World Congress on Leptospirosis held at ICMR-RMRC, Port Blair

Port Blair, Nov 20: The Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) Port Blair, World Health Organisation (WHO) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) jointly organised a two day World Congress on Leptospirosis at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Auditorium of RMRC on Nov 18 & 19, 2019. The event was formally inaugurated on Nov 18 in the conference hall of RMRC, Port Blair.

Addressing the inaugural function, Dr. Nhu Nguyen Tran Minh, Team Leader at WHO Country Office, India World Health Organization, said that the WHO is looking forward to the documentation of the outcome of the congress that will be drafted at the end of congress. He said that a special session was conducted to get suggestions of delegates from various countries regarding the current burden of leptospirosis in their respective countries and on management of leptospirosis.

Dr. John Timony of Kentucky University, who chaired the inaugural function, suggested that a document collating all the recommendations of the congress may be brought out as "Port Blair Declarations on Leptospirosis".

Dr. Marga Goris of the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), Amsterdam, the Netherlands, told that the International Society will take appropriate action based on the experiences on addressing the challenge of leptospirosis shared by the delegates during the sessions.

Dr. P. Vijayachari welcomed all the delegates and spoke on the genesis and importance of the congress in the context of the global climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shiv Shanker Singh, Senior Medical Consultant, G.B. Pant Hospital said that the RMRC not only identified the cause of Andaman Haemorrhagic Fever as Leptospira but has made tremendous contributions in understanding various diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya and pandemic Influenza in the islands. The Congress will conclude today and will be followed by an International Training Workshop on Laboratory Methods on Leptospirosis, in which participants from several Southeast Asian countries are participating. 

Sixty eight delegates are participating in the congress, which includes 23 delegates are from 11 countries viz. USA, Brazil, The Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Iran, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand and 16 national experts.

Shri Kuldeep shares his vision for A&N Islands' development

Port Blair, Nov 20: As part of National Press Day celebration, all media persons were felicitated on Nov 17, 2019 by Cooperative Sector, A&N islands at a function at Megapode Resort, Port Blair.

Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament and Chairman, Project Coordination Committee, National Cooperative Union of India said, media here has been contributing immensely in the progress and development by way of disseminating useful and relevant information. It has been bringing issues concerning the people lands before the society, system and administration which the authorities strive to resolve. In its bid to pay back their dues, since last 2-3 years, the Cooperative Sector has been felicitating the media persons for their outstanding contributions in the society at large, he said. He also narrated about how cooperative sector has been striving to bring positive changes in the society and help improve the life of the people of the islands. He said that as a Member of Parliament, he has been focusing on four vital issues. The first being water which he said is an important component of life. He has submitted proposals to the UT administration on enhancing the water storage capacity. He stated that while UTs like Delhi provides water to crores of people with marginal rainfall, we have not been unable to provide adequate quantity of water to a population of around 4 lakh despite receiving more than 3000 mm of rainfall annually.  "I have always wished people of these islands should get adequate and quality water 24x7 round the year. In the past, I proposed development of catchment areas from Buniyadabad to Dundus Point Jetty so as to ensure optimal use of rainwater. Similarly, water supply projects at Flat Bay, Rutland, Phongy Balu should be expedited. All these sources can be connected with pipelines so that water can be supplied to any region that experiences water shortage. Construction of rain water reservoirs, lakes, ponds etc in different parts of these islands will also help solve this problem to a great extent. Tapping water sources in Great Nicobar Island can also generate employment if water is exported to dry States like Chennai and supplied to cargo ships passing through the Malacca Straits as per their requirement. Even water can be transported to areas like Diglipur by laying pipelines from Port Blair to Diglipur.

The other important sector is tourism which has tremendous growth potential to generate employment. However, promotion of tourism hugely depends on availability of abundance water. Tourism can generate both revenue and employment if the water issue is resolved and our Islands become a surplus water State. Improvement in the health sector is also a focus area for the Member of Parliament. He is of the view that despite adequate funds, the Health sector here still needs massive improvement. Health sector in the islands can be improved only when each and every health centre, spread across the islands are provided with proper health care facilities, latest and innovative technology, health care equipments, staff & doctors. Improvement in the sports sector is another focus area, the Member of Parliament is working on. He said that there is a need to generate the interest of the youth towards sports and games. In view of the facts that the younger generations are more inclined towards drugs and banned substances, more sports infrastructure facilities should be created so that more and more youth can be motivated towards sports and games. He also informed that he has provided funds under MPLAD for renovation and repair of three stadiums in the Islands. He said the development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can be possible only when the islands have its own Legislative Assembly. Unless until a Legislative Assembly is formed in the islands. He further informed that he has placed three bills pertaining to the development of the islands for discussion in this session of Parliament.

National Press Day celebrated befittingly in isles

Port Blair, Nov 20: The Directorate of Information, Publicity and Tourism, A & N Administration along with the local media fraternity celebrated National Press Day at Megapode Resort on Nov 16, 2019. The programme was begun with a fabulous welcome song by the students of RGT Public School.

Meanwhile, a seminar on the topic 'Reporting-Interpretation: A Journey' was organized on the occasion. The Secretary, IP&T, Dr Pooja Joshi was the chief guest of the function, while the Director, IP&T, Dr. Angel Bhati Chauhan and Deputy Director, PIB, Port Blair, Mr Nilesh Kumar Kalbhor graced the occasion as the guests of honor.

Greeting the media fraternity, Dr Pooja Joshi, said that freedom of press is essence of a vibrant democracy. "Since the country's independence, the media has been playing a vital role. The theme for this year's celebration not only applies for the media but for the society as a whole. There should be a difference between view and viewpoint," she said. Mr Nilesh Kumar Kalbhor also spoke on the occasion.

A&N Islands bags Runners-up Conde Nast Traveler India Readers Travel Awards-2019

Port Blair, Nov 20: The Andaman & Nicobar Islands has bagged the Runners-up Conde Nast Traveller India Readers Travel Awards-2019 in the emerging destination category. At the 9th Conde Nast Traveller India Readers Travel Awards-2019, held at ITC Maurya, New Delhi yesterday (Nov.19, 2019), the Jt. Residence Commissioner, A & N Administration, Shri Kuldip Singh Thakur received the award on behalf of the Administration.

The ceremony was witnessed by several eminent personalities, who are in the field of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Health, Trade and Investment from India and Foreign countries. The Runners-up award conferred to the Andaman & Nicobar Administration will promote the Islands as the most sought after tourism destination not only in India but in foreign countries as well.

The Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Travel Awards are considered the 'Oscars of Travel' in Indian Travels and hospitality industry for good reason. Their readers are the most discerning travelers out there and they recognize the best of the best. This Excellence Awards reflects the fact that travel is impacted by so many different forces i.e. art, culture, the conservation of our nature and heritage.

The Annual Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Travel Awards has set the benchmarks in the hospitality and travel industry year on year, since its inception in 1989 in the United States of America.

The Readers' Travel Award-2019 winners will be featured in Conde Nast Traveller India's December 2019 - January 2020 issue.

ANC organises MSMC at Kamorta

Port Blair, Nov 20: As part of the Navy Week 2019 celebrations, the Navy Component under the aegis of Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) organised a Multi-Speciality Medical Camp (MSMC) recently at Kamorta Island. The camp was jointly conducted by INHS Dhanvantari and INS Kardip, in coordination with Community Health Centre (CHC), Nancowrie group of islands. The camp was inaugurated by Cdr Phani Kumar Nandedla, Commanding Officer, INS Kardip.

A group of five specialists including Dental Surgeon, Psychiatrist, Medical Specialist, Paediatrician and Ophthalmologist, along with the Medical Officer of INS Kardip and two medical sailors from INHS Dhanvantari, conducted a multi-speciality clinic for the local population of the island of Kamorta. The Medical Specialist and Paediatrician also reviewed the admitted patients of the CHC and offered their expert advice on treatment. The camp met with an enthusiastic response from the locals, and the CHC received over 100 patients.