Lt. Governor Exhorts Students to Contribute Towards Disaster Management

Port Blair, March 26: The Lt Governor, Lt Gen AK Singh (Retd) has underlined the need for Disaster Management. Though we cannot prevent a disaster; but with better preparedness, we can certainly minimize the damages, he said while addressing the students at the Pondicherry University campus at Brookshabad here this evening.

The Pondicherry University organized a colourful cultural programme titled ‘Anekaragam Fest- 2016’ in its campus today in which students of the college presented variety programmes including songs and dances, much to the delight of the audience on the occasion. The Lt. Governor, Lt. Gen. A K Singh (Retd.) as the chief guest inaugurated the cultural evening by lighting the traditional oil lamp.

Addressing the gathering after the cultural programme, the Lt. Governor complimented the participants for their energetic performance.

Speaking about the Pondicherry University, the Lt. Governor informed the gathering about his association with the University not only in Brookshabad Campus in Port Blair, but also in Puducherry Campus, where he delivered a talk on ‘National Security’ and interacted with the faculty members and students on one occasion.

Referring to the core subjects offered by Pondicherry University here at Brookshabad Campus, the Lt. Governor said that both the subjects viz. Disaster Management and Ocean Studies & Marine Biology are very relevant in A&N Islands. 

Turning to Disaster Management, the Lt. Governor mentioned that there could not be a more suitable place to study the subject than Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He highlighted about Islands scenario with regard to Disaster Management and said we are subjected to over 90 to 100 tremors annually, in and around Andamans including the South East Asian belt, out of which 30 are of over 4.5 on the Richter scale.  Any tremor which is more than 8 on the Richter scale can actually theoretically generate a Tsunami, he said. Citing the example of the 2004 Tsunami, the Lt. Governor said that not only in Andaman & Nicobar Islands but all over the country, Disaster Management is becoming a very topical and urgent necessity. Though we cannot prevent a disaster but with better preparedness, we can minimize the damage, he said, calling upon the students passing out from such institutions to contribute their mite towards disaster management.

Mentioning about the large scale exercise that was carried out by the A&N Administration to gauge the preparedness of the Islands pertaining to Disaster Management, the Lt. Governor said, the A&N Administration have developed quite a lot of expertise on this subject and acknowledged that he is reasonably satisfied with the disaster preparedness of the Islands.

The Lt. Governor also requested the Head of the Faculty to encourage greater interaction between the theory and practical aspects of the subjects being taught to the students. The Lt. Governor also directed the faculty to tie up with the Secretary, Disaster Management, so that the students can visit the operation centre and enhance their knowledge of the subject in practicalities with the guidance of the experts on Disaster Management.

As far as the Ocean Studies &Marine Biology is concerned, these Islands are the best place as 25% of Coastline and 30% of India’s EEZ is in and around A&N Islands, the Lt Governor said adding that we have a large amount of Marine Species here and the students studying this subject should be able to contribute for the development of Marine Commerce and Marine Engineering in these Islands.

The Lt Governor said that in Education sectors these Islands have made great strides. “In last two years we opened a medical college, Andaman College, Community College and skill Centres. Now, the Administration is striving hard to start a Law College with a small batch of 30 students from July this year. Apart from this, professional colleges with four streams have also been planned and efforts are on to start the colleges with Management stream this year”, the Lt Governor added.

With so many initiatives in the education sector, the Lt Governor stated, the time is now ripe to apply for our own Central University. He requested the Principal Secretary, Education to put in motion the whole process of demanding a University for these Islands.

The Lt Governor also complimented the organizers for giving an appropriate name to this multicoloured and multicultural programme ‘Anekaragam’, which reflects the beauty of India. He also invited the students and faculty members to visit Raj Niwas to have a glimpse of the surrounding of Raj Niaws and its beautiful gardens.

The Lt. Governor also distributed certificates to the winners of the various competitions organized during the fest. Cultural programmes by the students drew loud applause from the gathering.

In his welcome address, the HOD, Disaster Management, Prof. Ramanujam thanked the Lt. Governor for taking the Islands forward and expressed gratitude for introducing the chartered flight services for the Islanders. He also highlighted the significance of the fest entitled ‘Anekaragam’, which signifies multicolour, echoing the message of unity in diversity. He mentioned about core subjects of the University viz. Disaster Management and Ocean Studies & Marine Biology in this College where students from various parts of the country, including the A&N Islands are studying. 

The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Asst Prof. Dr. Padmavati, Department of Ocean Studies & Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Brookshabad.