Andaman sheekha 13 01 2014

VOL: 03 I ISSUE NO: 11 I REG NO:ANDENG/2011/38184 I 13 JANUARY 2014 I MONDAY I Rs. 2.00 I DAILY I PORT BLAIR I www.andamansheekha.com

PRINCE STORE

Media Associations to lodgeofficial complaint to President of India

Administration & ANC neglectmedia during President’s visit

Port Blair, Jan 12: TheAndaman and NicobarAdministration andAndaman NicobarCommand have totallyneglected local media duringPresident of India’s ongoingvisit. Only a few local mediaunits, including AndamanSheekha, were given securitypass to attend twoprogrammes of the Presidentwhile all other local mediaunit were given pass for onlyCivic Reception, whereanyone with an invitationcard had equal access asmedia persons had andhence that card carried no

meaning. At ANTRIinauguration function thosemedia persons who weregiven security pass werereportedly had only limitedaccess.

Not only this for thecrucial meeting of Presidentof India with tribal leaders ofCar Nicobar, no privatemedia person was invited.

During this visit nopress meet was alsoorganized perhaps to keepthe President in dark aboutthe recent agitation ofunemployed youths and otherlocal problems. Adding tothis the Andaman NicobarCommand too did not invitelocal media persons during

Staff CorrespondentSheekha News Service

(See page 8)

“AAP to aisey na thee”Too Many ‘AAP’

groups in Andaman

Port Blair, Jan 12:Considering the fastgrowing popularity of‘Aam Admi Party (AAP)’and public support toomany groups have startedprojecting themselves as‘original’ wing of AamAdmi Party in Andamans,although none of thesegroup has till now

presented a affiliationletter from AAPheadquarters. One grouphas already put hoardingswhile the other group issuper active in Facebook,inviting membership.

Hope the CIDbranch and the DeputyCommissioner will lookinto this matter and clearthe air before common manis taken for a ride by theshady group.

Staff CorrespondentSheekha News Service

President inaugurates A&N Tribal Research and Training InstituteAppreciates Administration’s initiative

in setting up of ANTRI as a step for betterpolicy formulation & implementation

Port Blair, Jan 12: ThePresident of India, Mr.Pranab Mukherjeeinaugurated the A&N TribalResearch and TrainingInstitute (ANTRI) today byunveiling the plaque at H/97, Main Road, Haddo, Port

Blair. The young studentsfrom Andamaneseindigenous tribalcommunity welcomed thePresident of India bypresenting bouquet on hisarrival at the institute. Lt.Governor of the Islands, Lt.

General (Retd) A.K Singh,PVSM, AVSM, SM & VSM, Mr.Bishnu Pada Ray, Member ofParliament, Mr. AnandPrakash, Chief Secretary, andsenior officers of A&NAdministration, represe-

(See page 2)

2 13.01.2014 Rs. 2.00 Andaman Sheekha Daily Port Blair

Birth Anniversary ofSwami Vivekananda celebrated

Diglipur, Jan 12: Vivekananda School Diglipurcelebrated Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birthanniversary here. The function showcasedvarious facets of Indian culture, includingdance, music.

A speech contest on Vivekananda’slife and message contests organized on thisoccasion.

The formal programme started withceremonial lighting of lamp and offering flo-ral tributes to Swami Vivekananda by Dr.Vivek Kumar, Asst. Commissioner, andDiglipur Sub Division. In his address he said

that “Swami Vivekanandahad taught the world that inessence all religions advo-cated service to mankind, asthe most effective form ofworship. Though SwamiVivekananda’s earthly so-journ was short, but his mes-sage is universal and endur-ing. He preached that all reli-gions were equal and Godwas embodied in each indi-vidual.”

A fancy dress com-petition by students of theschool gave it a unique flavor.

DJ VenkateshSheekha News Service

BJP to finalise agenda,campaign ahead of 2014 polls

The BJP which is drumming up nationwidesupport for its ‘Modi for PM’ campaign willget down to finalising its agenda and fine tunethe campaign for the forthcoming 2014 gen-eral elections in the course of the comingweek.From ticket distribution to zeroing in on clean,credible candidates, from strategy to takingon traditional rivals and the new entrant tothe electoral politics, the Aam Aadmi Party,to reaching out to the youth, the BJP’s topleadership is expected to take stock of theparty’s poll preparation.At the recently concluded ParliamentaryBoard meeting in New Delhi, the BJP hasdecided to intensify its ‘Modi for PM’ cam-paign through a door-to-door canvassing andby focussing attention on issues of internalsecurity, corruption and price rise, particu-larly food inflation.

The Board discussed the agenda forthe coming national executive and councilmeeting which will see the participation of (See page 8)

nearly 10,000 office-bearersfrom across the country tostrategise for the mid-2014Lok Sabha polls.

The party’s primeministerial candidateNarendra Modi and presidentRajnath Singh reviewed thepreparations for the party’snational executive and coun-cil meetings over the week-end. Sources said Mr. Modi’sbrief to the party has been tofocus on candidates with aclean and credible record,given that the opposition andthe debutant the AAP havemade corruption the mainstayof the election campaign.“There is a possibility thatsome old faces might bedropped, Mr. Modi has indi-

ntatives of PRIs and peoplefrom various walks of lifewere present on the occasion

The President ofIndia in his inauguraladdress, at the outsetcongratulated the A&NAdministration forconceptualizing the A&NTribal Research andTraining Institute andobserved that the output ofthe research initiatives couldbe the instrument for thepolicy guidance and policyformulation. The Presidentnoted that the assimilation asa policy had failed duringcolonial period and many ofthe tribes got decimated, asrevealed from the Britishrecords. However, thePresident cautioned that thetribal communities have notexisted in isolation butevolved over a period of time.On the other hand, mereprovision of infrastructureand other facilities, may notmeet the requirement ofindigenous communities.The State must listen andunderstand the perception ofthe community, letting themto evolve at their own paceand time. The major role ofANTRI would be tounderstand how suchevolution took place in thetribal community and guidethe State in formulating apolicy which should bedynamic to adjust with thechanging field situations.The President congratulatedthe Administration also forthe distinct concept of theproposed ANTRI museum,which would not be a mere

place of collection of artifacts and social objects,as a mercantile product for tourist attractionbut would like to tell the indigenouscommunity their stories and their meanings.The President was of the view that the uniqueconcept of ANTRI would become thebenchmark for rest of the similar institutionsof the Country.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt.Governor, A&N Islands appreciated the TribalWelfare Department for the expeditious stepstaken within six months to set up the ResearchInstitute, which was sanctioned by the CentralGovt in the past decade. The Lt. Governor wasconfident that the proposed ANTRI museumand other infrastructural facilities would beexpeditiously commissioned in a best location.He cited the objective of the UT Administrationas sustainable development keeping ecologicalconcerns and the interests of the tribalcommunities in the fore. Though a few of theindigenous communities’ got assimilatedsuccessfully, most other tribes sufferedenormously in the last century leading to theirdecimation. In the islands, some of the tribalsare still in isolation. With the support of theCentral Govt, the UT Administration has takensteps to assist them in meeting their health andother needs. The A&N Tribal Research &Training Institute would help the UTAdministration to formulate a dynamic andresearch driven policy, to empower the tribalcommunities. As a concept, the ANTRImuseum will help the Particularly Vulnerabletribal communities in expressing their ownvoice. The Lt. Governor thanked the Presidentof India for having chosen to devote hisvaluable time to visit these islands and toinaugurate the Institute

The President visited the Library andsaw the exhibition put up on the occasion anda film presentation was made by Prof VishwajitPandya, Honorary Director, ANTRI on theconcept of the proposed ANTRI museum. Thefunction concluded with vote of thanks bySecretary (Tribal Welfare) Mr. G. Theva NeethiDhas, followed by National Anthem, by thestudents of Tagore Govt College of Education,Port Blair.

(From page 1)President inaugurates...

LOSTA Yamaha RX-135 blackmotorbike bearing no.AN01 B 8906 from MinnieBay near Pushpa marketon 09-01-2014. Finderplease contact : Manoj-9434277988

13.01.2014 Rs. 2.00 Andaman Sheekha Daily Port Blair 3

Supreme Commanderof Armed Forces visits

Andaman & Nicobar CommandPort Blair, Jan 12: The Presi-dent of India and SupremeCommander of the ArmedForces Shri PranabMukherjee, visited Head-quarters Andaman &Nicobar Command on 12Jan 14. The President ofIndia was received by Com-mander-in-Chief, Andaman& Nicobar Command, AirMarshal PK Roy, AVSM,VM, VSM, ADC. During thebriefing, importance ofAndaman & Nicobar Com-mand was emphasised asthe nation develops unifiedstructures in her ArmedForces. The Unified Com-mand is ideally suitedto pro-vide notonly securityto theIslands but canbe crucial inAid to Civil Power especiallyin times of crisis/natural di-sasters. The Commander-in-Chief in his briefing

brought out that whilst andArmed Forces remain sen-sitive to the security impera-tive, every echelon of thecommand remain sensitiveto the human and ecologi-cal sensitivities of the is-lands. Later the Presidentof India was hosted byAndaman & Nicobar Com-

mand at a special luncheonin his honour at theAndaman and NicobarCommand Officers’ Mess.It was an unique honour forthe officers and families ofthis command to interfacewith the Supreme Com-mander of the Indian ArmedForces.

Plans for tribals’ development mustkeep way of life in mind: President

Port Blair, Jan 12: Presi-dent Pranab Mukherjeetoday expressed concernover the dwindling num-bers of some of India’sindigenous tr ibes even ashe called for policies fortheir development to bein line with their way oflife.

T he over whelm-ing view as regards poli-cies on tribal populationsis that assimilation hadfa iled given tha t many

imp or t a n t t r i b es h a veva n is hed, M u kher jee

sa id, a dding tha t s uchpolic ies should not bestatic but have the flex-ibility as per the needs oftime. Speaking at the in-a u g u r a t ion of t heAnd a ma n a ndNicobarTribal ResearchIns t i t u t e ( ANT R I) ,Mukherjee said that theneeds of tr ibal popula-tions should not fulfilledin a manner which wentagainst their ways.

He hoped that theinstitute would undertakestudies which will help inthe formulation of policiesfor t he wel fa r e of thet r ibes of Andaman andNicobar islands.

Told of a proposalfor a museum to be set upby ANTRI, he said thatthe focus for the projectshould be on holding re-search into tribal life.

Punya SalilaShrivastava & K K Jindal

Transferred to DelhiPort Blair, Jan 12: In a majorbureaucratic reshuffle, ninesenior IAS officials serving inDelhi government were todaytransferred out of the city.

Six IAS officialsserving in Arunachal Pradeshand Andaman Nicobar Is-lands have been posted toDelhi administration. The IASofficials transfered out ofDelhi include Urban Develop-ment Secretary S S Yadav,Health Secretary S C L Das,Commissioner of Trade andTaxes Prashant Goyal andDeputy Commissioner ofNew Delhi district KrishanMohan Uppu. The transfer

orders has been issued by theUnion Home Ministry whichcontrols the ArunachalPradesh, Goa, Mizoram andUnion Territories (AGMUT)cadre officers. The other IASofficers transfered out ofDelhi are Ashok Kumar, K JR Burman, Shurbir Singh, J BSingh and Arti Lal. UrbanDevelopment SecretaryYadav has been transferredto Puducherry while HealthSecretary Das has been sentto Andaman Nicobar. Goyalhas been sent to Goa whileKumar and Burman havebeen transferred to Arunachal

(See page 4)


13.01.2014 Daily Issue::11

EDITORIAL.....Much ado about Priyanka

Precious little is known about PriyankaGandhi's brief and impromptu encoun-ter last Tuesday with senior Congressmanagers who had gathered at herbrother Rahul's residence — in his ab-sence — to deliberate on the tourprogrammes of the president and vice-president of the party. Yet it gener-ated much-frenzied speculation thatparty bigwigs tried to scotch. Morerevealing, however, was how they jus-tified her powwow with them.

One of the functionaries,Janardan Dwivedi, who attended themeeting, argued that she is a "mem-ber of an important political family"and "an active member of the IndianNational Cong-ress"; she has been"looking after election work in Amethiand Rae Bareli" (constituencies of herbrother and mother); she has "her ownopinions on political issues" whichshe "has been discussing with partyworkers from time to time". These weresound enough qualifications, inDwivedi's eyes, for her to engage withsenior leaders of the party.

A charitable way to respondto the argument would be to say thatthis is, alas, what Congress is: a partywhose fortunes are inextricably linkedto the fortunes of Gandhi family. A lesscharitable way would be to point outthat a larger political role for anothermember of Gandhi family — if sheconsents to play one at all — doesn'tquite rhyme with Rahul Gandhi's oft-stated desire to rid the dynasticstranglehold over his party. This isindeed the reason he gave for forsak-ing marriage.

But before one casts a stoneat him, it is well to remember that bar-ring BJP, Left parties and now AAP,all other political formations are runeither by a single individual or a singlefamily. Even exceptions to the rule donot hesitate to join forces withcaudillos and dynasts. So, for them totarget Priyanka on this count wouldbe tantamount to doublespeak.

A larger question of courseis whether her active participation inthe forthcoming campaign for generalelections — a matter that has still tobe settled — would make a differenceto her party's performance. She hascertainly won much public admiration

in the two constituencies where shehas worked, even if the record of Con-gress in past elections to UP assem-bly and to Parliament has been un-even. Her charisma, skills as an oratorand personal touch — not to mentionher instant association with the im-age of her grandmother Indira Gandhi— also endear her to party cadres. Sheis therefore better placed than eitherher brother or her mother to galvanisetheir energies.

But then she has a millstonearound her neck in the shape of herhusband Robert Vadra's sullied repu-tation. You can trust both oppositionparties and media to raise this issue ateach one of her public appearances.She would be damned if she evades itand damned if she doesn't. For anti-corruption has emerged as arguablythe most important matter of concernto the electorate. Rahul, taking a cuefrom the phenomenal success of AAP,has acknowledged as much.

After his party's drubbing infour state elections, he has vowed tocreate a comprehensive framework tocontain this menace. However, his ef-forts — along with others in the off-ing such as a far-reaching rejig in theorganisation — would come tonought so long as Vadra continues tohover in the wings. A consolation —a woefully poor one — would be ifother parties allow tainted politiciansto enter the electoral fray.

That is not all. ShouldPriyanka hit the campaign trail, shewould have to contend with a strongand pervasive anti-Cong-ress moodin the country. Narendra Modi con-tinues to effectively exploit it to hisadvantage though in parts of urbanIndia AAP has begun to steal his thun-der. The best that Congress can hopefor in these circumstances is for par-ties opposed to it to split anti-Con-gress vote and, in the process, ensure,at the very least, that Modi is kept outof the reckoning for the primeminister's job.

That hope as of now is a chi-mera. But, as Mark Tully observes,there are no full stops in India.Priyanka hasn't said the last wordabout her intentions. She hasn't ut-tered even the first one so far.

(From page 3)Punya Salila.....Pradesh.

Punya Salila Shrivastava,currently in Andaman Nicobar, hasbeen shifted to Delhi Government.Garima Gupta and V C Pandey, cur-rently serving in Arunachal andLakshadweep respectively, have also

been shifted to Delhi.K K Jindal, currently posted

in Andaman Nicobar, will also join theDelhi administration along withSachin Shinde and Sanjay Goel. BothShinde and Goel are now posted inArunachal Pradesh.

Nobody stands a chanceagainst Gandhi family in

Amethi: CongressNew Delhi: Congress on Sundaysaid that the Gandhi family hadthe blessings of the people ofAmethi and nobody s tood achance against them in electionsthere after AAP leader KumarVishwas held a rally in the con-

stituency which isrepresented in LokSabha by RahulGandhi.

"T he way theGandhi family hasserved tha t con-stituency (Amethi)and the kind ofblessings the peopleof that seat havegiven to the family,nobody s tands achance agains tthem," Congressleader and UnionMinis ter Ra jivShukla told report-

ers here.He was reacting to AAP's

bid to field Kumar Vishwas as itscandidate for the upcoming LokSabha elections from Amethi.

Vishwas today had arough start to his campaign inAmethi amidst protesters show-ing b lack f lags and pelt ingstones.Taking on Gandhi on hishome turf, Vishwas said that the"Rajkumar" had just indulged in"symbolism" by eating at thehouses of dalits and not raisedeven a single question in Parlia-ment in the past 10 years relatedto the people of Amethi.

He asked the people tovote for an "aam aadmi" (commonman) instead of a prince.

The poet-turned-politicianwas shown black flags by protest-ers who raised slogans againsthim over his remarks about a re-ligious event.


Isles’ multi-cultural, multi- linguisticsociety an example for rest of the

country to emulate: President

Mammoth gathering witnesses Civic Reception at Netaj i Stadium

Port Blair, Jan 12: The beautiful territoryof Andaman & Nicobar Island truly exem-plifies ‘unity in diversity’ and representsa ‘Mini India’ with people from variousparts of the country as also our indig-enous tribes living here in perfect har-mony, said the President of India, ShriPranab Mukherjee while addressing ahuge assemblage of people who gatheredat the historic Netaji Stadium. In honourof the visiting President of India, ShriPranab Mukherjee, the Port Blair Munici-

pal Council organised a ‘Civic Reception’at the Netaji Stadium here yesterdayevening, which was a great hit due to co-operation of Lt. Governor, Administrationand ANC with PBMC. Lauding the uniquecohesive multi cultural and multi linguis-tic society of these islands where all areliving in harmony, setting an example tothe rest of the country, the President said,“Each visit reinforces my admiration forthe people of this territory-A&N Islands”.

See Page 6


“I marvel at the immense naturalbeauty and splendour of our is-lands- the rich forest and marinewealth, coastal flora & fauna,along with beaches of extraordi-nary beauty-still retaining theirpristine glory”, said the Presi-dent.

The President said ev-ery time he visited these islands,he felt privileged at the opportu-nity to pay homage to the free-dom fighters in this hallowed ter-ritory, where they underwentgreat hardship and struggle tosecure our independence. “OurNational Memorial, the CellularJail bears testimony to the sacri-fices made by them”, said thePresident. The President alsomentioned about the visit ofNetaji Subhash Chandra Bose tothese Islands and hoisting of thenational tri-colour by Netaji at thehistoric Netaji Stadium on Dec.30, 1943. Recalling his visit soonafter tsunami, the President saidthese islands are vulnerable tovarious kinds of disasters suchas earthquakes, tsunami and cy-clone. The resilience of the peoplecoupled with the efforts of thegovernment have helped achievethe mammoth task of reconstruc-tion and rehabilitation post tsu-nami, the President said, alsomentioning about the two cy-clones ‘Phailin’ and ‘Lehar’ thatthe islands faced recently andhow the Administration with thesupport of the people, dealt withthese disasters admirably andstoically. The President also ar-ticulated his happiness about thesuccessful conduct of a majordisaster management exerciseacross the Islands in November2013. The President acknowl-edged the special place, the A&NIslands occupy in the 21st Cen-tury as the global balance ofpower and focus shifts from Westto Asia Pacific. “Having a dedi-cated tri-service command high-lights the strategic position ofthese Islands from defence pointof view”, said the President, add-ing that the Islands are not onlythe maritime gateway to the Bayof Bengal but also overlookingthe major international sea route.Therefore the A&N Islands havethe potential to be a spring boardfor India’s engagement with notjust South-East Asia but the Indo-Pacific region as well. “The Is-lands have the potential to de-velop as one of India’s significanttrading, shipping and touristhubs”, the President said. The President called upon thecitizens to face the challengestogether to accomplish the fullpotential of the Islands. “We arecommitted to meeting the chal-lenges the Islands face, and I willensure that the required impetusis given wherever necessary”, thePresident said.

Having a word for theextremely talented children ofthese islands, the President en-couraged them to take the Islandsand our motherland to greaterheights. “You are our hope for thefuture in a rapidly transformingworld, with your boundless en-ergy and enthusiasm; you havetremendous potential and theopportunity to be the agents ofchange. Where there is a will,there is a way!”, the President

said. The President also

complimented the people of PortBlair, PBMC and the Administra-tion for their enchanting clean &green town of Port Blair. “I amindeed touched by your affectionand thank you for your warmwelcome”. “I feel responsible forthe territory where our freedomfighters spent their toughestyears, and will endeavor to con-tribute towards its growth and de-velopment”, said the President tothe citizens. Welcoming thePresident, the Lt. Governor, A&NIslands, Lt. Gen (Retd) A.K.Singh, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSMremarked that people of these Is-lands have fond memories of thevisit of Shri Pranab Mukherjee asa Parliamentarian and Union Min-ister. “The developmental mea-sures taken by you in variouscapacities as Deputy Chairman,Planning Commission, Financeand Defence Minister have leftan indelible mark on the Islandsas well”, said the Lt. Governor.

The Islands are anintegral part of the country’s his-tory and heritage and are closelyassociated with the struggle ofIndia’s independence, the Lt.Governor said adding that theexistence of these islands isknown to the world from earlydays on account of its strategiclocation on the trade routes forIndia and far east. “The Islandshave weathered both British andJapanese occupation and ourNational Memorial keeps on in-spiring us as to the need to pre-serve and nurture our hard wonfreedom”, the Lt. Governor said.

Speaking about thecolourful, secular fabric of theIsles, the Lt. Governor said we arevery proud of our legacy and re-alize that this unique blend andamity is our strength.

Elaborating theAdministration’s vision for theseIslands, the Lt. Governor reiter-ated the need to endorse sustain-able and inclusive growth of Is-lands keeping ecological con-cerns and issues of tribal welfareto the fore. “Enhancing employ-ment opportunities for our youth,improving connectivity withmainland and between Islandsand ensuring strategic security,are important elements of this vi-sion”, said the Lt. Governor.

He also gave an out-line of the focus areas that havebeen identified to achieve thisvision which includes develop-ment of key sectors like tourism,cottage industries, fisheries andIT enabled services, strengthen-ing health, education, sports, tele-communication, transport, secu-rity and disaster management in-frastructure, expanding skill de-velopment opportunities by set-ting up vocational training cen-tres in far flung areas, implement-ing the food security scheme ofthe Government of India as wellas improving the performance ofour Public Distribution System,making our local bodies more vi-brant and setting up of a TribalResearch Institute to work in part-nership with indigenous commu-nities. The Lt. Governor alsomentioned about the measuresbeing taken to achieve thesegoals. The Lt. Governor also

spoke about the conduct of themock disaster management exer-cise in November 2013 duringwhich the Administration up-graded the infrastructure andidentified many gaps in the pre-paredness towards disaster man-agement and is working towardsremoving them.

The Lt. Governor alsoexpressed his concern for the un-employed youth. In view of theanguish of the people and spe-cial circumstances prevailing inthe Islands, the Administrationhas requested the Union HomeMinister that the youth of the Is-lands be given preference ingroup ‘C’ and group ‘B’ posts inA&N Administration. “A legallyand administratively acceptableframework is to be worked out forthis”, said the Lt. Governor. TheLt. Governor reiterated that theAdministration’s endevour is toensure a more responsive, effec-tive and transparent Administra-tion and its approach is of zerotolerance to corruption.

The Lt. Governor ex-pressed confidence that the visitof the President of India will bol-ster the morale of the Adminis-tration and the people in the daysto come and we shall movedsteadfastly towards our goals.

The Member of Par-liament, Shri Bishnu Pada Rayalso spoke on the occasion andexpressed his gratitude towardsthe President of India for visitingthese islands.

Earlier, the Chairper-son, Port Blair Municipal Coun-cil, Shri K. Ganeshan welcomedthe President of India, ShriPranab Mukherjee on this memo-rable occasion. He also presenteda memento to the President onthe occasion.

The ‘Civic Reception’concluded with the vote ofthanks proposed by Sr. ViceChairper son ,PBMC, Shri I.P.Singh. A mag-nificent culturalprogramme bythe students ofAndaman &Nicobar Islandsdrew loud ap-plause from thedignitaries aswell as thepeople presenton the occasion. It wasa magnificentbackdrop of theMarina, IndianNavy ships andRoss Island andabove all, thepristine emeraldblue waters ofAndamans.

Later,on reaching theRaj Niwas, theLt. Governorbriefed thePresident onthe challengesand issues fac-ing the islandsand requestedthe Presidentfor his supportin resolvingthese chal-lenges.

(From page 5)Isles’ multi-cultural, multi....


The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri AnandPrakash, paying tributes to Swami Vivekananda on theoccasion of birth anniversary, which is observed as theNational Youth Day, at a function held in the premises ofJNRM as chief guest on 12.01.2014.

'Dedh Ishqiya' courts controversy by forgetting Begum AkhtarAt a t ime when theAkhilesh Yadavgovernment’s largesse of aRs1 crore aid for MadhuriDixit’s Dedh Ishqiya andthe waiving of entertain-ment tax has come in forsharp criticism, as a quidpro quo for her perfor-mance at the Saifai fest,ther e comes anothercontroversy.The album forthe dhak-dhak girl’s come-back vehicle, credits Gulzarand Vishal Bharadwaj forthe thumri ‘Hamariat ta r iya’ . Both BegumAkhtar’s descendants andmusic lovers have ex-pressed shock and dismaythat it has traditional lyricsand is remembered for herversion, yet she doesn’t findmention anywhere on thefilm’s album cover.“Howcould they do this at a timewhen the country is observ-ing Begum Akhtar’s cente-na ry?” said an angryNazreen Akhtar, her

Lucknow-based grand-daughter. “Even if they havechanged words in between,isn’t it necessary to givecredit to one of the bright-est stars of this country’smusical legacy?”

Cultural historianSalim Kidwai, who hasbeen working to preserveAkhtar’s musical legacy,too expressed anguish overwhat he called “a moraltransgression.”

“Maybe this cannotbe challenged legally andAkhtar’s family may nothave the wherewithal tofight out a protracted battle,but Bollywood, which is amulti-crore industry, shouldhave more grace than this,”he said.The legend’s dis-ciple from Delhi, ShantiHiranand, who has penneda biography Begum Akhtar:The Story of My Ammi, toosaid she was aghast. “Thisbrings back memories of‘Door hai manzil, rahein

mushkil’ — the ShakilBadayuni ghazal whichsomeone had recorded inLondon and was callingtheir own.” Having beenwitness to meetings be-tween composer MadanMohan and Akhtar, whoshared a close rapport sincehis stint with All India Ra-dio, Lucknow, she remi-nisced, “He would meetAapa (elder sister) and takeher consent for even usingbits from her work or im-provising from it.”

Uttar Pradesh Con-gress Committee presidentRita Bahuguna too tore intoAkhilesh Yadav’s defenceof his largesse for the film.“Since the chief ministerAkhilesh Yadav and his fa-ther Mulayam Singh havepublicly demonstrated theircloseness to the f ilm’steam, why can’t they usethese good offices to ques-tion them on the slight bythe filmmakers to one of not

only Uttar Pradesh’s butalso the country’s tallest cul-tural icons?” she asked.

Repeated attemptsto reach both Gulzar andVishal Bharadwaj drew ablank, but the latter’s wifeRekha, who has sung theadapted version for the film,admitted to the lapse. “This

has happened in the first lotof 2,000 CDs. The momentVishal got to know we sentout a mail a sking foramends to be made in thesecond lot,” she told dnaand added, “You will seethat we have given a spe-cial ment ion to BegumAkhtar in the film credits.”

cated that younger candidateswith a proven ability have abetter chance with the youth.That will also help curtail antiincumbency. An individual’scredibility and acceptance willalso prove to be vital in can-didates’ selection,” said asource.

The BJP top brassand the office bearers arealso expected to thrash outideas for a political and eco-nomic agenda for the party,which will be part of its elec-tion pitch.

The BJP has so far

been focussing on two cam-paigns — ‘Modi for PM’ and‘Mission 272+’, but to woothe voters, particularly theurban youth, the party hasrecognised the need for asharp strategy. While Mr.Modi has been meeting peopleand addressing rallies, theparty, which considers itscadres its strength, has de-cided to strengthen its out-reach to voters. The meetingswill pass a political resolutionwhich will focus attention onissues like corruption, scams,mal-governance and the inter-

nal security situation. Theparty will also pass a resolu-tion on the state of theeconomy, price rise, decreasein foreign investment and fi-nancial problems of the poorand the middle class.

“The party has takenup the challenge of 272+seats under Mr. Modi’s lead-ership. The Congress has al-ready been squeezed out ofthe race. We have to get afull majority in this scenario,”BJP general secretary andMP Ananth Kumar said overthe weekend.

BJP to finalise... (From page 2)

Address: Roy Villa, INS Utkrosh Road, New Pahargaon, Garacharma Post Office- 744105, South Andaman. Ph: 09932082892. [email protected], [email protected]

City Office: Andaman Sheekha, D & K City Building, Ground Floor, RGT Road, Port Blair. A & N Islands.

Edited, Published, Printed and Owned by Shri Sanjib Kumar Roy and Published from Roy Villa, INS Utkrosh Road, New Pahargaon,Garacharma Post Office- 744105,South Andaman, A & N Islands. Printed at Royal Printers, Bargat Line, South Andaman. Editor: Shri Sanjib Kumar Roy.


MOVING EYES.....

Parking of an Oil Tanker inside residential colony triggers unrest. An oil tanker (Reg. No: AN01 H 2820) is parked inside Doctors’ Colony, Naya Gaonevery day, generating fear among residents of the area.

Tug of War for Fisher Folks by Coast Guard

Port Blair, Jan 12: As part ofthe 37th Coast Guard Daycelebrations, Coast GuardRegional Headquarters(A&N) conducted a competi-tive event ‘’Tug of War’’ forfisher folk on 12 Jan 14 atCarbyn’s Cove Beach, PortBlair. The aim of the eventwas to interact and strengthenbonds of mutual understand-ing with fishing community,who are the ‘Eyes and Ears’of Coastal Security.

Coast Guard ShipBhikhaji Cama organized the

event, which received over-whelming response from thefishing community with theparticipation of 60 fisher-men.

The fishermen weredivided into 04 groups tocompete against each otheron knock out basis.

On completion oftug of war, CommandantChandrayan Dey, Com-manding Officer, ICGSBhikhaiji Cama gave awaythe “Commander CoastGuard Region (A&N) Roll-

ing Trophy” to the winningteam and mementos to eachmember of the winner andrunner-up teams. Speakingon the occasion, Comman-dant Chandrayan Deythanked all the participantsfor making the event inter-esting and successful. Theevent culminated with re-freshments and informal in-teraction of CG personnelwith fisher folks. Acommuniqué received fromComdt Rajeev Sharma, PRO(CG).

Thiruvalluvar Day Celebrated

Diglipur, Jan 12: As part of19th year Thiruvalluvar Daycelebrations marking the birthanniversary of saint poetThiruvalluvar variousprogrammes were organizedtoday by Thiruvalluvar YouthClub, Diglipur at DolphinSquare, Diglipur sub division. On this occasion a CycleRace flagged off by Dr. VivekKumar, Asst. Commissioner,Diglipur . The winners will befacilitated with prize money ofRs.2001/- Rs.1501/- &

DJ VenkateshSheekha News Service

Rs.1001/- respectively. Afterthat a race for Male & Fe-male flagged off By SHODiglipur Mrs. Shabana Hanif. The winners will be facili-tated with prize money of

Rs.1001/-,Rs.701/- & Rs.501/- for both Male and fe-male categories onThiruvalluvar Day celebrationof 15th Jan,2014 at TamizharSangam of Diglipur.

the visit of President of Indiato ANC.This should be notedthat the same ANC hadissued NOC for yacht marinaat Viper, compromising withthe security of these Islandsand nation and latercancelled the NOC afterDefence Minister’sintervention, perhaps mediawas not allowed during thevisit of President so avoid anyquestion in this regard.

Now several mediaassociations like the PressClub of Port Blair and theSmall News Papers’Association are planning towrite a complaint letter to thePresident of India, DefenceMinister, Home Minister,Prime Minister of India in thisregard. During a meeting ofSmall Newspapers’Association the members of

the Associations havedecided on last saturday thattogether with the letter themedia persons will alsoattach the security cards,which carried no meaning.

(From page 1)Media Associations...

An energetic young personwith fluency in Englishlanguage and basiccomputer skills for officework. Salary is as percandidates demand twowheeler mandatorycandidate should be ableto travel inter islands.Please contact :9531906479

WANTED

WWW.ANDAMANSHEEKHA.COM

Documents

Andaman sheekha 13 01 2014