Port Blair, Apr 18: Ms. Zohra Banu ,2nd island Girl: A Remarkable Journey to Qualifying UPSC Exams, Ms. Zohra Banu’s journey to qualifying the UPSC exams is a testament to perseverance, dedication, and intellect. Throughout her preparation, Ms. Zohra Banu demonstrated exceptional time management skills, balancing her responsibilities while committing herself wholeheartedly to her studies.
Ms. Zohra Banu’s deep understanding of the UPSC syllabus and her strategic approach to tackling each stage of the examination process played a pivotal role in her achievement. From meticulously analysing previous years’ question papers to staying updated on current affairs, she left no stone unturned in her quest for excellence.
As Ms. Zohra Banu embarks on the next chapter of her journey, her success serves as a beacon of hope and motivation for aspiring civil servants from Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Her story is a reminder that with passion, perseverance, and the right guidance, achieving one’s dreams is not only possible but within reach.
In recognition of her outstanding achievement AIKMCC Andaman State Committee today felicitated her at her residence in Calicut , we congratulate Ms. Zohra Banu on her well-deserved success in qualifying the UPSC exams. May her journey continue to inspire and empower others to pursue their goals relentlessly.

Port Blair, Apr. 18: In view of the Lok Sabha Elections -2024 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands Parliamentary Constituency, the Museums of the National Memorial Cellular Jail will be closed on April 19, 2024 to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the electoral process.

Port Blair, Apr 18: This is to inform the passengers that due to Administrative reasons the scheduled departure time of the vessel MV Bharat Seema for Little Andaman on 21.04.2024 at 0700 Hrs from Port Blair has been postponed. Now, the vessel will sail for Little Andaman on day i.e. on 21.04.2024 at 1000 Hrs from Haddo Wharf.
Embarkation of passengers will commence at 0800 Hours and boarding will be closed 45 minutes before departure time of the vessel.
Inconvenience caused to the passengers is regretted.

Port Blair, Apr 18: Due to administrative reasons, following amendments have been made in the sailing programme of Foreshore Sector vessels which are as under:
1. The vessel MV Chouldari will sail for Rangat via Swaraj Dweep & Long Island on 19.04.2024 (Fri) at 0530 Hrs from Phoenix Bay Jetty and will sail for Port Blair on the same day at 1200 Hrs from Rangat via same route.
Passengers may book their tickets for the above sailing schedules from DSS e-ticketing portal (https://dss.andaman.gov.in/eticketing) and STARS Ticketing Counter on 18.04.2024 from 1400 Hrs onwards. Left out tickets if any available will be issued to the general public at Information Counter one hour prior to the departure time of the vessel.
2. The vessel MV Bharat Seema will sail for Mayabunder on 19.04.2024 (Fri) at 2100 Hrs from Haddo Wharf and will sail for Port Blair via Diglipur on 20.04.2024 at 1000 Hrs.
Passengers may book their tickets for the above sailing schedules from DSS e-ticketing portal (https://dss.andaman.gov.in/eticketing) and STARS Ticketing Counter on 18.04.2024 from 1400 Hrs onwards. Left out tickets if any available will be issued to the general public at Haddo Wharf two hour prior to the departure of the vessel.
3. The scheduled departure time of the vessel MV Chouldari from Port Blair to Little Andaman on 19.04.2024 (Fri) at 1100 Hrs has postponed. Now the vessel will sail for Little Andaman on the same day at 2200 Hrs from Phoenix Bay Jetty.
4. Due to insufficient booking of passenger tickets, the vessel MV Bharat Seema scheduled for Swaraj Dweep on 19th & 20th April, 2024 has been cancelled. Passenger those who have purchased their tickets for the above sailings are advised to cancel their ticekts and get full refund.

Port Blair, Apr 18: The cargo vessel MV Chuglam will sail for Campbell Bay via Car Nicobar, Chowra, Teressa, Katchal & Nancowry on 23.04.2024 (Tue) at 1500 Hrs from Chatham Wharf/Junglighat Jetty and will sail for Port Blair immediately after discharging/loading of Cargo at respective ports. Booking of cargo for the above sailing will commence from 20.04.2024 onwards between 0900 Hrs & 1200 Hrs at Commercial Wing.
Loading of cargo will commence from 21.04.2024 (Sun) onwards. All the consignors are requested to adhere to the loading schedule in in order to maintain the sailing as promulgated. All the consignors are further advised to book actual quantity of cargo to be transshipped, as no excess cargo will be allowed.

Port Blair, Apr 18: One Stop Centre under the Directorate of Social Welfare organized an online awareness session for the benefits of women to address various schemes for women’s empowerment such as One Stop Centre scheme, Women Helpline (181), Swadhar Greh scheme, Ujjawala scheme, Working Women’s Hostel, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), also briefed about the Mission Shakti Scheme.
Dr. Nitin Shakya, Director (SW), in the keynote address stressed that various government schemes play a crucial role in promoting gender equality, empowering women economically and ensuring their overall well-being.
Mr. Anish Badaik, Para legal lawyer, One Stop Centre briefed on the objective of One Stop Centre scheme which provides integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence during distress both in private and public spaces. The One Stop Centres facilitate immediate, emergency, non-emergency services access to a range of services including Medical, Legal, minimum 5 days temporary shelter, Police assistance, Psychological and Counseling support to fight any forms of violence against women under single roof. Further highlighted on Women Helpline scheme (181) which provides 24 hours emergency, non-emergency response to women affected by violence also supports women in distress with rescue van and counseling services.
During the online session Mr. Anish Badaik, a Para Legal Personnel/Lawyer, briefed on Swadhar Greh Scheme, Ujjawala Scheme and Working Women Hostel. He highlighted their objectives: providing institutional support for rehabilitation to victims, preventing trafficking, offering assistance to victims, and providing safe accommodation for working women with daycare facilities. He also discussed the Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao schemes to address declining Child Sex Ratio and ensure girl child education, along with the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana for Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers and Mission Shakti Scheme for women’s safety and empowerment. The program was attended by the college students and general public.

Port Blair, Apr.14: As an initiative to increase the voter percentage in the Islands for the upcoming General Elections for the lone Parliamentary seat of the House of People on 19th April 2024, Shri Arjun Sharma, IAS, Returning Officer, ANIPC held discussions with the Hoteliers & Restaurants Association in South Andaman District.
The Association showing their support and rallying behind the spirit of civic engagement agreed upon the offering of 10%-20% discount in the food bills at hotels and restaurants, from 19th April evening to 20th April, if they exercise their franchise in the coming Lok Sabha election. To get the discount, the electors just have to show the Electoral ink applied on their finger.
The Association informed that the following hotels in the South Andaman shall be offering the discount
19th April 2024 (POLL DAY)
Special Voter Discount 15% (Food only )
• Bay Leaf
• Hotel Abhishek
• Hotel Aparupa Ambience
• Aparupa Sands Marina
• Hotel Mainak
• Diviyum Manor
• Hotel Sri KPN
• J Hotel
• Annapoorna
• Gem continental
• New Light House Restaurant (10% on food)
• Icy Spicy all outlets (10% on food)

20th April 2024
• Mansha Hotels (20% on food)
The Returning Officer, ANIPC also held meetings with the Taxi Association as well as Autorickshaw Associations who have also come forward to help the effort of increasing voting percentage in the Islands by offering free ride from home to the polling station for PwD voters and the senior citizens. The Associations were directed to adhere strictly to all MCC norms and not to indulge in corrupt practices or electoral offences such as bribery, undue influence, intimidation of voters or canvassing during such trips.
The RO, ANIPC expressed his gratitude to the Hotels/Restaurants as well as the Taxi Association and Auto Association who would be playing a role in encouraging greater participation by the electors in the voting process and further reiterated that the concessions offered by hotels underscore their commitment at fostering an inclusive and participatory electoral process, where every voice counts and every vote matters.

Port Blair, Apr. 17:The Election Commission of India has issued strict standing instructions that no cellular (mobile)/cordless/wireless phone sets, are allowed inside the Polling Stations and also in the 100 meters perimeter of Polling Stations by the voters while exercising their franchise in order to maintain the secrecy of voting process.
It is, therefore, hereby appealed to the voters under the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Parliamentary Constituency not to carry any such gadgets with them to the Polling Station to obviate any last minute inconvenience.
The Date of Poll (Phase-I) in this constituency is on 19/04/2024 (Friday) and hours of Poll is from 7 AM to 6 PM.

Port Blair, Apr. 17: The District Administration, South Andaman has been taking many pro-active steps in reaching out to eligible voters especially senior citizens and divyangjans. In this regard, special drive was undertaken by facilitating postal ballots on 12.04.2024 and 13.04.2024 at their households. Auto and Taxi Associations were also sensitized and advised to provide free ride between their home and Polling Stations. All Polling Stations are made Divyang friendly by providing suitable ramps. Similarly, wheelchairs have also been made available in the Polling Stations.
In another step towards encouraging the voters who are Senior Citizens and Divyang voters to exercise their votes, it has been decided by the District Election Office that suitable transportation facility would be provided free of cost on poll day i.e. on 19th of April 2024. Eligible voters may register their names by contacting the Toll Free Number ‘1950’ or by submitting their request through the Mobile App ‘SAKSHAM’. Accordingly, the District Administration would make necessary arrangements for providing free pick up and drop facility to the eligible voters.
If any voter has exercised their votes through postal votes, they are not entitled to vote again since their names have already been marked in the electoral roll.