Port Blair, Jan 12: The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS arrived on a two-day visit to Shaheed Dweep today. On arrival at the Shaheed Dweep Helipad, the Chief Secretary was accorded a warm welcome by the Gram Panchayat Pradhan, Shaheed Dweep, Ms. Pinkey Das, Zilla Parishad Member, Shaheed Dweep, Shri Dashrath Verma, Pramukh Panchayat Samiti, Port Blair, Ms. Champa Das, Officers of different Departments of Shaheed Dweep and others.

In the evening, the Chief Secretary, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS inaugurated the most popular ‘Vivekananda Mela’ at Radha Govind Temple Ground at Shaheed Dweep on the occasion of the 160th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

In his address on the occasion, the Chief Secretary appreciated the organizers for conducting the ‘Vivekananda Mela’ by involving all the Islanders to remember the great & visionary personality. Vivekananda’s life is full of values and inspiration which motivates every person. He urged the younger generation to make their life more meaningful by emulating the path shown by Swamiji.

The Chief Secretary further stated that Shaheed Dweep has progressed a lot in the tourism sector. He disclosed that a meeting will be convened tomorrow with the PRIs and the Officers of the Govt. Department to take stock of the developments taking place in Shaheed Dweep. He said all the required infrastructure facilities necessary for further development of Tourism sector will be created for the economic prosperity of Shaheed Dweep.

The Chief Secretary appreciated the colorful cultural programmes presented by the school children and praised the efforts of the teachers and parents. Earlier, paying rich tributes, the Chief Secretary garlanded the portrait of Swami Vivekananda on the occasion. He also visited the Govt. Stalls set up at the Mela Ground. Visiting the Fisheries Deptt. Stall, the Chief Secretary said Fisheries Sector has to be developed in a big way and the A&N Administration will provide all required support for the up gradation of Fishery Sector in A&N Islands. He further urged the officials to print the schemes implemented by Fisheries Department in Bengali language also for the benefit of the people of Shaheed Dweep.

Interacting with the officials of AH&VS Department at their stall, the Chief Secretary desired that Poultry & Dairy farming should be propagated in a broader scale for which farmers should be encouraged. He also praised an entrepreneur, Shri Manoranjan Halder who has purchased a ‘Hatch Pro Incubator Machine’ for production of chicks.

While visiting the stall of Education Department, the Chief Secretary showered praise on the students who have created innovative models and efficiently explaining the concept behind the models. He urged the officials of the Education Department to take up road side tree plantation and beautify the surrounding by adopting the roads in Shaheed Dweep.

At the stall of an NGO named ‘Kachrewale’, the Chief Secretary was explained about the problems & ill effects of ocean plastic wastes and also about the effort of the NGO towards creating awareness and collection & disposal of plastic waste. The Chief Secretary stated that a cleanliness drive campaign will be launched in a planned manner involving all stakeholders of Government and private sector.

The Chief Secretary also visited the stalls of Directorate of Health Services and A&N Police and interacted with the officials present and enquired about their activities. The function was also attended by the Secretary, RK Mission Port Blair, Swami Parthananda, visiting tourists and a good gathering of residents of Shaheed Dweep.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Mela Committee President and the Gram Panchayat Pradhan, Shaheed Dweep, Ms. Pinkey Das informed that since 1993, ‘Vivekananda Mela’ is organized at Shaheed Dweep involving all the people to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The Mela which inaugurated today will continue upto January 18 during which cultural programmes and sports events will be organized for the entertainment of the general public of Shaheed Dweep, she added. 30 stalls by private people including eatery stalls and 6 stalls of Govt. Departments depicting the Govt. schemes have been put up in the ‘Mela’.

Colorful cultural programmes viz. folk dances of different States and speech & skit on the life of Swami Vivekananda presented by the school students of Shaheed Dweep drew loud applause from the audience. The dance presented by the tiny tots of the Pre-primary section of GSSS Shaheed Dweep in colorful attire of different States giving the message of ‘Unity in Diversity’ was the highlight of the cultural programme. The inaugural function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Pramukh Panchayat Samity, Port Blair, Ms. Champa Das.