Dweep Tulika

Sri Vijayapuram: Talent can exist across communities, but access to platforms, networks and resources that help individuals develop that talent is not always equally available. Against this backdrop, MaaSanskriti Society presents itself as a community-focused initiative seeking to connect people with talent, ideas and aspirations to opportunities and resources that can support their growth. The concept is centred around bringing together a diverse group of people, including students, artists, creators, entrepreneurs, professionals and other community members , with the aim of encouraging connections, learning and collaboration. At the core of MaaSanskriti's vision is the idea of acting as a bridge between individuals with talent and potential and the organisations, mentors, institutions, businesses and resources that may help them move forward. The initiative's broader approach is to encourage communities to become active participants in creating connections and opportuni...

SRI VIJAYA PURAM, July 16:  The Sangeet Natak Akademi organised the National Theatre Festival 2026 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram and Kalidasa Jayanti , bringing together young theatre artists from across the country in a celebration of India's cultural heritage and performing arts. According to the organisers, the festival was held simultaneously at nearly 150 venues across all 28 States and 8 Union Territories. More than 4,000 young artists reportedly participated in over 150 theatrical productions presented in more than 39 languages and dialects, showcasing India's diverse theatrical traditions through folk theatre , puppet theatre and contemporary dramatic performances. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands , the festival was organised in collaboration with the Department of Education. Government schools in Sri Vijaya Puram, including Government Secondary School Junglighat , Government Model Senior Secondary School and Government Gi...

  Diglipur, July 10: An Andaman and Nicobar State Transport Service (STS) school bus carrying students from Kishorinagar towards Talbagan met with an accident on Friday morning after reportedly skidding off the road. According to information available from government and local sources, passengers were safely evacuated from the vehicle and shifted to the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Kishorinagar , before personnel from the Fire & Emergency Services reached the accident site. The vehicle involved has been identified as an STS bus attached to Paschim Sagar , bearing Registration No. AN 01 G 0034 , manufactured by Tata Motors Ltd. Vehicle registration records indicate that the bus is classified as a Bus (LPV), BS-II compliant , with a seating capacity of 45 passengers . It was registered on 21 December 2012 , making it approximately 14 years and 4 months old , while its certificate of fitness remains valid until 1 December 2026 . According to the latest available informati...

Sri Vijaya Puram | July 6, 2026 Imagine governing a place where every sack of cement, every litre of fuel, every ambulance, and even many government officials must first cross more than 1,200 kilometres of sea before reaching their destination. Welcome to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands , India's most isolated and perhaps most uniquely administered Union Territory. For many visitors, the islands feel almost like another country. Flights from mainland India take several hours, ships require days, and daily life is shaped less by highways and railways than by tides, weather conditions and ferry schedules. Yet these islands remain an inseparable part of India, making their administration unlike anywhere else in the country. Unlike Indian states, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands do not have a Legislative Assembly or an elected Chief Minister. Instead, the Union Territory is administered by the Lieutenant Governor on behalf of the Central Government. As a result, many important decision...

Sri Vijaya Puram, June 22: In a significant addition to India's botanical knowledge, scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have discovered a new species of wild brinjal in the evergreen forests of Middle Andaman . The discovery highlights the exceptional biodiversity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and their importance as a global ecological hotspot. The newly identified species, named Solanum pandeyi , was discovered by Dr. Lal Ji Singh , Head of the Botanical Survey of India's Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre. The plant was found growing naturally along forest edges in Middle Andaman and is locally known as the Wild Orange Eggplant . According to Dr. Singh, the species has long been used by the indigenous Great Andamanese community for both food and traditional medicine. The seeds and roots are reportedly used to treat tooth infections, while the ripe fruits are prepared into a sweet-and-sour sauce using jaggery, chilli, garlic, ginger and salt by Ranchi ...

Development, Strategy and Ecological Concerns Sri Vijaya Puram | May 30, 2026  A remote island. A mega infrastructure project worth over ₹70,000 crore. A location close to one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. And a debate that continues to intensify across strategic, environmental and public circles. Great Nicobar , once known primarily for its dense rainforests, biodiversity and indigenous communities, is now emerging at the centre of one of India’s most ambitious development visions. The proposed Great Nicobar Project includes a transshipment port, international airport, power infrastructure, township development and connectivity expansion aimed at transforming the island into a major maritime and logistics hub in the Indian Ocean region . Supporters of the project describe it as a strategic opportunity for India. They argue that the project could strengthen India’s maritime presence near the Malacca Strait , reduce dependence on foreign transshipment hubs such as S...

Sri Vijayapuram, 20 April 2026: India is preparing to undertake Census 2026 , widely regarded as the world’s largest administrative exercise , aimed at creating an extensive demographic snapshot of the country’s population. Conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948 , the exercise extends far beyond a simple population count. It seeks to document how people live, work and interact across the country, providing critical data for governance, development planning and public policy formulation. In formal terms, a census refers to the systematic process of collecting, compiling and recording information about every individual within a defined population. Conducted once every decade, the exercise involves enumerators reaching households across highly diverse terrains—from metropolitan cities and Himalayan regions to remote island territories such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands . The central objective remains universal inclusion, ensuring that no individual remains uncounted ...

Port Blair, 20 March 2026: In a proud moment for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Shiyad has secured All India Rank (AIR) 743 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025. His achievement marks a significant milestone for the islands and highlights how determination, consistency, and perseverance can overcome geographical challenges. Sharing his journey through a video message, Shiyad expressed gratitude towards his mentors and coaching institute for supporting him throughout his preparation process. He stated that he joined a coaching programme in 2021 and underwent extensive preparation covering the prelims, mains, and interview stages of the examination. Recalling his previous setback, Shiyad mentioned that although he appeared for the UPSC Mains examination last year, he was unable to qualify. However, with renewed determination and guidance, he successfully secured a place in the final merit list this year. “Whenever I lacked confidence, my mentor supported me and ensured tha...

Uttar Pradesh, 07 March 2026: The Students Federation of India unit of Aligarh Muslim University (SFI AMU) has strongly condemned the Central Government’s decision to transfer the affiliation of seven government colleges in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from Pondicherry University. In a statement, Mehrin Rehman, President of SFI AMU, said that students of the islands are already geographically isolated and rely on affiliation with a Central University for access to quality higher education. She stated that the proposed decision could weaken students’ academic opportunities and further isolate learners from remote island regions. “SFI AMU strongly condemns this move and stands in complete solidarity with the students of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. We demand an immediate rollback of the decision,” she said. Rehman further emphasized that education is a right and urged authorities to reconsider the decision in the interest of students from remote regions. The statement adds t...

Car Nicobar, 04 March 26: A tragic incident was reported on the occasion of Holi, where a teacher of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Car Nicobar, lost her life after being swept away by strong waves near a beach at Arong village. The deceased has been identified as Ms. Renuka, who was serving as a teacher at JNV Car Nicobar. According to sources, a group comprising five teachers along with the son of the school principal had gone to the beach during the morning hours. While they were near the shore, three individuals were suddenly swept away by powerful waves. Local residents present at the site managed to rescue two of them. However, Ms. Renuka was carried further into the sea by strong currents. She was later retrieved with the assistance of an Indian Air Force helicopter and airlifted to the Air Force Station at Car Nicobar. She was subsequently taken to BJR Hospital in the headquarters area, where doctors declared her brought dead. Sources stated that Ms. Renuka did ...

Sri Vijaya Puram, 26 February 2026: The DISHA (District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee) meeting of South Andaman, chaired by Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray , was postponed after a scheme-wise review could not be conducted due to the alleged non-availability of required administrative documents. According to a statement issued by the MP’s office, effective monitoring of Central Sponsored Schemes requires complete records, transparency, and access to relevant departmental documents. In the absence of the necessary information and documents, the scheduled review process could not proceed and the meeting was subsequently postponed. The MP emphasized the importance of proper review mechanisms to ensure accountability, transparency, and development-oriented governance in South Andaman district. He further expressed hope for full cooperation from the administration during the next session so that a comprehensive review of various schemes can be carried out in the...

Pondicherry, 25 February 2026: The Students’ Council of Pondicherry University (2025–26) has strongly opposed the Union Government’s reported decision to transfer the affiliation of seven colleges in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from Pondicherry University. Comrade Syed Inayat Hussain, General Secretary of the Students’ Council and member of the Students Federation of India (SFI) , stated in a video message that the move could isolate students of the islands and weaken their access to quality public higher education under a Central University system. He further pointed out that the islands already lack premier national institutions such as IITs and IIMs, and argued that the proposed decision may further marginalize students instead of improving educational opportunities. “The elected Students’ Council of Pondicherry University strongly condemns this decision and stands in solidarity with the students and people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands,” Hussain stated while demanding ...

Sri Vijaya Puram, 25 February 2026: Ayush , a student of Andaman Law College and representative of the Students’ Union, spoke to Dweep Tulika during the candle march organised under the Joint Action Forum (JAF), outlining the background, demands, and progression of the ongoing protest against the proposed deemed university system in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Speaking during the gathering at Tiranga Park, Ayush stated that the movement began on February 3 from Andaman Law College, where students first raised concerns regarding the proposed restructuring of colleges in the islands. He explained that the protest gradually expanded to institutions including JNRM, Tagore Government College, and B.Ed colleges, eventually receiving wider support from students and members of the public across the islands. Ayush alleged that the decision to place all existing colleges under a deemed university framework was being pursued without proper consultation with students. “We should have been...

Sri Vijaya Puram, 25 February 2026: A candle march was held in Sri Vijaya Puram, South Andaman, protesting against the proposed move to convert the seven colleges of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, currently affiliated with Pondicherry University, into a deemed university system. The march commenced from Flag Point and proceeded towards Tiranga Park, witnessing participation from students, civil society members, and representatives of various organisations. During the public gathering at Tiranga Park, speakers associated with the Joint Action Forum (JAF), along with representatives from different political parties and social organisations, voiced concerns regarding the proposed decision. Speakers argued that the move could negatively affect students’ access to quality higher education and urged authorities to reconsider the proposal in the interest of island students. Participants carried candles as a symbol of peaceful resistance and unity, reflecting growing public concern over ...

Port Blair, 25 February 2026: A large candle march organised by the Joint Action Forum (JAF) witnessed strong participation from students, parents, and members of various political and social organisations protesting against the proposed Deemed University system for colleges in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The march began from Flag Point and concluded at Tiranga Park, where a public meeting was held raising concerns over the future of higher education in the islands. Addressing the gathering, Rakesh Pal Govind announced his resignation as an ordinary member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), expressing dissatisfaction over the handling of the issue. He stated that elected representatives who fail to address public concerns lose their moral authority to remain in power. Govind alleged that the Deemed University proposal, which reportedly dates back to 2018, could weaken students’ access to quality education and further isolate island students. He also criticised recent inciden...