Sri Vijaya Puram, April 12: Teressa Island’s remote village of Chukmachi has now found a new space for energy, sports, and community bonding. A bustling playground was inaugurated and dedicated for public use in a brief function held on 8th April, 2026, in the presence of Shri Mohammed Yunus M, Block Development Officer, Nancowry, along with community representatives and village elders.
The ground was developed under the employment guarantee programme of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India – Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Grameen), with the active participation of local village workers, reflecting a strong sense of ownership and community spirit.
The primary objective of the work was to create a dedicated and accessible space for recreation, sports, and physical activity for the youth of the village, while also promoting community engagement and well-being. The initiative aims to encourage healthy lifestyles, nurture local sporting talent, and provide a common platform for social interaction and unity among the residents. The work was sanctioned and approved by Shri. Amit Kale, IAS, Deputy Commissioner – Nicobars for an amount of Rs.1,87,083/- generating a total of 503 persondays wage employment for the local community. The work was executed by the Community Development Block, Nancowry under the overall supervision of Assistant Commissioner, Nancowry.
On the occasion, a football tournament titled “Abner Harry Memorial Tournament” was also kickstarted by the chief guest, with five tuhet-based teams participating in the event. Speaking on the occasion, the Block Development Officer congratulated the village community on the creation of the new public asset and urged them to ensure its proper utilization and sustained maintenance.