Andaman and Nicobar AdministrationDirectorate of IP&T

Information & Publicity Division

Port Blair October 31, 2015.

Press Release

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrated in Isles LG, MP flag off ‘Run for Unity’ from Netaji Stadium

Port Blair, Oct.31: The entire Nation celebrated Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) today with befitting programmes, to mark the 140th birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of Independent India, who played pivotal role in the freedom struggle of the country. These Islands also celebrated National Unity Day with the rest of the country today.

To mark the occasion, a ‘Run for Unity’ was organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs here this morning. The Lt. Governor, Lt. Gen. A K Singh (Retd.), chief guest of the function and the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray jointly flagged off the Run from the historic Netaji Stadium. The Lt. Governor administered the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge to the participants on the occasion. The Lt. Governor and the Member of Parliament also joined the Run.

The Adhyaksha, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman, Smt. Minati Biswas, Chairperson PBMC, Smt. Sheela Singh, senior officers of the Administration and about 1000 people from all walks of life, young and old, men and women alike, participated in the Run for Unity.

The Run passed through Clock Tower, Model Senior Secondary School, Post Office, Bengali Club, Chief Engineer Office, Lighthouse opposite LIC Building, Gandhi Statue, Clock Tower, Y Narayan Junction and culminated at the Stadium.

1

LG lays foundation stone for ANCOLReiterates commitment of the Administration &

elected representatives towards providing quality education to Isles’ students

________________________________________________Calls upon youth to look at future with hope of success & joy________________________________________________

_

Port Blair, Oct. 31: The Andaman & Nicobar College (ANCOL) will have its own building, that too in a picturesque location at Chakkargaon here as the Lt. Governor, Lt. Gen A.K. Singh (Retd.) today laid the foundation stone for the new building of ANCOL. The Lt Governor, as the chief guest, unveiled the plaque marking the foundation stone laying ceremony for the project at a

2

function held at the site at Chakkargaon. He also inspected the layout plan of the new building.

The function was also graced by the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, the Adhyaksha, Zila Parishad, South Andaman, Smt. Minati Biswas, Chairperson PBMC, Smt. Sheela Singh. The Chief Secretary (i/c), A&N Administration, Shri Raajiv Yaduvanshi other elected members of civic body and Panchayati Raj Institutions, senior officers of the Administration, students of the College, proud parents and a good gathering of general public were part of this auspicious ceremony.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Lt. Governor highlighted that education is the most important issue for the entire nation today and the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi also lays great emphasis on education of the children, leading to progress of entire nation.

The A&N Administration too, since the last two years, has been focusing more on education, and as part of this endeavour, efforts are being made to ensure that our children are provided quality education and good infrastructure facilities in schools, said the Lt. Governor. “The Islands are the first in the country to provide separate toilets for girls & boys and it will be ensured that better toilet facilities are available in all the schools”, he added.

The Lt Governor stated that starting the college (ANCOL), was possible as the Administration was determined to go ahead with the project without any delay, and, as a result, ANCOL started functioning from the premises of Haddo School (Hindi Medium) in July 2014. The Lt. Governor thanked the students studying in Haddo School at that time, and their parents, who voluntarily gave Haddo School for starting ANCOL, while the APWD gave it a facelift immediately.

Responding to the demand made by the MP, the Lt Governor directed the Principle Secy. (Education) to prepare a plan within a week to see the possibilities of starting Smart Classes in a phased manner and to make use of V-Sat facilities to start tele-education in Schools.

About the new upcoming building of ANCOL, the Lt Governor stated that this new college will be one of the best colleges in the Islands due to its picturesque location. “ANCOL is not only for Port Blair but has been created for the students of the entire Islands”, he said. The Lt. Governor also mentioned that JNRM, Port Blair and MGGC, Mayabunder will be further upgraded/improved in all aspects. He also directed the concerned authorities to look into the possibilities of starting science stream at Mayabunder College.

3

The Lt. Governor also called for ensuring quality of education for the students of the Islands so that they are able to compete with their counterparts on the mainland and prove themselves. “We have a large number of committed and qualified teachers who must find motivation to deliver the best for the betterment of the students”, he said adding that the Education Department and its faculty are responsible for ensuring quality education to students.

The Lt Governor also informed the gathering about the proposal for creating a University for Andaman & Nicobar Islands and also mentioned that preliminary works for starting a Law College in these Islands have already begun. The Lt. Governor also mentioned that in due course, a Paramedic Institute, under the Medical College will be opened here.

Turning to the youth of the Islands, the Lt. Governor said that the A&N Administration, all elected representatives are focussed to give them a right platform and quality education so that they grow up into vibrant persons and good citizens of the country. He called upon the youth to work from the hope of success and not for fear of failure. “Live for hope, not despair. We must look at the future with hope of success and joy”, said the Lt. Governor in his message to Isles’ youth.

The Lt. Governor concluded by complementing the team of the Education Department for their hard work in materializing the dream of ANCOL, APWD team for their support in coming up with a world class construction of this College building. The Lt. Governor also dedicated the College (ANCOL), to the citizens of the A&N Islands.

In his address on the occasion, the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray wholeheartedly praised the Lt Governor for starting the ANCOL and laying the foundation for the new building. “The credit for opening of this College in such a short span of time goes undoubtedly to the Lt. Governor”, said the MP. He said that the ANCOL, started under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Ministry of Human Resource Development aiming at providing strategic funding to eligible states for creating higher educational institutions. Under this, he said two third funds will be met by the Govt of India and Administration has to provide one third amount for the project.

Referring to ‘Smart Class’, a dream of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the MP urged the Administration to introduce Smart Classes in schools of these islands soon. To begin with, smart classes should be started in streams such as Maths, English and Science initially, he added.

4

The MP requested the Administration to start tele-education by utilising V - Satellite facilities in Isles. Citing that many schools are having V-Sat facility, the MP urged the Education Department to start Tele-Education from Boys and Rabindra Bangla Schools and later cover other schools as well.

The MP also urged the Administration to make a strong proposal for setting up of ‘Andaman & Nicobar University’ with the Central Govt. He also opined that more students should be admitted in ANCOL. The MP also asked the Administration for making regular appointments of lecturers in ANCOL through UPSC selection as there exists a good number of well qualified teachers in these Islands.

Earlier, welcoming the chief guest and others, the Principle Secretary (Education), Shri Raajiv Yaduvanshi stated that construction of this College at this beautiful location at Chakkargaon has been possible following the decision of the Lt. Governor in this direction. He thanked the APWD for carrying out the construction work and mentioned that the construction will be completed by early 2016. He also highlighted about the Model College Scheme under RUSA of the Ministry of HRD, under which the College has come up. Out of the total cost of Rs.12 crore of the College building, Rs.8 crore is being provided by MHRD while Rs.4 crore has been provided by the A&N Administration. The College has 360 students at present and offers courses in 8 different streams, he said.

The students of ANCOL presented a welcome song befitting the occasion. The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Secretary Education, Ms Tanvi Garg.

5

6

Shri Hemant Songadkar, General Manager, NABARD presenting the Coffee-Table Book titled ‘Rural India’s Wishes Come True’ and the Annual Report 2014-15 of

NABARD to the Lt Gen A K Singh (Retd), Hon’ble Lt Governor of A & N Islands at Raj Niwas on 31.10.2015

Students from GSS, Prothrapur accompanied by their Principal and teachers visited Raj Niwas on 31.10.2015 to see the gardens and other attractions. The

Secretary (Education) was also present on the occasion.

7

Andaman & Nicobar Police March for Unityat Mahabir Singh Road on 31.10.2015

Concluding ceremony of SwachhBharat Abhiyan at GSSS auditoriumon 31.10.2015. Chairperson, PBMC,Smt Sheela Singh chief guest on the

occasion

8