Andamans diary

Ferry for volcano watchers

The Shipping Department of Andaman and Nicobar Islands started a ferry service on October 18, 2018 to India’s lone active volcano on Barren Island, and the first ferry was a great hit with the Islanders. Not many tourists could utilize this opportunity due to the short notice about the launch of the service. Passengers on the first trip saw lava spewing from the volcano, which they said was a breathtaking experience. The stakeholders in the tourism industry are hoping that the ferry service will continue at least for this tourist season.

MP discusses PM’s agenda during visit

Bishnu Pada Ray, the Lok Sabha MP from Andamans, recently met the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and suggested issues that could be taken up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the islands. The issues are laying of the foundation stone for a 50 MW LNG-based power plant at Hope Town in Ferrargunj tehsil; release of a postage stamp and coins in the memory of Subhas Chandra Bose, who hoisted the Indian flag for the first time in the Gymkhana Ground, now named Netaji Stadium, on December 30, 1943; implementation of the recommendations of the Vivek Rae Committee on regularization of excess land under occupation of pre-61 settlers; supply of sugar at subsidized rates and restoration of the quantum of rice for APL families.

Getting ready for Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands in December 2018, and the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has already started making preparations for the visit. New road laying works have been planned, work on a new solar power station is going to start, and it is believed that the Shibpur Naval Airbase in Diglipur will be opened for use by the PM during his visit. The most awaited programme will be the launch of work for an undersea optical fibre cable from Chennai to Port Blair. Although no official confirmation for any programme is forthcoming, preparations are in full swing so that Modi gets a good impression about Andaman during his visit.

Castaway fisherman reunited with family

The castaway fisherman from North Andaman’s Diglipur Island who somehow reached Myanmar nearly one month ago, has been reunited with his family members in Andaman. According to reports, after staying for over a month in Myanmar, the fisherman, Bishwanath Roy, 55, returned to Kolkata on October 4 and went back to Port Blair on October 14. Both Indian and Myanmar authorities played a key role in getting the poor fisherman back to his village in North Andaman.

Sanjib Kumar Roy

Our correspondent in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

laurelsforsanjib@gmail.com