Home to nearly five lakh people, this remote archipelago is a living repository of the freedom struggle. Many residents are descendants of revolutionaries and political prisoners exiled to the infamous Cellular Jail—Kala Pani—by the British. These freedom fighters came from Bengal, Punjab, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.

We often see news alerts on drug busts, shake our heads, and move on. But this is not just a law-and-order problem. It’s a deep-rooted social and psychological crisis. And we need to talk about it, not tomorrow, not next month- now.

Let us be clear: there are no hotels or restaurants that serve native Nicobari food. No menus will list "wild boar curry" or "bamboo-cooked seafood." These dishes are not for sale. They are expressions of home and hospitality. The only way to taste them is to be invited to sit cross-legged in a Nicobari home.

Parents, coaches, and chess enthusiasts turned up in large numbers to witness the matches, lending a festive and competitive spirit to the event.

So far, 1,125 students have been trained and equipped to function as youth advocates for better health. This collaborative initiative between the Directorate of Health Services and the Department of Education is being implemented across middle, secondary, and senior secondary schools.

Led by the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) and the Directorate of Education, the drive is a four-phase action plan that combines science, community action, and creativity, and brings together students, women stakeholders, local Panchayats, and technical teams under one mission- safeguard every drop.

The cost of airlifting a critically ill patient on a stretcher to the mainland stands at approximately ₹4 lakh—an amount Bhaskar says most islanders simply cannot afford

More than 40 different varieties of oilseed crops, ranging from sesame and sunflower to castor, linseed, and safflower, were featured through live field demonstrations. These practical displays according to CIARI has allowed farmers to observe firsthand how the crops grow under the island’s specific agro-climatic conditions.

Hatchery Unit