Port Blair, Oct 10: Indiatourism Port Blair celebrating Paryatan Parv 2019 “Dekho Apna Desh” on and from 02nd – 13th October 2019, speaking on the occasion, India is full of diversity and it makes India different and unique in comparison to rest of the world. As per appeal of our Hon’ble Prime Minister everybody should visit 15 places of India by 2022 and hence the Ministry of Tourism is promoting tourist destinations of India among the locals, young generations, tourists etc. Students of various schools, institutions, colleges are motivated through diverse activities like Quiz Competition, Seat & Draw, Poster making on the theme “Dekho Apna Desh”. On 10th Oct, 2019 at the premises of Vivekananda Kendriya Vidyalaya, in Port Blair, a Seat and Draw competition with 110 students was organized and a Quiz Competition with 70 students on “Dekho Apna Desh” was organized with the support of their extremely supportive Management.
Gram Sabha Meeting held in Tushnabad Gram Panchayat emphasis on Rural Prosperity through Unnat Bharat Abhiyan
Port Blair, Oct 10: A Special Gram Sabha Meeting held on 02nd October 2019 at Tushnabad Community Hall on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi. Miss Mary Jasinta, Pradhan presented the works under connectivity like Construction of rural road from Hobdipur village to Mahuadera under RURBAN mission which is a long pending demand for the public and after its completion major tourism activities would be carried out by the Tushnabad Gram Panchayat alongwith Tourism and other line departments which will boost the local economy.
Regarding the water management construction of big ring well at Bengali Basthi with pump house to mitigate the water crisis discussed. In Health sector construction of cold mortuary at Primary Health Centre, Tushnabad, Construction of separate labour ward and in housing sector construction of houses under Prime Minister Awaas Yojana (PMAY) for the needy people also brought to the forum.
The long pending issue of the locals for vegetable market near Tushnabad junction, Construction of passengers waiting shed near Hobdipur Junction Construction of shred unit at Hobdipur were also awarded. Smti Angel Bhati Chauhan IAS. Director (IP & T) was represented the Gram Sabha as Administration representative, while addressing the gathering she stressed the need to have vibrant Gram Sabha for Grassroot level democracy.
She congratulated the PRI members of Tushnabad for successfully conducting Gram Sabha meeting and she has also administered oath to the attendees of Gram Sabha on Swachhda. Dr.K.Venkatesan, HoD, Home Science and Unnat Bharat Abhiyan Coordinator was attended the meeting as special invitee. While addressing Dr K Venkatesan said the JNRM has adopted five villages under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and self sufficiency rural prosperity in villages is the main motto and Tushnabad is one among them. To say no to plastics the Tushnabad rural women under the guidance of Pradhan, Samiti and Ward members collected the old clothes from the panchayat and the same has been converted into usable cloth bags.
These bags were distributed to the attendees on that day. Smti Angel Bhati Chauhan IAS. Director (IP & T) appreciated the efforts done by the Tushnabad Gram Panchayat for making the panchayat free from plastics. The Unnat Bharat Abhiyan team from JNRM also presented cloth bags to the rural masses with Lions Club of Port Blair. Followed by Swachh Bharat Abhiyan cleanliness drive took place in the premises of Community Hall in which Smti Angel Bhati Chauhan IAS joined with locals, PRI members, Student volunteers from JNRM Home Science Unnat Bharat Abhiyan Team. The Gram Sabha meeting was attended by Shri Nitin Biswas Inspector CS&CA and line department officials from Revenue, Fire service. Health, Electricity, Education with a large number of villagers.
Safe arrangements for sale of Crackers
Port Blair, Oct 10: With the rest of the Country, Diwali (Deepawali) the festival of lights is being celebrated in these Islands. On this occasion crackers will be sold at ITF Ground and Bathubasti vehicle Parking Area from 18th October to 28th October, 2019 from 9.00 AM to 8.00 PM. About 65 stalls have been allotted to shop keepers who have got licenses for sale of crackers from the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman District.
Arrangements have also made at ITF Ground and Bathubasti for Fire Extinguishers, Standby Fire Tenders, Power Backup, Toilet Blocks & Drinking Water arrangements. 24 x 7 CCTV Surveillance will also be installed for effective monitoring by Fire/Police Authority. All these arrangements have been made as advised by the Administration with the support of Police, Fire Brigade, PBMC, Electricity, APWD & DC Office.
The general public as well as the shop keepers are requested to abide by the rules and regulations as prescribed by the Administration on the subject so as to reduce overcrowd, accident and hazardous situation.
ANNOUNCEMENT FOR HAJ 1441 (H)-2020 (C.E.)
Port Blair, Oct 10: Haj Committee of India, (HCoI) has announced the commencement of preparations for Haj-2020. The guideline for the intending pilgrims has been issued by them. The last date of receipt of online application is 10.11.2019
• The Guidelines for Haj 1441 (H) -2020(C.E) can be downloaded from the website of Haj Committee of India “hajcommittee.gov.in”.
• Haj Application Form (HAF) can be filled and submitted online at “hajcommittee.gov.in” or through Android mobile App ”HCOI” available in Google Playstore.
• After filling HAF, copy therefore may be downloaded and kept for submission with the UT Haj Committee alongwith relevant documents like passport and remittance receipt.
• The A&N Islands UT Haj Committee has also set up a E-Suvidha Kendra for assisting Hajis in the online submission of HAF.
• Applications will be accepted online only, either directly or through UT Haj Committee.
• The applications must be in possession of machine readable valid Indian international Passport issued on or before last date of receiving Haj Application Forms (HAF) i.e 10.11.2019 and valid upto 20.01.2021.
• A non-refundable processing fee of Rs.300/- is to be paid with HAF.
• Applicants must read the Guidelines carefully and select the Embarkation Point as per their convenience and airfare amount. Options once selected for Category of Accommodation and Adahi (Qurbani) will not be allowed to change.
• Applicants can fill in their applications themselves, through Cyber Cafes, E Suvidha Kendras or UT Haj Committee office as per their convenience.
For any difficulty, applicants may contact to the office of the Chairman, A&N Islands UT Haj Committee, Directorate of Social Welfare Building, Second Floor Goalghar, Port Blair from 10.10.2019 till 10.11.2019 during working hours.
Live Phone-in Interactive program by AIR Port Blair
Port Blair, Oct 10: Port Blair Station of All India Radio will broadcast a LIVE Phone-in interactive programme entitled ”HELLO DOCTOR” on 12.10.2019 (Saturday) from 0720 hrs to 0755 hrs. The topic of discussion is ”Breast Cancer – Causes, symptoms and treatment”. Medical Specialist Dr. Omkar Singh ( Joint Secretary – National Programme on prevention and control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardio vascular diseases and Stroke) will be the expert in the studio answering to the queries of the listeners. Listeners can call on Phone no.232336 or 232558 to participate in this Live programme. This programme will be moderated by Ms. Jaisheela (PEX). This programme will be available on MW 684 KHZ and FM 100.9 MHZ.
ANC Trans Himalayan Motorcycle Expedition Team Returns to Port Blair
Port Blair, Oct 10: TriShakti, the Trans Himalayan Motorcycle Expedition of Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) returned to Port Blair on 8th of October, 2019. The expedition organised by the Andaman and Nicobar Command started from Delhi on 28th of September 2019 and culminated at Delhi on 06th October 2019 after completing a gruelling 1500 Km across the inhospitable terrain and challenging weather of the Lahaul and Spiti Valley.
The expedition comprising 16 officers of Army, Navy and Air force including two lady officers drove across major landmarks including Rohtang Pass, Kumzum Pass and Chandertaal Lake, which were all at heights greater than 13000 ft. The expedition also covered the treacherous terrain of approximately 100 Km from Gramphoo to Lohsar in Himachal Pradesh interspersed with water ways. This transit is amongst the most treacherous roadways in the world and has also been part of the International Off-roading event called Raide D’ Himalaya. This was an especially tough day for the bikes and the drivers and many breakdowns were suffered. However, the zeal and enthusiasm of the riders was undeterred.
Other important landmarks covered were the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports at Manali, Key Monastery at Kaza and Gui Monastery near Tabo. Apart from the element of adventure, the team, over eight days, interacted with the locals and promoted issues such as marine pollution and Andaman and Nicobar tourism. The team was led by Cdr Ankit Pandey, who also planned and organized the expedition.
Subir Chander elected as New Adhyaksh and Gagandeep Singh elected as Up-Adhyaksh of South Andaman ZP
John Wilbert
Port Blair, Oct 09: In a special meeting organized at South Andaman Zilla Parishad Office, the elections for the new Adhyaksh and Up- Adhyaksh was conducted today. During the election Mr. Subir Chander was elected as new Adhyaksh while Mr. Gagandeep Singh was elected as new up- Adhyaksh of South Andaman Zilla Parishad. Both Mr. Subir Chander and Mr. Gagandeep Singh won with a margin of 12 votes. The Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman who conducted the election later handed over the certificate to both the winning candidates.
Huge Relief for Islanders as Andaman is receiving complete coverage of Tata Sky DTH; Set-top box getting automatic updated
Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Oct 09: Bringing huge relief for people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands the TATA Sky DTH is now providing complete coverage of all available channels in Andaman and Nicobar islands, just like mainland India. Adding to the excitement now TATA Sky DTH Set-top boxes are also getting automatically updated in Andaman within 10 minutes. Earlier one had to send DTH Set-top boxes to mainland India every one or two months for software update.
Till now people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands were paying heavily for cable connections and that too among handful of channels, cable customers were asked to select a few expensive channels but in TATA Sky DTH there are thousands of channels, to choose from.
According to TATA Sky users if chosen wisely a simple pack of all entertainment, movie channels, kid’s channels, lifestyle channel, news channel and education channel cost hardly Rs. 350 to Rs. 380, at present.
Moreover, the TATA Sky is also providing facility to remove or add any channel at any point of time by SMS or WhatsApp message.
Earlier a good number of TATA Sky connections were provided in Andaman without valid KYC but now there are several shops working who are taking proper orders of TATA Sky connection and providing the connection with proper KYC and in a legal manner.
Not only this a good number of people are also reporting that now Airtel DTH and one Nepali Company’s DTH are also providing complete service in Andaman.
What is more exiting is that even when there is no company dealer of TATA Sky DTH in Andaman, the cost of fixing dish and setting up set-top box is almost equal to one Set-top box of local cable operator.
People of Andaman and Nicobar Islands are now hoping that soon TATA Sky and AirTel DHT will open dealership here so that the rates of new connections come down further.
Delay in making road to Happy Valley leaves residents unhappy
John Wilbert & Roni Antony
Port Blair, Oct 09: Nearly 20 to 25 families are residing in Happy Valley of Austinabad, Port Blair but since beginning of time there is only one earthen road, to connect the Happy Valley with outside world. The earthen road was also reportedly made by residents of Happy Valley by their own expenses.
Brining some hope for the residents of the area last year foundation stone for a new road was laid, accordingly two week back the actual work for the new road started and box-pit was installed for laying stone, but after digging the pit no work was carried out, for last two week.
When asked the excuse given by the PBMC officials is that a pipe line came in the road and the same has to be shifted, now the EE PBMC says that the 200 cub. Mtrs of stone for the proposed work of the contractor has been stolen away by some unknown person.
However, one wonders how someone can steal 200 cub.mtrs of stone product in one or two days, until and unless some insiders are involved in this case.
People of the area are even today experiencing pathetic road to reach the Happy Valley. Especially during rainy days it becomes impossible to cross the earthen road.
Hand sawn padauk timber Seized
Port Blair, Oct 09: Acting on a tipoff, the Forest Officials of South Andaman Division conducted a search in the house and premises of Mr.Sushen Dhali, Proprietor of M/s. S.N.Furniture & Glass, Kadakachang on 09.10.2019 and found about 0.1008 cbm.(06 pieces) hand sawn padauk timber collected from illegal source. As he failed to produce any valid documents for the timber, he was arrested for violation of the provisions of Indian Forest Act, 1927 and later released on bail.
The team was led by Mr. Panchanam Halder, Forest Ranger, Mobile Squad and assisted by the Forester Mr. Najariyus Bara and Forest Guards Mr. Uttam Kumar Mistry, Mr. Keshabananda Ganguly, Mr. N.Saheed, Mr. Tarakeshwar, Mrs. M.Khadeeja Bibi and other forest workers.
The Divisional Forest Officer, South Andaman has, further, appealed to the general public to pass on credible information pertaining to illegal activities related to forest & wildlife over phone No.256178(Mobile Squad), 255344(Mannarghat Range), 224540 (Tushnabad Range), 287336(Manglutan Range), 252334(Garacharma Range), 281585(Jirkatang Range) & 255228(Divisional Office). The identity of the informer will be kept secret.