*::: Andaman Chronicle Updates :::* _*Please do share the updates with all you know…*_ *Join us on facebook today:* https://www.facebook.com/groups/andamanchronicle/ *Follow us on Twitter: @AndamanNews* *Do visit www.andamanchronicle.net for more on Andamans…* *Updates for* 04.02.2025 *EDITOR: DENIS GILES* --------------------------- *MG College in Association with DoEF Celebrates World Wetlands Day* *Mayabunder, Feb. 3:* World Wetlands Day is celebrated globally on 2nd February every year. This year, the Department of Geography, Mahatma Gandhi Government College Mayabunder in collaboration with the Department of Environment & Forest (DoEF), N&M Andaman, organized the celebration on 31st January 2025. The celebration began with a rally, flagged off by Dr. S. Dinesh Kannan, IFS, CCF at Helipad and concluded at Forest Club Mayabunder with an objective to sensitize the public about the importance of wetlands. Later, the gathering was addressed by Shri Thomas Varghese, DFO, Mayabunder. This was followed by address of CCF on the importance of biodiversity and its conservation strategies. Principal MGGC, Dr. B. Prabhuram also spoke on the occasion. Smti Monideepa Chowdary, ACF, Mayabunder Division proposed the vote of thanks. A beach cleanup drive and a mangrove plantation drive were held at Karmatang No. 9. During the beach cleanup drive, students of the Department of Geography, MGGC, collected and segregated around 16 bags of marine litter from the beach. The collected waste included plastic water bottles, juice bottles, glass bottles, beverage cans, food packaging wrappers, fishing gear and lures. The segregated waste was later handed over to the nearest Solid and Liquid Resource Management (SLRM) Center. The event concluded with a mangrove plantation drive, where students and faculty of the Department of Geography, MGGC, planted around 50 saplings of eight different mangrove species. https://andamanchronicle.net/index.php/33561-mg-college-in-association-with-doef-celebrates-world-wetlands-day ================ *Department of Agriculture Organises District Level Training on Scientific Bee Keeping* *Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb. 3:* The Department of Agriculture, A&N Administration, in collaboration with the National Bee Board, MoA&FW, New Delhi is organizing a two-days District Level Training Programme on ‘Scientific Bee Keeping - Role of Bees in Agriculture and its Economics’. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Jai Sunder, Director (I/c), CIARI as the chief guest in the presence of Padmashree, Smti Chellammal as guest of honour in the Conference Hall of Zonal Agriculture Office, Goalghar, South Andaman, today. The initiative aims to enhance knowledge and skills in scientific beekeeping practices. Beekeeping is vital for agriculture for its critical role in crop pollination and by-product collection. It enhances food production, conserves biodiversity, supports rural livelihoods, and promotes environmental sustainability. In his address, the chief guest, highlighted the significance of scientific beekeeping in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, considering its rich biodiversity, extensive forest cover, and favorable climatic conditions. He encouraged farmers and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to adopt beekeeping not only for honey production but also for its pollination benefits. He also emphasized beekeeping as a lucrative self-employment opportunity. In her address, the guest of honour shared her insights with the participants and emphasized on preservation of honey bees for increased agricultural production. She shared her experience on the benefits of beekeeping. Earlier, welcoming the gathering, Dr. S.C. Rekha, Joint Director (I/c) (Agri., HQ) highlighted the importance of beekeeping in agriculture and briefed about the Departmental activities related to beekeeping. During the technical session, various aspects of beekeeping were dealt in detail by the resource persons from CIARI and Department of Agriculture. Dr. Raj Narayan, Head, Horticulture, CIARI emphasized on the importance of beekeeping in horticultural crops while Shri D. Nagarajan, Assistant Director (Agri.) explained about the bee colonies and their communication. Shri Ravi Ch. Sutherdhar, Agriculture Officer provided detailed insights into the assembly and installation of bee hives. Dr. S.C. Rekha led an insightful discussion on ‘Developing Sustainable Beekeeping Practices’ focusing on the crucial role of bees in biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture while emphasizing eco-friendly beekeeping techniques. An in-depth session on health and disease management in honey bees was provided by Shri Navasakti, Assistant Director (Agri.) while Smti Pitchammal Beevi, Agriculture Officer/ In-charge, HVADA enlightened the gathering on honey bee management. The first day of the training programme concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where farmers had the opportunity to seek expert guidance on improving their beekeeping skills. Altogether 94 participants, including beekeepers, SHG members, and extension functionaries from the Department of Agriculture, actively participated in the training programme, gaining valuable insights into scientific beekeeping techniques. https://andamanchronicle.net/index.php/33560-department-of-agriculture-organises-district-level-training-on-scientific-bee-keeping ================ *Free Multi-Specialty Health Camp Organized by Transport Directorate in collaboration with ANIPPDA and Rotary Club* *Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 03:* A free multi-specialty health camp was organized on 22.01,2025 at the premises of the Transport Directorate in collaboration with the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Private Practicing Doctors Association and Rotary Club. The Multi-Specialty Health Camp received tremendous response. The event was attended by the Director and Assistant Director of the Transport Department, invited doctors, members of the Rotary Club, and department employees. The dignitaries and doctors were warmly welcomed with floral bouquets. On behalf of the Rotary Club, Senior Rotarian Shri. G. Dhinakaran urged everyone to derive maximum benefit from this event. Shri. Sagar Khurana and other senior member of Rotary Club also attended the programme. Addressing the gathering, the Assistant Director of the Transport Department emphasized the importance of road safety and the significance of health check-ups in conjunction with Road Safety Week. He pointed out that road safety is not only the responsibility of commercial drivers but also of all road users. He urged everyone to diligently follow traffic rules and safety guidelines, as India currently leads in road accident fatalities, which is a concerning issue. The speakers at the event highlighted the necessity of a healthy mind and body for safe driving and encouraged all attendees to take full advantage of the health camp. Following the formal addresses, the medical check-up camp commenced. Doctors from the Private Practicing Doctors Association provided free consultations and screenings for dental, eye, and ENT (ear, nose, and throat) health. The initiative aimed at ensuring the well-being of transport employees, enabling them to deliver efficient public services. During the event, speakers also underscored the importance of road safety measures such as avoiding overspeeding, refraining from drinking and driving, wearing helmets, and following traffic signals. Participants were urged to remain alert and cautious to prevent road accidents. https://andamanchronicle.net/index.php/33559-free-multi-specialty-health-camp-organized-by-transport-directorate-in-collaboration-with-anippda-and-rotary-club ================= *ANIIMS/ Health Department Constitutes Committee to Help Students Appearing Boards* *Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb. 3:* The students appearing in AISSCE & AISSE, 2025 may sometimes undergo mental stress and psychological pressure, especially the students appearing for AISSE, 2025 for the first time may be more vulnerable to stress and strain. In this context, the Directorate of Education in collaboration with the Officials of ANIIMS/Health Department has constituted a Committee comprising of the following members to provide assistance to all needy children to mitigate their mental stress and psychological pressure. The students can dial the numbers to seek redressal for their problems. 1) Dr. Anand Lingeswaran, Associate Professor / HoD, Dept. of Psychiatry, ANIIMS/ GBPH: 9443492050 2) Smti Archana Singh, Principal, GSSS Girls: 9434286163 3) Shri L Suku Rajan, Principal, GSSS Boys: 9434289630 4) Dr. Manoharan, Deputy Education Officer, W/Gunj: 9434283815 5) Shri J D Pushparaj, Principal, GSSS Bhatubasti: 9679507383 https://andamanchronicle.net/index.php/33558-aniims-health-department-constitutes-committee-to-help-students-appearing-boards ================= *Field day on Organic Integrated Farming System organized by ICAR- CIARI* *Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 3:* The ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Sri Vijaya Puram, organized a field day on “Organic Integrated Farming System” in collaboration with KVK, Port Blair, at its Garacharma experimental farm on 31.01.2025. A total of 20 farmers attended the programme. The event aimed to raise awareness about the integrated farming system and sensitize farmers to the potential benefits of tree, crop, and animal combinations for enhancing farm productivity. Dr. T. Subramani, Senior Scientist & Head of the NRM Division, explained various agronomic practices for improving vegetable yields. He emphasized the importance of organic cultivation practices and diversifying the island farming system by integrating multiple vegetables, spices, and fruits with animal and fish components to increase farm income and generate employment for farmers. Dr. Y. Ramakrishna, Head of KVK, South Andaman, highlighted the scope of the organic integrated farming system in the islands and discussed the crop calendar. He urged farmers to utilize the available technologies from the Institute for integrated farming and organic cultivation of vegetables, tubers, spices, and fruits, along with poultry, goat, and fish rearing. Dr. Abilash, Scientist, briefed the participants on the importance of weather-based farming practices and discussed rainfall trends and their influence on the integrated farming system. Dr. Talaviya Harshang Kumar, Scientist, provided deep insights into the impact of pesticide use in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries. He emphasized the significance of organic farming through an integrated approach in the islands. Dr. I. Jaisankar, Senior Scientist, explained the organic integrated farming system developed by the Institute and shared the outcomes of experiments involving various combinations of vegetables, tubers, spices, fodder, and fruit crops, along with the integration of goats, pigs, poultry, and fish. He elaborated on the management, yield, economics, and advantages of intermittent yields obtained from the system, as well as the cropping seasons. The programme was conducted under the guidance of Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijaya Puram. https://andamanchronicle.net/index.php/33557-field-day-on-organic-integrated-farming-system-organized-by-icar-ciari-2 ================= *Awareness Programme on PM Vishwakarma Scheme Organised at Haddo* *Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb. 3:* Branch MSME-Development & Facilitation Office (Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India), Sri Vijaya Puram in coordination with A&N Administration organized an ‘Awareness Programme on PM Vishwakarma Scheme’ today at SVPMC Community Hall, Haddo, Sri Vijaya Puram for Prospective/Existing PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries & Traditional artisans and Craftspeople of 18 Trades covered under the PM Vishwakarma scheme. More than 50 potential PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries from the 18 trades of PM Vishwakarma scheme participated in the programme. The 18 Trades covered under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme are- Carpenter (Suthar), Boat Maker, Armourer, Blacksmith (Lohar), Hammer and Tool Kit Maker, Locksmith, Goldsmith (Sunar), Potter (Kumhaar), Sculptor (Moortikar/Stone carver/Stone breaker), Cobbler (Charmkar/Shoesmith/Footwear artisan), Mason (Raajmistri), Basket Maker (Basket Waver/Mat maker/Coir Weaver/Broom Maker), Doll & Toy Maker (Traditional), Barber (Naai), Garland Maker (Malakaar), Washerman (Dhobi), Tailor (Darzi), Fishing Net Maker. The objective of the programme is to increase outreach and enrolments of potential beneficiaries under the PM Vishwakarma scheme especially in the Districts where there is low enrolments of specific trades, despite the presence of prospective beneficiaries. The Assistant Director (In-charge), Branch MSME-DFO, Sri Vijaya Puram, Shri G.K Sinha enumerated on different Schemes of Ministry of MSME. The Deputy Director (Industries), A&N Administration, Shri Ajit Anand motivated the participants to get themselves enrolled under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. The Chief Manager, UTLBC, SBI, Sri Vijaya Puram, Shri P.K Umar Farooq explained the documentation and process of availing loan from the Banks under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. The Centre Superintendent, Common Service Centre Education & Training Academy, Sri Vijaya Puram, Shri Dheeraj Sharma explained the process and role of CSC in registration of new beneficiaries under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. A technical session was also held. https://andamanchronicle.net/index.php/33556-awareness-programme-on-pm-vishwakarma-scheme-organised-at-haddo =============== *DM South Andaman Notifies Half Road Closure* *Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb. 3:* In exercise of power conferred under M.V. Act 1988 (Act No.59 of 1988) read with Administration’s Notification No./2008/F.No.32-95/2008-TR. Dated 10th March, 2008, the District Magistrate, South Andaman has notified for the information of all concerned that the construction of RCC Box culvert works will start w.e.f 05.02.2025 to 21.03.2025 & 22.03.2025 to 06.05.2025 in front of Law College and Store Division. The said roads will be closed half portion w.e.f 05.02.2025 to 21.03.2025 & 22.03.2025 to 06.05.2025. Hence, all the traffic/vehicle movement through half portion of the above stretch road would be closed from 05.02.2025 to 21.03.2025 & 22.03.2025 to 06.05.2025 and the traffic would be allowed in the remaining half portion of the road. https://andamanchronicle.net/index.php/33555-dm-south-andaman-notifies-half-road-closure ================ *Last date for January -2025 re-registration extended for IGNOU learners* *Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 3:* Re-registration for the next semester/year of a programme of Second and third year UG degree learners and second year PG learners of IGNOU has extended by competent authority upto 15th February 2024. IGNOU reregistration is compulsory if the students wish to continue attend the counselling classes in the next semester, submit assignments and appear for Term End Examination. The Re-registration form for all programmes shall be submitted through the online portal https://onlinerr.ignou.ac.in. Kindly visit IGNOU website www.ignou.ac.in (student section-admission) to initiate the re-registration process. If a learner faces any difficulty in filling the online form, kindly contact to IGNOU Regional Centre, Port Blair, opposite to Air Cargo Complex, VIP Road, Junglighat P.O. Port Blair. Phone: 03192-242888 or 03192-230111, Email: [email protected]. https://andamanchronicle.net/index.php/33554-last-date-for-january-2025-re-registration-extended-for-ignou-learners ================= *Bob’s Banter by Robert Clements* *Joggers Park..!* Clippity clop, clippity clop, clippity clop, went her slippers. Her husband had brought her sick from the village last week. He was the caretaker of the park. “You can walk in the park every morning,” he had told her, “you’ll get better.” And so she did. Clippity clop, clippity clop, clippity clop, went her slippers. Reactions were varied. Some scowled, some looked at her with disapproval. Others shook their heads, looked at her then looked at each other. They came home that evening, Members of the committee. They called her husband out and spoke to him in hushed tones. “She can’t walk in the park,” they said. “She’s got diabetes,” her husband whispered. “She needs to walk.” “No rubber slippers,” they said firmly. “Maybe barefoot. Less noise.” “Can’t cut my feet,” she whispered to the walls, “doctor said be careful!” “You can’t walk in the park,” her husband said as he entered the hut. “But you are the caretaker,” she whispered. “You keep the park clean so they can walk?” “Too much noise from your chappals,” he said wearily. “Can’t you walk outside on the road?” She looked at him. He nodded. He knew she had blacked out twice and was scared to go out alone. “Walk barefoot then,” he whispered and shook his head immediately. She couldn’t cut her feet again. He had been there when the doctor had read out her sugar count. “Walk,” said the doctor. “You are lucky. You live inside Joggers Park. You can walk all the time!” She searched for shoes the next morning. “People throw away their old pairs when they get a new one,” she told her husband. The rubbish dumps yielded pairs that were too small, big or some whose insides would have cut her feet to pieces. She found two singles. One red, the other once white. They fitted well. She stood in front of her husband wearing them, overjoyed. “You can’t,” he said quietly as he looked at her feet. “Why?” she asked. He looked sadly at the morning walkers. “They won’t like those,” he said. She went back to the dump and threw them away, wearily. She fished under her bed that night and pulled out her old tin trunk. “What are you looking at?” he asked angrily as she pushed back the photo of a fifteen year old boy; their son. It was five years. No news. “I don’t want to be a gardener,” he had said. She had heard the slap and heard him packing that night. “Don’t go,” she had cried. He had hugged her and left when his father slept. “What will you do?” she had cried out as she ran after him. “I’ll work as a truck cleaner ma,” he had said, “I’ll see the world. Don’t worry.” She missed him. Next morning she saw the letter. It was from him. He drove a lorry. There was a photo. He looked happy, handsome. “Ma,” he wrote. “Do you need anything?” “Walking shoes,” she wrote on the post card and sent it to the transport company address. She watched the others as they walked next morning. She chuckled to herself. She looked at their shoes. “Mine will be better,” she thought and chuckled again. She had another blackout, outside, on the road. The doctor shook his head. “Diabetic Coma,” he whispered. “Take her to the hospital.” He took her home. She died without too much trouble. The postman brought a parcel. He tore it open. “For you ma,” the note said. That evening joggers for once stopped their walk as the funeral bier was carried out. They looked at each other. They frowned. “Why would a corpse have on a new pair of walking shoes?” they wondered, then they continued walking..!. *[email protected]* https://andamanchronicle.net/index.php/features/33553-joggers-park ================