Sri Vijaya Puram, July 12: The Summer Sailing Camp for school children, organised by the Andaman Nicobar Sailing Club—an initiative of ANIIDCO Limited concluded on 11th July 2026 with a sailing demonstration by the participating children at the Water Sports Complex, Marina Park. The Chief Secretary, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, as the chief guest distributed certificates to the top 10 student sailors during the closing ceremony. The Commissioner-cum-Secretary, A&N Administration, Ms. Chanchal Yadav, IAS, the Director of IP&T, Shri Vinayak Chamadia, IAS, the SP (District), Ms. Shweta Sugathan, IPS, Commodore Nitesh Garg, NAVCC, A&N Command, officials from the Skiff Sailing Association, proud parents, and children were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Secretary expressed happiness over the successful conduct of the Sailing Camp and congratulated ANIIDCO for organising the event for the benefit of school children, enabling them to acquire valuable sailing skills. He said that events of such magnitude instil among students the values of discipline, punctuality, comradeship, fearlessness, and teamwork. These qualities, he added, help children become more responsible, resilient, and better prepared to face future challenges.
Referring to the successful conduct of the recent surfing festival in Little Andaman, the Chief Secretary said that the Andaman & Nicobar Islands offer immense potential for the development of a wide range of water sports. Tourists visiting the Islands increasingly prefer engaging in water-based recreational activities. Therefore, he stressed the need to introduce greater variety in water sports to attract more tourists while also encouraging islanders to actively participate in such activities.
The Chief Secretary distributed certificates to the 10 sailors selected to undergo a year-long training programme in preparation for the National Sailing Championship to be held in mainland. He also flagged off and witnessed a sailing demonstration by the top 10 student sailors of the camp.
In her address, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, A&N Administration, Ms. Chanchal Yadav, expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the initiative, especially the instructors and trainers, whose dedication played a vital role in the successful conduct of the programme. She expressed happiness over the overwhelming response from the islanders, particularly the enthusiastic participation of children, and thanked the parents for reposing their faith in the initiative by encouraging their children to take up sailing.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary said that sailing, being an environmentally friendly sport, aligns well with the vision of promoting sustainable tourism in the Islands. She added that the Tourism Department aims to integrate sailing and other eco-friendly water sports into the tourism sector, thereby creating new opportunities for sustainable tourism while generating livelihood opportunities for local youth. She also thanked Shri Amish Ved and his team from the Skiff Sailing Association, the Indian Navy, and the Police Marine Force for their support in the successful conduct of the event. She, along with the SP (District), distributed participation certificates to all the children who took part in the Summer Sailing Camp.
In his address, Shri Amish Ved of the Skiff Sailing Association expressed happiness over the overwhelming response from the children to the camp. Commodore Nitesh Garg, NAVCC, A&N Command, expressed hope that such sailing camps would become a regular programme for the benefit of the people of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Secretary of the Andaman Nicobar Sailing Club, Shri Mohd. Pervaiz, said that the sailing camp had helped children develop confidence, resilience, teamwork, and leadership qualities. He further informed that there are plans to host a National Sailing Championship in December this year in collaboration with the Tourism Department and the Skiff Sailing Association.
The student sailors, parents and instructors shared their experience during the summer sailing camp.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by the Treasurer of the Club, Shri Raghu Ram.