Port
Blair, Nov 7: The Lt. Governor, A&N Islands & Vice Chairman, Islands
Development Agency, Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.) as the
chief guest formally inaugurated the 10-day annual carnival, the Island Tourism
Festival at the ITF Ground here this evening. The Member of Parliament, A&N
Islands, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Smt. Vinita Sharma, Chief Secretary, A&N
Administration, Shri Chetan B. Sanghi, Adhyaksh Zilla Parishad, South Andaman,
Shri Subir Chander, Chairperson PBMC, Shri NK Udhaya Kumar, DGP, Shri Dependra
Pathak, Padma Shree Awardee, Shri Naresh Chandra Lal, the ex-MP, Shri Bishnu
Pada Ray, Smt. Rupa Ray, Senior Officers of the A&N Administration were
present on the occasion. The inaugural ceremony had to be postponed yesterday
due to inclement weather conditions.
Addressing
the gathering, the Lt. Governor expressed his happiness to be part of the Islands
Tourism Festival- 2019 and thanked the cultural contingents from different
States and UTs for participating in the cultural extravaganza, which he said,
has added value to this 10-day festival.
The
Lt Governor said, tourism is the life line of these Islands. As these Islands
are rich in green cover, there is very little scope for development of other
industries. Keeping in mind the great potential in the tourism sector, we have
to promote tourism in such a way so that it becomes a major Industry in these
Islands.
The
Lt. Governor said, as per the valuable suggestion made by the Member of
Parliament, ITF will be celebrated in a broader scale next year and suggestions
from other stake holders will also be incorporated so that the profile of ITF
can be improved further and it can be organized in National and International
standard.
As
far as tourism in these Islands is concerned, the A&N Islands witnessed a
huge arrival of tourists in the year 2018, which crossed the 5 lakh mark. Every
effort will be made by the A&N Administration to provide all required
facilities to the tourists so that more tourists visit these Islands making
them the most sought after tourism destination.
For
the growth of tourism in these Islands, the Lt Governor said, under the aegis
of Islands Development Agency (IDA), various tourism development projects are
in the pipe line. Informing about some of the projects, the Lt. Governor said
that last week, the A&N Administration received approval for 4 major
tourism projects for these Islands. The Request For Qualification (RFQ) i.e
commercial bid has been issued and an investors’ meet for the same will be held
on Nov.13, 2019 at Prasar Bharati Bhawan, New Delhi, which will be attended by
the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration. A similar meet will also be held
at Cochin on Nov. 20, in which all the potential investors have been invited.
The
Lt. Governor further informed that as per the schemes/tourism projects, minimum
60 percent employment has been reserved for the local youths of these Islands.
Maintaining the environmental concerns and sustainability norms, these projects
will be executed in conformity with the International parameters of ‘global
green’, ‘grameen’ and ‘greha’. The A&N Administration is expected to
receive commercial bid in next month for projects at Smith & Ross, Aves,
Long Island and Shaheed Dweep and early next year, these projects will be
brought to contract stage as these projects will be executed on eco-norms, and
will be completed and made functional within one year’s time, the Lt Governor
said. In the coming one or two years, the Islanders can witness a paradigm
shift in the profile of tourism sector here.
Apart
from these 4 projects which are going to unfold, the RFQ for selection of
Consultant for the next 12 projects, which will cover Diglipur to Little
Andaman Island has been issued. These projects will ensure the spread of
tourism project from North to South. Keeping in mind Responsible Tourism
Development, the A&N Administration is making every effort to extend
tourist attractions in different Islands, which is currently confined to only
two or three Islands, he said.
In
the coming two years, the connectivity issue will be solved, the basic
infrastructure required for the tourism promotion such as air connectivity,
under which the Administration has removed the Restricted Area Permit, and
immigration facility has been started, by which foreign tourists are being
provided Visa on arrival and e-visa to those countries with which we have
reciprocal arrangements. With all these initiative in place, the Islanders will
witness a better tourism profile in the coming two years’ time, the Lt.
Governor added.
The
Lt Governor also released a book, written by Dr. Mohd. Rehan Raza- ‘The Great
Nicobar Island: India’s Southern Fortune’, which highlights the geo-strategic
and geo-economic significance of Great Nicobar Island and is a rare and
exclusive compilation of all the unexplored potential tourism destinations in
that area.
Speaking
on the occasion, the Member of Parliament, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma remarked
that the ‘Island Tourism Festival’, earlier known as ‘Islands on the March’
held at Marina Park on a small scale, where cultural programmes were presented
by the local artistes, has garnered more importance with the passage of time
and now has its reach across the globe. He said, the Island Tourism Festival
has become the most awaited festivals by the Islanders as it offers a platform
for them to join in the revelries ranging from colorful cultural programmes to
exciting shows and activities. The MP suggested that a tag line/theme be created
for the Island Tourism Festival each year, to showcase the rich tribes, forest,
culture, tradition and heritage of the A&N Islands to the world. Apart from
this, stalls highlighting the wealth of the Islands should also be included, he
opined.
The
MP also mentioned that the Island Tourism Festival is being watched live in
over 200 countries across the world and we must make them a part of this
festival by highlighting the strength of the A&N Islands, which reflects
the essence of a true Mini India and communal harmony. He also suggested that
rain tourism be promoted during rainy season, so as to facilitate tourism
activities in the Islands throughout the year besides providing incentives to
tour operators and discount for tourists so that more tourists are attracted to
these Islands even in monsoon.
The
MP also urged the Tourism Department to take the spirit of festivities to every
nook and corners of the Islands for the benefit of the Islanders residing in
far off places, so that they can get the opportunity to witness the cultural
programmes by various artistes and cultural troops from mainland.
Earlier,
welcoming the gathering, the Secretary Tourism, A&N Administration, Dr.
Pooja Joshi said, to make the Island Tourism Festival-2019 a more appealing and
different event from the last one, a lot of thoughts and suggestions have been
incorporated. She also invited everyone to come and be a part of the ten
day-long celebration and make it a memorable event.
Meanwhile,
the road leading to the ITF has been decked with colorful lights and the air of
festivity can be seen and felt at the ITF Ground. The second day of the
festival saw crowds of all ages enjoying the cultural programmes with
exuberance. The traditional couture of Octave artistes of the North Eastern
States, which showcased the beauty of their tradition and culture received a
standing ovation from the dignitaries and the crowd while a creative
presentation by Sapphire Creations, West Bengal also mesmerized the gathering.
Other cultural programme included live musical orchestra presented by Avinash
Social & Cultural Society followed by musical programme by BRW Musical
Wing, performances by Jhumurr (Sastriya-Lok) Nitryagan, programme by Sur Sangam
Cultural Forum and a dance on Bollywood songs by Kasheesh. Apart from this,
stalls selling varieties of food items ranging from home made snacks to fast
food and regional cuisines are a hit among the visitors. Stalls selling
handicrafts items and home wares have also been set up at the ITF ground for
people to check out various items.
