Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 13: The A&N Administration today organized a Guinness World Record felicitation function at Lok Niwas to celebrate the twin historic Guinness World Record viz. Largest National Flag Underwater & Tallest Human Stack Underwater created in A&N Islands in the month of May, 2026. Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A& N Islands, and Vice Chairman Islands Development Agency as the chief guest felicitated the participant divers with certificates and medallions.
The function was attended by the First Lady of A&N Islands, Smt. Chitra Joshi, CINCAN, Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Ms. Chanchal Yadav, DGP, Shri Ravindra Singh Yadav, PCCF, Shri Sanjay Kumar Sinha, Commissioner Cum-Secretary, Shri Sachin Shinde, other senior officers from Defence & Civil Administration and tourism stakeholders.
The twin Guinness World Records (GWR) are ‘Largest National Flag Unfurled Underwater’ (60 m × 40 m; 2,400 sq.m.) and ‘Tallest Human Stack Underwater’ (22.3 metres height). The GWR attempts were planned by the A&N Administration to spotlight the islands’ exceptional underwater wealth and to position A&N Islands as a premier international diving destination. The success in both the event has further reinforced the Islands’ reputation as a world-class destination for underwater exploration and diving.
The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Ms. Chanchal Yadav, in her address on the occasion highlighted the immense potential of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the field of maritime tourism and the strategic importance of the Guinness World Records achieved through diving activities. She said that globally, tourism can broadly be divided into two categories viz. land-based tourism and maritime tourism. Around 50 percent of global tourism is associated with maritime tourism, representing a market valued at nearly USD 4 trillion. However, India’s share in this segment is only about 2.5 per cent. She emphasized that maritime tourism therefore presents a significant opportunity for India and, particularly, for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to establish a strong presence on the global tourism map. She said, the diving-based Guinness World Records achieved by the Islands provide a unique opportunity to showcase the destination globally. “These records are our best bet for advertising the Islands on the global map,” she said, adding that the Administration is not merely resting on this achievement but is taking concrete steps to establish the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a global diving destination.
She informed that, under the guidance of the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, a proposal has been submitted to the Government of India’s Destination Development Scheme for developing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a global diving destination. She said that the initiative would focus primarily on strengthening safety infrastructure associated with diving activities, along with improving physical infrastructure such as jetties and boat repair facilities. In addition, facilities for specialized training, underwater exploration, shipwreck diving and underwater museums could be developed to provide visitors with a safe, secure and world-class diving experience.
The Chief Secretary also emphasized the need to diversify tourism activities in the Islands to increase their share in the global maritime tourism market. She said that activities such as surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and sailing are also being promoted, with the objective of positioning the Islands as a hub for a wide range of niche maritime tourism experiences. She stressed that the overarching objective is to increase the Islands’ share in niche segments of maritime tourism while ensuring that tourism development remains sustainable and environmentally responsible.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Secretary, IP&T, Shri Vinayak Chamadia said that these records which were envisioned and entirely conceptualised by the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands not only highlighted Andaman & Nicobar Islands on the global scuba map as a global diving hub but also depicted strong co-ordination between various agencies of A&N Administration and A&N Command.
Sharing his experience about the GWR, Shri Hardik Datanwala, Lead Diver said that with the vison of the Hon’ble Lt. Governor and the support from all agencies, our Islands has achieved the GWR. He said that for achieving this record, the entire diving community came forward.
Proposing the vote of thanks, Director, IP&T, Ms. Anita Yadav said that the achievement of the Guinness World Records (GWR) has given the A&N Administration renewed optimism and confidence to move forward with greater determination and a clear vision for the future.