Port Blair, July 14: A&N Islands is all set to host the first fest of this season, the two-day ‘Monsoon Tourism Festival-2023’ being organized by the Tourism Department in association with all line Departments of A&N Administration and tourism stakeholders beginning tomorrow evening (July 15) at Corbyn's Cove Beach from 4 pm to 9 pm. As part of the festival, Rain Dance Competition and Rain Photography Competition are being organized. For the rain dance competition, on the spot entries will be accepted. All Islanders have been welcomed to visit the festival and join in the rain dance featuring DJ.

Port Blair, July 14: The passing out ceremony of the 51st Batch of Foresters was held at Forest Training Institute, Wimberlygunj today. The ceremony marked the end of the one year basic forestry training of 16 newly recruited Foresters. Dr. T. S. Ashok Kumar, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Env. & Forests), Andaman & Nicobar Islands, who was the chief guest of the function, planted sapling of Khatta Phal (Baccaurea sapida) inside the campus of FTI and received guard of honour from the outgoing trainees during the passing-out parade. He gave away the Course Completion Certificates to the trainees.

Port Blair, July 14: The Department of Art & Culture, A&N Administration has invited artists to participate in designing new logo for the Union Territory of A&N Administration. Participants should provide High -Resolution Logo in .psd/.ai format. The winner of the competition shall be required to submit the design in an editable and open file format. Logo should be designed in colour. The size of the logo may vary from 5 cm X 5 cm to 60 cm x 60 cm in either portrait or landscape. The Logo should be in high resolution with minimum 300 DPI. All entries received would be scrutinized by a Selection Committee.

Port Blair, July 14: The Department of Social Welfare in collaboration with Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCAs) & Police Department organized an awareness programmes for the students and teachers of Govt. Girls Sr. Sec. School today. 170 students including teachers were sensitized on ‘Ill Effects of Alcohol and Drug Abuse’ under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan during the programme.

Port Blair, July 14: Passengers/general public have been informed that due to Administrative reasons, the scheduled departure of the vessel MV Swaraj Dweep from Chennai to Port Blair on 27.07.2023 at 1600 hrs has been postponed. Now, the vessel will sail for Port Blair on 31.07.2023 at 1600 hrs from Chennai Port.

Further, the passengers holding the tickets of MV Swaraj Dweep for the sailing of 27th July, 2023 have been informed to avail the sailing on 31.07.2023 from Chennai with the same ticket. Passengers can also get update/status of the vessels from the Information Counter at Phoenix Bay by using the Number 03192 – 245555/232714 & Toll Free Number 18003452714 & Chennai Counter Number 044-25226873.