Sir,

Apropos your news item “Bhopinder Singh dedicates countries First seaplane to the Islands” dated 31/12/2010. In this context, it is submitted that that the present Sea Plane cannot be called first in any count.
As far as A&N Administration is concerned the first seaplane service was launched sometime during 1995. Unfortunately the Seaplane during its return journey from Little Andaman plunged in the sea near Dundaspoint-Kumrakheti area while landing on 06/09/1995. The misadventure cost life of one of its occupants a Senior Officer of SAI. The recovered and re-constructed Seaplane (Cessna Caravan) now stands displayed in the Science Centre at Goodwill Estate at Port Blair (see attached photo).
Further Seaplane service was in operation in A&N Islands prior to independence also. Hence the present Seaplane is in fact third for Andamans, can be called Second after Independence , but in no count be called First.

DEBKUMAR BHADRA
Shore Point, Bambooflat, S Andaman-744107