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Car Nicobar, March 25: A multipurpose camp is being conducted for the girls of 6-14 years of age at the Priyadarshini Auditorium of Car Nicobar currently, under Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan. Around 74 girls from the different Islands of the southern part of the territory are taking part in it.
Talking about the objectives of the camp the coordinator Miss Shobha Rani said that the camp provides a unique opportunity to the students of far flung areas to share their views and explore their hidden talents on a common platform. She informed that the students from Campbell Bay, Katchal, Teressa, Nancowry, Chowra and Car Nicobar have been divided into 4 groups in the camp and each group comprises of the students from different Islands. “They make good friends working together in the group” Miss shobha said.
Excited about the camp, the leader of the Chowra group, Kumari Reena a student of class VIth, said that the children are enjoying, taking part in the various activities like Sports, Excursion, Painting, making word trees and singing. The teacher from Chowra Mrs. Frankie said that it has been a very useful camp for her students. When asked about the follow-up work she told that the students perform the activities learnt in these type of camps, in the Bal-Sabha conducted in their School, and moreover many of the them discover their hobbies at the camp.
Resource Person Mrs. Rubie Hazel said that the students are gaining confidence and it is reflected from their improved way of presentation. The students, who were shy of communicating in the language other than their mother tongue earlier, are now becoming confident of expressing their views freely, Mrs. Rubie Said. The 5 days long camp will conclude tomorrow.
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Port Blair, March 20: The MEDIVISION a NGO from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in association with Directorate of Health Services has conducted multispecialty Medical & Surgical Camp from 4th to 12th March 2013 and rendered Medical Care services to the needy Patients at the following places of A & N Islands: -
G.B.Pant Hospital, Port Blair, South Andaman District, Dr. RP Hospital, Mayabunder, North & Middle Andaman, CHC Diglipur, North & Middle Andaman, CHC Rangat, North & Middle Andaman, PHC Hutbay, South Andaman District.
The team consisted of the following Supper Specialists and Medical officers –Dr. Thiraviam, D.Orther., MS, MCh Ortho Plastic micro vascular surgeon, Dr. Frank Davis Daniel, MS, MCh Urologist, Dr. Arun Shankar, MBBS, DA Anesthesiologist, Dr. Stephenson Jeyasingh MS, MCh Pediatric Surgeon, Dr. Joseoh Victor MS, MCh Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Hebzibah Kirubamani MD (OG), phd Gynecologist, Dr. Meganathan Ms, MCh Urologist, Dr. Thomas, Anesthetist, Dr. Thiraviam, D. Ortho., MS, MCh Ortho Plastic micro Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Frank Davis Daniel, MS, MCh Urologist, Dr. Arun Shankar, MBBS, DA Anesthesiologist, Dr. Stephenson Jeyasingh MS, MCh pediatric Surgeon, Dr. Joseph Victor MS, MCh Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Hebzibah Kirubamani MD (OG), Phd Gynecologist, Dr. Meganathan Ms, MCh Urologist and Dr. Thomas, Anesthetist
The team has examined and treated a total No. of 1461 Medical & Surgical and OPD Patients. The team Has distributed medicines to needy patients. The Medical & Surgical Patients those who required further investigation was referred to G.B. Pant Hospital for investigation and surgery by the surgical team of MEDIVISION at G.B. Pant Hospital.
The general Public of the concerned areas have expressed their happiness and to Health Department and MEDIVISION (NGO) for conducting the Medial & Surgical Camps.
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Creeks Blocked, Forest Cleared for Construction of Road to Transport Logs from Shipwreck
Diglipur, March 20: It has been learnt through reliable sources that a private party in connivance with the Andaman & Nicobar Forest and Plantation Development Corporation (ANIFPDCL) has been openly violating the Forest Conservation Act 1980 which clearly states that the forest cannot be de-reserved or used for non-forest purpose.
It is learnt that the private party was awarded a tender for salvage operation from a ship wreck that took place near Ticket Island at Elizabeth Bay near Diglipur. It was in the year 2005 when a cargo vessel MV Edna Maria on its voyage from Myanmar to Tuticorian, carrying 993 Cbm of Burmese Rose Wood got wrecked near Ticket Island. It was later in the year 2011 that the A&N Administration had decided to call a tender through the ANIFPDCL to clear the cargo in the wrecked ship. The tender was later awarded to M/s Priya Enterprises, Port Blair at a cost of Rs. 61,60,165/- .
Sources further inform that to clear the salvage, the private party has cut a 6.5 Kms approach road from Hathi Level to Bandhan Nallah 2 by clearing down the naturally grown forest trees, without seeking any permission from the concerned Ministry of Environment & Forest. It is not only this; the party in connivance with the Forest Corporation has blocked a creek inside the reserve forest by dumping stone bolders and earth to connect the road being constructed. The road is now being used to carry excavators and other machineries needed for the salvage operation.
No permission has been sought from the concerned Ministry and no biomass assessment has been undertaken by the forest department to have an account of the number of trees being destroyed inside the forest reserve. Moreover blocking a creek having wildlife in it is a clear violation of the rule.
It is again surprising to note that the Forest Authorities have strictly banned any locals from entering into this area and also warned them against photography in the area.
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Port Blair, March 19: The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray has raised the issue of injustice brought against the appointment of 2 GDMOs (Dental) under A & N state Health Society (NRHM) under contract basis during the “O” hour in the floor of lower House on 15th March 2013.
The MP emphasized that as per the advertisement made by the State Health Society, out of 42 applications received, 16 Candidates attended for the interview, out of them 7 were local candidates who are well versed with the topography of the islands and qualified with BDS with vast experience. Some of them have served in the Tribal areas as GDMOs during and after Tsunami. Among them’ 1 doctor (Dentist) had been awarded with the Lt. Governor’s Commendation Certificate but were neglected by the Selection Committee.
Bishnu also said instead of appointing local candidates with vast experience, appointments were given to other 2 Candidates who are brought from Rajasthan or elsewhere State, which is being protested by the Islanders.
The MP demanded that the qualified and experienced local born Doctors of these islands are to be given employment, instead of persons brought from mainland.
He further said that in 10th IDA Meeting, the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Vajpayee decided that appointment towards group C and Group D posts are to be filled with the local candidates and for this purpose a service Selection Committee may be appointed by the Administration. But the present Govt. instead of implementing the same has appointed Non Locals.
Bishnu lastly demanded cancellation of the appointment made against the 2 posts of GDMOs by A & N Health Society and said that the Local Candidates who interviewed be appointed on their merit basis. He also prayed for Constitution of the State Service Committee.
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Port Blair, March 19: A 3 day national seminar on Organic farming and product Diversification of coconut has begun at Port Blair today. Inaugurating the seminar at Megapode resort this morning, the Islands Chief Secretary, AnandPrakash called upon the farmers to promote organic farming in a large scale in the islands. He said the seminar will be of immense helpful to the island farmers to improve the yield in their farms and asked them to implement in their fields whatever new techniques they learn from the seminar. Emphasizing on the need to promote organic farming in more beneficial manner for the farmers, he said more thrust has to be given to improve the marketing facilities for organic products. He also stated that a new certification system has been launched by the government for the organic products and the farmers would get optimum benefits out of the system.
The Chief Secretary and the chairman of the High value Agriculture Development Agency (HVADA) also released the English and Hindi versions of the publication on organic farming titled “ Andaman and Nicobar Mission organic “ . The Secretary of Agriculture, S N Mishra received the first copies of the books.
Earlier, addressing the participants, the Plantation Crop Management Specialist, Dr P Rethinam stressed the need to promote only organic farming in the islands, since non organic farming would have adverse impact on the fragile eco system of the region. He said globally 3.32 lakh hectares of land were put under organic farming and India occupied the second position with 1 million hectares of organic farm lands, after China with the 1.2 million hectares of land under organic cultivation.
Stressing on the importance of diversification of coconut products, he said the coconut farming can be made profitable only through production of high value products like virgin coconut oil and other edible and non-edible products. Citing an example, he said in the island nation, Marshall island the coconut oil has been improved as refined fuel to run the cars and even the factory machineries. He also emphasised that all out efforts have to be taken to produce all the products locally, which are being brought from the main land to pave way for self-reliance and economic development of the region. He also appealed to the farmers to take steps to cultivate high value fruits like Durian to earn attractive income out of agriculture. He said if the island farmers changed their mind set, nothing is impossible for them; and they can engage in organic farming in more profitable manner.
The Secretary of Agriculture, S N Mishra informed that the scientists and experts would give expert advice and necessary guidance to the participating farmers to promote organic farming in the islands in commercially attractive manner.
Speaking on the occasion, the Officiating Director of CARI, D R Singh informed that the high value coconut mission launched in the islands a few years back is very successful and improved the yield of coconut trees to 33 nuts per tree from the earlier yield of 22 per tree. He expressed concern that the organic products from the islands are yet to be given a brand name and called for concerted efforts by all concerned to improve the organic farming in a large scale, besides obtaining the brand name for the island organic products.
The Director of Agriculture, M A Salam also spoke. A number of farmers from different islands attended the seminar.
As part of the seminar, an exhibition on organic farming is put up at the venue. Agriculture scientists and experts from different parts of the country will conduct the sessions in the seminar. This 3-daylong seminar will conclude on Thursday.
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Port Blair, March 19: Shri B.K. Ghosh, aged 85 years and a retired Inspector of Police, R/o Prem Nagar has donated an amount of Rs 50,000/- towards LG’s Relief Fund. Shri Ghosh presented the cheque amount to the Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM in presence of his daughter-in-law, Smt Anima Ghosh at Raj Niwas today. Shri Ghosh has donated the amount to the LG’s Relief Fund as a mark of tribute to his wife Late Sukumari Ghosh, who expired in G.B. Pant hospital on 23rd January 2013, at the age of 77 years.
The Lt Governor expressed his gratitude for the contribution towards the noble cause by a senior citizen.
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Port Blair, March 19: The PCC President Kuldeep Rai Sharma along with a delegation of quarry operators of Middle Andaman met the Lt Governor on 14th March, 2013 requesting opening of quarry operation at Middle Andaman. The delegation sated that due to non availability of Quarry operation, developmental works of Middle Andaman have come to a standstill. It was also mentioned that the DC, N&M Andaman had also identified few sites having potential for quarry operations.
Stating that the quarry operators want to have the operation in their own land, Sharma requested the permission of the Lt. Governor as early as possible so that the developmental works of the area may start before the monsoons. The Administrator has assured to look into the matter, said a Gandhi Bhawan communiqué.