Port Blair, Sept. 25: The Hon'ble Member of Parliament, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma was honored with an invitation to speak at the prestigious India Habitat Centre (IHC) in New Delhi. The event focused on shedding light on the rich culture and pressing issues of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, a region known for its natural beauty and vibrant communities.
India Habitat Centre, renowned for promoting environmental awareness and fostering cultural and social development, played host to this engaging discourse. The Mission of India Habitat Centre is to bring a holistic approach to problem solving in areas of environmental and regional planning, energy efficiency, appropriate technology options, transport and communication, lifestyle choices, socio-cultural linkages and information technology. Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma's impassioned speech captivated the audience, drawing them into the heart of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
In his opening remarks, Shri Sharma painted a vivid picture of the islands' indigenous communities, including the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarwa, and Sentinelese. He celebrated their traditions of honesty and simplicity, leaving the audience awestruck.
The MP's lyrical description of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands with their lush green forests, vibrant nature and enriched marine life, evoked a sense of poetry and reverence among the attendees.
Sharma went on to highlight the Islands' need for improved healthcare facilities. He shared the plight of islanders who have to travel over 1200 kilometers to Chennai for specialist medical care. The audience responded with empathy and supported the MP's advocacy for the establishment of a super-specialty hospital.
The MP also shared the pride of the Islands, boasting a literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 77%. The audience conveyed their congratulations to the people of the Islands and called for the establishment of more engineering and medical colleges to further elevate education standards.
Turning the spotlight on the flourishing fishery industry, Sharma acknowledged the need for modernization and increased production. He emphasized the transition from coconut farming to value-added fisheries to tap into export opportunities and enhance the prosperity of the local population.
Furthermore, the MP stressed the importance of establishing a textile hub in the Islands to compete with neighboring textile industries. This would capitalize on the abundant materials flowing from India.
The discourse's focus then shifted to tourism and its potential in the coming decades. The audience supported the MP’s advocacy for more affordable airfares to boost tourism to the islands.
At the closing, the audience was left deeply impressed by the MP's commitment to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Kuldeep Rai Sharma assured that he would continue to dedicate himself to bridging the gap between the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and mainland India, bringing the region's unique culture, challenges, and opportunities closer to the nation's consciousness.