ANDAMAN SHEEKHA

The True Mirror of A & N Islands

UNNATI organizes training programme of Skill Development

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Port Blair, June 24: Unnati organised training programme for 30 inmates of Children Homes of Balika Niketan, Pranab Kanya Sangh and Seva Niketan for their skill development to prepare coconut and marine based products on 23.06.2014 at Unnati’s food processing training centre Dollygunj in association with Social Welfare and Directorate of Industries. Shri. C.Mohammed President Unnati welcomed the guests and participants and said that the object of organizing such training to inmates of Homes is to provide them skill in food processing so that they have their own income by working during holidays and thus they can create a common fund for the benefit and welfare of inmates. The Department may kindly consider to match the fund generated by the children as an encouragement. After completion of training the trainees will be allowed to use the infrastructure of the training centre free of cost besides arranging packing materials to them. Shri. Murli Director of Industries and Social Welfare was chief guest and Smti. Purnima presided over the function.

Smti. Purnima, Pradhan Dollygunj who presided over the function appreciated the initiative of Unnati and advised participants to take full advantage of training programme and acquire required skill in food processing for which there is lot of scope and also they can start food processing activities with very small amount.

Ms. Reeta Devi, Women Welfare Officer also spoke on the occasion. She said such training besides academic qualification would be very useful to the trainees for adopting self employment venture when the children have to leave Home while they complete 18 yrs to earn income and to maintain themselves.

Shri. Murali, Director of Industries and Social Welfare said that first time we are arranging such training programme for inmates of children which would be going to benefit children greatly. He said Unnati is doing good work in the field of food processing and there is good scope for coconut and marine food products due to availability of raw materials in abundance. He also said that the products of inmates prepared can be marketed through Sagarika and other outlets arranged by Unnati. He  further said that lot of facilities are available under National Mission on food processing which can also be availed by the trainees. The training was conducted by resource persons i.e. Shri. Janak, Smti. Ayesha and Nisha of industry department and Unnati.

 

Difficult time to be ‘Alive’ in Andaman::::Aged people face difficult time to prove that they are still alive

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DJ Venkatesh

Diglipur, June 23: Strange rules and regulations, which are continuing since colonial rules are still making life of common man miserable in these Islands. For example those who get financial help under various schemes of Government of India are presently facing difficult time, especially those who are senior citizens.

In remote Islands the old aged persons are facing lots of difficulties in getting their Old Age Pensions & Widow Pensions because they have to submit the attested copies of their life certificates by a Gazetted Officer annually in respective ICDS offices to continue their pension for the year.

Worst hit are people living in remotest islands, like Diglipur. Diglipur is the Northernmost part of Andaman Islands where large number of people are living in the far-flung areas, in the encroachment pockets at a distance more than 50 kilometers from the ICDS office and from any office of Gazetted Officer. Peoples living in these areas are not able to reach Diglipur at the time of emergency situations as there are very lesser means of transport and people have either walk many kilometers or travel by ‘Dinghi’ through creeks and sea.

In view of the above situation, it can be imagined that how an Old Lady or Gentleman living in distance areas of Diglipur suffers in regard to submit Attested Copy of their life certificates in the office of ICDS Diglipur. Moreover, it is reported that many a times Gezetted Officers are not found in his office and these old aged peoples have to wait for hours before their offices merely for want of signature.

It has been reported that earlier the copy of Life Certificates attested by the concerned Pradhan was accepted for continuing of the old age and widow pensions but recently the ICDS office started demanding for attestation by Gezetted Officer.

Considering the seriousness of this issue the Assistant Commissioner of Diglipur, Dr. Vivek Kumar had also requested the Director of Social Welfare to give some relaxation to public in this regard and deploy Gram Sevika/VLW or any staff of ICDS to visit the houses of the old aged persons living in far flung areas and to collect the information of their survival for continuation of Pensions. He had also requested that only attestation of the concerned Pradhans may be allowed in the case of Life Certificates.

Following this making mockery of the situation,  the Directorate of Social Welfare issued a circular which said that “the beneficiaries availing financial assistance of Department of Social welfare are facing difficulties in submission of Life certificate with the signature of Gazetted officer due to non-availability of Gazetted Officers in many of that places in this UT. Therefore , all the Pradhans with the joint signature of Mukhya Sevikas and CDPOs are also hereby authorized to issue life certificate in respect of the persons availing different financial assistances from the different Pension scheme of Old Age, Disability, Widow and Destitute Allowances wherever required.”

Sadly after this order the problems of public have increased manifold instead of decreasing. Earlier public, especially aged people had to run for one signature now they have to run for three signatures.

Earlier when Andaman Sheekha demanded for self attestation, the administration had granted it. But why same rule in not applicable for old people? Why can’t a person declare himself or herself alive?

Why after 65 years of Independence people who are alive and old have to be certified by others that they are still alive? Why like self attestation a self declaration is not enough in this regard? Why the Administration is so insensitive?

 

 

 

A & N Islands Get Its First Heart Care Centre

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Port Blair, June 23: Chakraborty Multispecialty Hospital (CMSH) has formally started its heart care centre, which is now the first Heart Care Centre of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

“The centre is spread over an area of 3000 sqft and has latest mobile catheterization machine along with 5 bedded CCU & 08 bedded post operative room, IABP and FFR machine to objectively quantify the degree of obstruction. It has already performed 80 coronary angiography, 04 angioplasty and over 50 permanent pacemaker implantations,” a release issued by CMSH said here today.

The centre has three visiting cardiologist from Mumbai and Pondicherry to carry out the work, who comes once every 10 days and stays for 02 days in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

“This centre has the requisite infrastructure needed to treat heart attack patients in whom immediate treatment can save heart muscle and life. At present child heart surgeries like closure of holes in heart can also be performed,” the release added.

The CMSH is also planning to start cardio thoracic surgery unit soon along with electrophysiology so that open heart surgery and heart rhythm disturbance patients could be treated right here in Andaman.

“Other than heart treatment this centre also offers interventional radiology for nonsurgical treatment like embolisation and coiling for bleeding from any organ,” the release said.

CMSH is the first hospital in Andaman and Nicobar Island to perform operations for permanent pacemaker implantations in remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

CMSH  has already associated itself with a IT company in Bangaluru for helping it getting NABH ACCREDITION, the highest accrediting body for hospitals of the country, to standardize its facilities at par with mainland. Incidentally less than 250 hospitals of India have this accreditation.

Midas Touch of ANIIDCO!

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A glowing tribute to Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Ltd (ANIIDCO), the business arm of A & N Admn on its 26th Foundation Day, which falls on 28 June 2014.

By Zubair Ahmed

On a Monday morning like today, I was waiting at Goal Ghar junction for an auto. Saw one coming from Haddo side, stopped it and asked the driver to take me to ANIIDCO. Without wasting time, he surged ahead and sped his auto and within a few seconds came to a screeching halt at Junglighat. Puzzled, I looked towards the driver. He smiled pointing his finger towards a shop on the left side of the road. Before I could say anything, he said, “Saab, ANIIDCO aa gaya, yahan beedh kam hai.”

And that was general knowledge for me. In fact, I wanted to go to ANIIDCO ‘corporate’ office next to Raj Niwas, but, the auto driver, a very loyal brand ambassador of ANIIDCO knew very well where to take me. And that is ANIIDCO for majority of the Islanders.

Whatever the objective for which ANIIDCO was founded. “Developing and commercially exploiting the natural resources for the balanced and environment friendly development of the territory on sound business principles.” One thing is for sure, it’s one activity truly reflects its tagline –  Touching the Lives of People!

Nobody in the Islands touch your lives like ANIIDCO do. They even touch the lives of the un-contacted ones! From Diglipur to Campbell Bay, they touch everybody’s life including the Jarawas, Great Andamanese, Onges and may be we aren’t sure – the Sentinalese too!

Its Midas touch, and whoever had the prospect of being touched by ANIIDCO will vouch, how much their lives have changed. Not just the lives of individuals, it drastically changes the lives of the whole family.

ANIIDCO takes special care of the poor illiterate Islanders. They treat everyone with equal care. They know that the gullible Islanders wont be able to pronounce Champagne (Champaag-nee) and many other premium brands. The self-service liquor shops in a couple of places saves the poor people from embarrassment. They can just pick one without uttering a single word.

All the 13 liquor outlets ANIIDCO operates are very close to the main road making it very convenient for the Islanders to locate it easily and remain in touch always.

ANIIDCO knows its priorities quite well. There was huge demand for a petrol pump at Havelock since a decade, but ANIIDCO realized that more than petrol and diesel, the easiest way to touch the lives of people will be through a self-service liquor shop and they put it in their plan for 2012-13 and achieved the target in no time.

The A&N Admn has always helped ANIIDCO achieve its goals. With changing times, the revisions incorporated in the Excise Policy for the Islands reflect the commitment of the Administration in fulfilling the aspirations of all Islanders. In 2008-2009, the Excise Policy prohibited selling or supply of liquor to any Andamanese or Nicobarese or any other Scheduled Tribes.

How can the Excise Policy of 2010-2013 be same? There has to be some progress. Hence, it was changed into “the licensee will not sell or supply liquor to any ‘Aboriginal’ Scheduled Tribes of Andaman andNicobar Islands.

Very conveniently Nicobarese were excluded as they are supposedly mainstreamed and they too need to experience the Midas touch. How can ANIIDCO be unfair to Nicobarese? Although, officially there are no outlets in Nicobar or Kamorta, but they can avail the facilities at the outlets in Port Blair.

The Administration is not bothered whether you get uninterrupted water supply, power supply, internet connection or even fuel. They don’t have any provision to penalize anybody if they fail in delivering the above services. But, that is not the case with liquor. As it touches the lives of the majority, in the Excise Policy 2010-13, one can find the following clause:

“The Licensee (ANIIDCO in this case) in Form “C” shall keep three months stock in his warehouse of all the brands approved for sale in the Union Territory of A&N Islands so that uninterrupted supply to the retail vends/outlets can be maintained throughout the licensing year. In case, the licensee fails to maintain the required stock, penal action will be initiated as deemed fit by the Secretary (Excise), A&N Administration.”

It would be unfair, if ANIIDCO is just judged by its IMFL division. But the link is very strong. It would make more sense if we have a look into many other trades and businesses they are into.

The total turnover of ANIIDCO in 2012-13 was Rs 207 crores and the profit before taxation was Rs 16.16 crore. Now it would be easy to analyze the whole business of ANIIDCO.

In 2012-13 they made an operating profit of Rs 62.86 lakhs from Steel sales. In POL Division, it made a profit of Rs 1.47 crores. In Tourism Division, it earned a profit of Rs 36.50 lakhs. In Milk Division, the books show a loss of Rs 13.59 Lakhs. In Air ticketing, ANIIDCO made a loss of Rs 1.45 Lakhs. In Credit and Finance Division, it made an operating profit of Rs 4.99 Crores.

And now lets have a look into the profits they earned by selling liquor. In 2012-13, they earned an operating profit of Rs. 12 Crores.  The total income through Liquor Sales was Rs 120.46 Crores and the Expenditure was Rs 108.46 Crores.

Out of operating profit of Rs 16 Crores, ANIIDCO’s lion share of profit of Rs 12 Crores came from liquor sales!

Every year, liquor sales is picking up. In 2011, the profit was Rs 8.12 Crores. In 2012, it went up to Rs 11.23 Crores.

And, by touching the lives of people, ANIIDCO could also contribute Rs 54.89 Crores to the Exchequer through Sales Tax, Octroi, Excise Duty, Income Tax and License Fee. What an achievement!

Don’t ask about the poor performance of milk division and air ticketing division. If you raise the issue, both divisions might face the same fate as Vegetable and Fruit Division. Better leave it there or they will act like real “corporate.”

Whenever ANIIDCO touched the lives of the Islanders, many other agencies were also activated to do their bit. In fact the amount spend from LG Relief Fund, and the expenses borne by GB Pant Hospital and many others on treating those touched by ANIIDCO need not be calculated.

Who cares why the suicide rates, road accidents, domestic violence and broken families have increased in the Islands, when the bottom line is quite encouraging.

More than financial benefit, ANIIDCO needs to be recognized by United Nations for their yeomen service in keeping the population growth in check. And also reducing the lifespan of the Islanders and helping many more to get government employment.

Moreover, they are not sitting idle basking in the glow light of fame. ANIIDCO has proposed to create a fund of 3% for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. The amount of Rs 30.55 Lakhs will be used to promote the sports of sailing. Indeed, the need of the hour!

ANIIDCO, in fact had many projects in its kitty – Undersea Cable Project, Tourism Projects, Shipping etcetera.. etcetera.. But, honchos in the Administration felt that these projects wont be in line with their motto of touching the lives of people. Hence, they are asked to do the one best thing they are capable of doing – Sell Liquor!

 

 

Kuldeep requests Prime Minister to allow tsunami hit farmers to retain their land

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Port Blair, June 23:  The PCC chief, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has submitted a letter to the Prime Minister  Mr Narendra Damodardas Modi  with copies to Home Minister and Lt  Governor wherein he has mentioned that in order to bring  normalcy in the life of the Islanders, the UPA Government has  immediately launched various relief and rehabilitation  works/ programmes under the Rajiv Gandhi Rehabilitation Package and  sanctioned Rs. 106 crores as compensation of land through the AN  Administration.

Kuldeep has further stated that, there is a certain section of society, particularly the old inhabitants residing in South Andaman, Little Andaman  and Campbell Bay who are yet to be adequately  compensated for the loss which they have incurred  due to permanent  inundation of sea water in their agriculture land. Most of the people  belonging to OBC Community were brought and settled by the Union  Government under various settlement schemes. Prior to occurrence of  Tsunami these people were earning their livelihood from the land under  their possession. As the land under their possession was not found to be yielding any agricultural produce, the government has sanctioned compensation to the tune of Rs. 9.33 lakhs per hectare of uncultivable /inundated land but the same is payable only if the victim surrender the land.

Kuldeep further said that these poor people who have lost the very source of earning their livelihood need to be treated with sympathy and adequately compensated so that they can rejuvenate their life.

“Government paying compensation in lieu of land tantamount to acquisition of land, where as these poor Tsunami victims need to be compensated in the form of relief and rehabilitation package,” he said.

Kuldeep requested for increased amount per hectare of land as against   the amount of Rs.9.33 lakhs per hectare now being paid and the victims receiving the compensation need to be allowed to retain the land under their possession and not to surrender to the government.

“This will help them to find a recurring source of income by utilizing the land for Fishing/ aquaculture/tourism and water sports activities etc. from the amount of compensation they receive. Moreover, these lands are of no use for the Government,” Kuldeep added.

 

Police department urges public to wear Seat Belt and Helmet

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Port Blair, June 23: The Police Department today urged public to fasten seat belts while travelling in four wheelers and wear helmets while riding two wheelers, and not drive under the influence of liquor.

“Traffic Police is actively checking all roads and violators shall be booked under Motor Vehicle Acts/Rules,” a press release issued by SP South Andaman said here today.

The release added that India has the highest number of road accident fatalities in the world. About 1.38 lakh people were killed in around 5 lakh road accidents in the year 2012. In every such case, the breadwinner has lost his life or has been disabled for life, causing lifelong trauma to the family.

“Most of the road accident fatalities occur due to non-adherence to road safety gears like wearing of seat belt, helmet etc. and due to rash and negligent driving under the influence of alcohol,” the release added.

 

36th foundation day of CIARI, Port Blair celebrated

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Port Blair, June 23: The Central Island Agricultural and Research Institute (CIARI), Port Blair, A & N Islands celebrated its 36th foundation day on 23rd June, 2014 at Conference hall  of Garacharma Research complex. Prof. K. V. Devaraj, Former Vice-chancellor, U.A.S, Bengaluru was the Chief guest & delivered the foundation day lecture. Dr. S. Dam Roy, Director, CIARI presided over the function.

Delivering the foundation day lecture on “Island agriculture and agro -biodiversdity “the Chief Guest, through power point presentation gave a detailed outline of the Highland and Island ecosystem. He exhorted that  in the Island ,horticulture plays a vital role next to agriculture and production of crops such as Mangosteen, Durian,  Dragon Fruit , Rambutan, Grape fruit ,Pomelo & Longhorn have high export potential . He stressed on the need of the hour  on  important sectors viz.genetic improvement of the precious indigenous germplasm  of Andaman and Nicobar Islands such as Nicobari fowl, Nicobari pig, Andaman local and Teresa goats,maximizing fodder availability to improve the milk production ,development of least cost feeding strategies to augment production of livestock & poultry,ethno-veterinary medicine practices,disease control strategies and post harvest processing of livestock and poultry produce. He concluded that if we do not act now in developing suitable sustainable technologies and adopt them to improve the situation, the children of today will be left to face the impoverished world and curse all of us for their miserable condition. He also released publications brought out by the Institute.

He also gave away awards to the scientists, staff and division of the Institute who have contributed towards  the development of the Institute through research, development and extension activities.  Beside felicitation to the retired personnel custodian / progressive farmers , Heads of the Development Deparment   , ZSI  and Pondicherry University  for their cooperation and coordination was also d one.

Welcoming the chief guest, Heads of the Departments, custodian / progressive farmers, press personnel ,  scientists and staff, Dr. S. Dam Roy, Director, C IARI said that the Institute established in the year 1978 has so far made significant contribution towards the development of these islands. He also informed in detail about the future plan of the Institute and emphasized on the very good linkages with the Development Department of A & N Administration. He also mentioned about the stamp of authority given to the institute  under the new name , which has brought lot of responsibilities to cater to the research , development and extension activities to  also the farflung island  i.e. Lakshadweep. The work of the Scientist in TSP , NEH  and Bali Islands in the mode of capacity building and technological Interventions was applauded.

The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Coordinator Shri D. Moitra, Chief Administrative Officer.

 

Result of RSC Football 2014

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Port Blair, June 23: In the ongoing RSC Open Football tournament, being held at JNRM football Stadium, Dairyfarm Eagle  defeated Premnagar Youth Club 4-0.In the second match Afzal -A defeated Chinkara -XI 8-1. Tomorrow (24.06.14) at 1.45pm,Spartan FC will clash with South Point XI in the last league match. Quarter finals will begin on 25th June.

The tournament is organised by RSC Port Blair in association with AN State Sports Council and  Directorate of Education.

Medical Camp for School-Going Children Indian Coast Guard Station Hut Bay

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Port Blair, June 23: Indian Coast Guard Station Hut Bay, under the aegis of Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (Andaman & Nicobar), conducted a medical camp for school-going children at RK Pur Mini Stadium in RK Pur Gram Panchayat, Little Andaman along with a local NGO “BUTTERFLIES” on 20 Jun 14.

This camp is part of series of medical camps undertaken by Indian Coast Guard Station Hut Bay aimed at promoting health in the pediatric age group. During the camp the station doctor addressed the general public and the children and informed them about basic health and hygiene. He also gave information about action to be taken to prevent diseases especially during the rainy seasons. The Station Medical Officer of Indian Coast Guard Station Hut Bay, examined over 200 children. Medicines were prescribed and distributed for the treatment of under nutrition, respiratory infections and enteric parasites. A few patients who needed further care and follow up were referred for specialist opinion to medical centers like GB Pant etc. The camp received full support from the local political leaders, Primary Health Center and local police.

The general public requested that Indian Coast Guard should conduct such camps at least once a quarter. To this request Indian Coast Guard Station Hut Bay, promised full support and also agreed to provide medical help in any emergency. This camp is organized as part of the activities in strengthening ties between the Indian Coast Guard and the local population, as well as the development of local human resources. A small cultural programme was organsied by the children and supporting staff of the NGO Butterflies.

New Secretary of Information and Publicity visits IP Division

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Port Blair, June 23: In his bid to review the functioning of the new Department under him, the Secretary (IP), Mr. S.N. Misra visited the Information & Publicity Division of the Directorate of IP &T today. The Director (IP), In-charge, Mr. V.K. Misra briefed the Secretary on the occasion.

The Secretary, during the visit, mainly stressed on giving a facelift to the building as a whole and maintaining cleanliness in and around. He wanted the Department to create a proper ambience for the staff as well as visitors. Weeding out of the old & obsolete furniture and other items should be done at the earliest for this purpose, he ordered.