Rangat, Jan 14: The ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ programme was organised at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Auditorium, Rangat today. Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency as the chief guest inaugurated the programme by lighting the traditional oil lamp. The Deputy Commissioner, N&M, Shri Ankit Yadav, Adhyaksh, ZP North & Middle Andaman, Shri Subrata Basu, Assistant Commissioner, Rangat, Ms. Sapna Priya, Senior Officers of the Line Departments at Rangat and general public attended the programme.

Addressing the gathering, the Lt. Governor stated that the Govt. of India launched the nationwide campaign, ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ to raise awareness through outreach activities to achieve saturation of schemes and to ensure that benefits of flagship schemes reach the targeted beneficiaries in a time bound manner. The Yatra in A&N Islands started from the southernmost part of India that is Campbell Bay in Great Nicobar Island and activities of Sankalp Yatra is continuing in different parts of the Islands. This Yatra has two aspects and the first is known as PM Flagship Schemes, under which, the number of beneficiaries is increasing day by day and these schemes have a direct connect with the quality of life and ease of living of the common man. For a developed nation, quality of life and ease of living are of paramount importance and we are moving in this direction, the Lt. Governor remarked.

The second aspect to become a developed nation is infrastructure development which has a direct connect with Industries, Tourism, growth, employment opportunities etc. and since last 8 to 10 years infrastructure development is taking place in a speedier manner, the Lt. Governor mentioned.

Informing about the infrastructure projects especially in N&M Andaman, the Lt. Governor informed that a good number of projects are coming up in this area which will directly or indirectly benefit the entire population of North & Middle Andaman. He said, the beginning of the year- 2024 is a transformational year for the North & Middle Andaman District. In the coming 3 to 4 months, the planned projects for the N&M Andaman will have a direct impact on the beneficiaries of N&M Andaman and they will be benefitted out of it. The preparatory activities of these projects have already started since last few years and the time of its fructification has started from the beginning of this year, he said.

Listing out the projects for North & Middle Andaman District starting from Diglipur, the Lt. Governor said, a high profile project of Tourism Hospitality  is coming up in Ross & Smith Islands under PPP mode. Final proceeding of the project from the Consultant has been received and it will be brought to contract stage in the coming 3 to 4 months. Flight facility under UDAN Scheme will start from Shibpur (Diglipur), for which, the selection of operator has been completed by Civil Aviation Ministry. The Runway at Shibpur is being extended further and it will pave the way for operation of flights. Further, for berthing of bigger vessels at Diglipur Port, a new Greenfield Deep Water Port will be developed at Atlanta Bay in Diglipur, the Lt. Governor said adding that a Tourism project is also going to come up at Avis Island in Mayabunder. A big Tourism & Hospitality project of A&N Islands covering a massive area of 42 hectare is coming up at Long Island and this project will also be brought in tendering and contract stage in the coming 3 to 4 months time, the Lt. Governor said adding that Long Island has also been identified for sea plane operations, for which, operator has been selected and it will start soon. The direct benefit of this project will be the people of N&M. All these infrastructure initiative is a contribution of A&N Islands towards the attainment of the dream of Hon’ble Prime Minister of ‘Viksit Bharat’.

The Lt. Governor appreciated the wonderful and colorful cultural programme presented by the school students. 

Earlier, the Lt. Governor administered the ‘Sankalp’ pledge to the gathering, emphasizing collective participation towards a ‘Developed India’.  PM’s message on VBSY was also screened on the occasion. The Lt. Governor felicitated Shri Anjulus Tirkey, Sanitary Worker for Swachh Bharat initiative, Kumar Arpit Das, best student of Sabri School (Passed 12th Class), Gangi Kujur, as best Self Help Group (SHG) and best Anganwadi Centre, Haripada Kheti.

Earlier, the IEC Van of ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ was welcomed by showering flower petals in the presence of the Lt. Governor and others. The Lt. Governor also interacted with the representatives of various Departments & and Financial Institutions who have put up their stalls to generate awareness about various Govt. schemes.

Welcoming the chief guest and others present on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner, N&M, Shri Ankit Yadav said that ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ programme is a nationwide campaign to raise awareness through outreach activities to achieve saturation of schemes. He said, ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ was celebrated covering all 37 Gram Panchayats of N&M Andaman.

Stalls of Bank, Health Services, Agriculture, CS&CA were setup at the Auditorium for the benefit of the people of Rangat and its adjoining areas. Beneficiaries’ from Agriculture (PMKISAN), NRLM, ICDS and Ujjwala Scheme shared their stories under ‘Meri Kahani Meri Zubani’, to motivate others to avail benefit under the scheme.

Later, a colourful cultural programme titled ‘Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke’ related to ‘Viksit Bharat’ titled ‘Mein Naye Bharat Ka Chehra’ and dance on patriotic theme was presented by the school students of Rangat area drawing loud applause from the audience.  The Anganwadi Workers of CDPO, ICDS Project Rangat presented a Skit titled ‘Sahi Poshan Toh Desh Roshan’ giving a strong message on the importance of nutritious food for the development of children and waging a war against malnutrition.

The Assistant Commissioner (MA) Rangat, Ms Sapna Priya proposed the vote of thanks.