Port Blair, Jan 27: This year LOTE Award function was dedicated to the people and organization who have done exceptionally well during this on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
The program stated with two minutes of silence for those who lost their life during the COVID pandemic, followed by lighting of lamp by the Chief Guest Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Hon'ble Member of Parliament A & N Islands. A welcome patriotic song was sung by renowned artists Mr.Avinash and Miss. Priya, the brother - sister duo. Shri.Vaibhav Singh, Coordinator and Media Incharge LOTE, welcomed the gathering. Shri.Abhay Kumar, President, LOTE , spoke about the purpose and achievements of the LOTE.
Living On The Edge has been instrumental in taking up the matter of importance with the administration like construction of Bambooflat Chatham bridge since 2012, Irrational use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, domicile policy for islanders and had organized a football tournament, a breast cancer early detection camp, a health camp in association with Swathya Medical Centre, Bathubasti, an eye camp in association with Dr. Agarwals eye hospital. LOTE has also provided financial assistance to many people who were in need of specialized treatment at mainland hospitals.
Even during Covid lockdown, nearly 72 families were provided with the basic amenities. Other than the these many issues were raised through social media like, twitter and WhatsApp and solutions were achieved in the public interest.
The Chief Guest gave away the LOTE Award of Excellence to institutions like RCIMR, DHS, A & N Police, PBMC, Education, State Transport, Civil Supplies and organizations, viz. Rajasthan Manch, Team Covid - 19 led by Dr. Avijit Roy, Guru Ki Rasoi, SKSSF, A&N Media Federation, Hindu Seva Sangh, Tehsildar and Staff , Ferrargunj, BDO & Staff, Ferrargunj, SHO & Staff , PS Bambooflat, Pharmacy Section DHS.
In the individual category, Mr. Suneel Anchipaka, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, Shri. Vinay Kumar Jindal, the then Assistant Commissioner, HQ, Mrs. Premilla, Asha Worker , Mr. Rajendra Lakra,ex DRM driver, Dr. Ritesh Mondal, IT incharge COVID, Mr. Shubham Ghosh, Mr. Abdul Rasheed, Mr. CH. Babu Rao, Miss. V. K. Marium Bibi, Mr. Mutthuswamy, Mr. O.Basheer, Mr. Someshwer Rao, Mr.Sarvanan, Mr. Ehtesham Ahmed Khan, Mr. Debashish Chowdhury, Mr. A.P.Yousuf, Mr. P. Abdul Basheer and Mr. A. Tamil Selvan , all social workers were felicitated by the Chief Guest.
In his address Dr. Navelndra Kumar Singh, Director Civil Supplies and Transport described how the department managed to provide basic amenities to the common people during lockdown.
In his address Shri. Vinay Kumar Jindal, Director RD & Panchayats illustrated the use of 3H- Head, Heart and Hand in the daily life for becoming better human being.
In his key speech to the gathering Dr. Vijayachari, Director ICMR spoke about the importance of measures to keep away from Covid.
Dr. Avijit Roy, Nodal Officer, COVID 19, spoke how the health department have been working tirelessly ever since the outbreak of Covid 19 in these islands and also cautioned the islanders to be more alert from May and to adhere to the Covid protocol strictly.
Addressing the gathering, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma appreciated the move of Living On The Edge, LOTE to felicitate the Covid warriors. He also highlighted the issue of misuse of drugs, especially among the youths and irrational use of inorganic fertilizers by the cultivators. He also advised various NGO's working in the islands to approach nationalized banks for CRS fund.
Shri. Sanjay Balan, Patron of LOTE, recalled his association with LOTE and the achievements of the NGO since its launch in 2012.
Shri. Abhi Bhusan Ghosh, General Secretary, LOTE gave the vote of thanks to the Chief Guest, entire recipients of Awards and the guest .The entire program was anchored by Mrs. Lata Kumar, a star program anchor of these islands.