stories, speeches were presented by Pijush Biswas, Rita Biswas Pandey, Bisweshwar Bhattacharya, Subrata Ghosh, Mrinal Maity, Mousumi Roy, Tirthankar Biswas, Nilashish Ghosh Dastidar, Samaresh Pal, Sharbani Ranjan Kundu, Pranji Basak and Ichhamati Mousamputri.
The programme ended with vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Shailen Saha.

Shaheed Dweep, Jan. 12: The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS on visit to Shaheed Dweep, inaugurated improvement of Road from Neil Kendra Bazaar to Laxmanpur, Sunset Point and improvement of road from Jetty to Sitapur today. The Secretary (Fisheries/IP&T/Art & Culture), Smt. Jyoti Kumari, IAS, officers of A&N Administration, Chief Engineer, (i/c), APWD, Shri Tej Bahadur, Pramukh, Panchayat Samiti, Prothrapur, Smt. Champa Das, ZP Member, Shri Dasarath Varma, and Pradhan, Neil Kendra, Smt. Pinkey Das were also present on the occasion.
In his address, the Chief Secretary expressed his happiness that this road improvement work has been completed in a time bound manner by APWD. He said, inauguration of any project brings immense joy among the people of an area, which, he said, indicates that the work given to an agency has been done with full dedication. He further congratulated the APWD and its engineering team for executing the project in a time bound manner despite facing numerous challenges viz. shifting men, material and machines to Shaheed Dweep. He further informed that the roads in Shaheed Dweep which needs further improvement will be taken up by APWD. The Chief Secretary informed the gathering about his first visit to Shaheed Dweep in the year 1997. He said, this Island has witnessed a sea change with good number of hotels coming up and increased tourists inflow. There is no comparison of Shaheed Dweep in terms of development then and now.
Pointing that development is important for a particular place, the Chief Secretary said, development has to be carried out in a cautious and in a balanced manner. He further mentioned that with the increase in tourist flow, the power requirement in Shaheed Dweep in future will increase. The GoI has taken a decision to replace diesel-based power generation by installing Solar Plants and Wind Energy Units in A&N Islands. He also informed the gathering about the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a Government scheme that aims to provide free electricity to households in India. Under the scheme, households will be provided with a subsidy to install solar panels on their roofs. He said that A&N Administration is propagating this scheme and urged the PRIs to motivate the people to avail this scheme.
Earlier, the Chief Engineer, (i/c), APWD, Shri Tej Bahadur said that inauguration of the road has fulfilled the demands of the residents of Shaheed Dweep, the foundation stone for which was laid in the month of January last year.
The Chief Secretary accompanied by the senior officials of A&N Administration visited Zonal Library, Power House, Sitapur Beach, Solar Project site, Laxmanpur Beach. He also held meeting with PRIs & general public and hoteliers.

Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 12: Nehru Yuva Kendra, Sri Vijaya Puram, in collaboration with the Baha’i Office of Public Affairs and SPARSA (an NGO based in Bamboo Flat), organized Srijanostov: Art for a Cause to commemorate National Youth Day and honor the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
The event was graced by Mrs. Priyanka Kumari, Director, Art and Culture, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, as the Chief Guest, and Mr. Vikram Singh, Director, Education and Sports, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, as the Guest of Honour. Both dignitaries were warmly welcomed with bouquets and shawls.
Mr. Dev Kumar Bhadra, Founder of SPARSA, was also present and addressed the gathering. He highlighted the importance of youth empowerment and the role of art in promoting social change. Several other esteemed guests and dignitaries were present to grace the occasion and lend their support to this meaningful event.
The program commenced with a Keynote Address delivered by Mr. Gopal Ch. Biswas from Nehru Yuva Kendra. His speech emphasized the “Dignity of Skill, Dignity of Art, and the Role of Youth in India’s Vision to be Vishwa Guru by 2047.” He inspired the audience to recognize the transformative power of youth and their contributions to national progress.
Srijanostov showcased the artistic talents of 10 prominent artists, each presenting unique paintings on the theme of youth empowerment. Their works captured diverse aspects of creativity, resilience, and the pivotal role of young minds in shaping the nation.
In her address, Chief Guest Mrs. Priyanka Kumari highlighted the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, urging the youth to embody his values and strive for moral and ethical growth. She stressed that developing morality among the youth is essential for a prosperous and inclusive future.
The spokesperson of the Bahai public affairs Mrs Martha A mentioned that this art event was an opportunity to learn how to draw on the power of the arts more effectively so that it can contribute to the upliftment of society. She spoke about how this art event highlighted the potential in youth and their indispensable role in social transformation. The program concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks proposed by Dr.Kavi Malar expressing gratitude to the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, collaborators, artists, and all attendees.
Srijanostov: Art for a Cause successfully brought together art, culture, and youth empowerment, reaffirming the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and fostering a sense of pride and responsibility among the younger generation.