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- Denis Giles
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Port Blair, April 2: Havelock and Neil Island, where majority of tourists embark have found a solution to the never ending waste of plastics. The initiative was taken by GreenLife Industries based in Port Blair in coordination with Eco Villa Resort based in Havelock. The private firms have started a systematic collection of waste plastics from the resorts and restaurants in the two islands.
The Executive Director of GreenLife Industries, Shri Hasmukh Jiwa today said that this is a perfect example how private-public partnerships should work. Tourists want to enjoy pristine beaches and natural wealth of Andaman`s. Unfortunately they are forced to experience the filth of plastic on the beaches, he said.
Hasmukh Jiwa further said that Greenlife Industries has set up a plastic and glass bottle recycling plant in Dolly Gunj industrial estate. We approached the resorts in Havelock and asked them to be more environmentally conscious and assist us in dealing with the plastic problem. The response from the Eco Villa Resort was overwhelming. It has provided a truck for transporting the waste for recycling.
The Forest department in Havelock has also been instrumental in providing assistance to develop a site, where the waste can be stored before it is transported to Port Blair for recycling. The Pollution Control Board has has also guaranteed free boat transportation between the islands, which was sanctioned by the Chief Secretary to make sure the boat is provided by the DSS.
It is about time we see such activity in the islands. It can be hoped that other private players and govt. organisations would respond to such activity in a positive way to make the islands free from Plastic Wastes.
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- Denis Giles
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Port Blair, April 2: MV Chowra was scheduled to sail from Port Blair to Car Nicobar on 2nd April 2013. Schedule for the sailing was announced and tickets sold to the passengers. As per the schedule, the vessel was supposed to sail at 7.00 am. Embarkation of the passengers was done by 6.00 am but last minute confusion in the Directorate of Shipping Services had resulted in stranding of passengers, who were locked inside the vessel.
The incident occurred today, when hundreds of passengers without proper breakfast had to embark the vessel MV Chowra by 6.00 am. It was 7.00 am but the ship did not show any signal of sailing. Confusion prevailed and passengers tried to contact the crew and the captain, wanting to know the reason for the delay. There were no proper answer from the crew yet it was gathered that there will be a delay in sailing due to internal problems.
It was 10.00 am. The ship never sailed. Reliable sources later informed that the delay in sailing was because there was no Doctor present in the vessel and the MMD Surveyor did not allow the sailing for the same reason. Andaman Chronicle tried to gather inputs from the Directorate of Shipping, but all efforts turned futile as no one responded.
By 11.00 am, the passengers were sold lunch coupons, which was a ray of hope for the stranded passengers. Unfortunately the ship did not sail. It was then announced that the ship will not be sailing without a Doctor in it. The stranded passengers were finally disembarked at around 2.00 pm after almost 8 hours of embarkation.
Who is to be blamed? The Doctor who was not present during the last minute or the Directorate of Shipping Services, which in spite of being aware of the facts allowed the passengers to get stranded?
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- Denis Giles
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Diglipur, April 1: Eight persons working as labourers were killed on the spot as the loaded truck on which they were travelling lost control and turned turtle. The accident took place on 29th March 2013 at 6.45 am near Swaraajgram, Diglipur. Among the 8 killed were 3 ladies.
The truck that turned turtle was loaded with quarry dust and carried 17 labourers. Among the 18, eight lost their lives, two are seriously injured, while seven others escaped with minor injuries.
Upon hearing the news of the death of 8 labourers, the Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Bhopinder Singh expressed his grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in the tragic road accident. The LG from his camp office at New Delhi conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured persons. He has also announced a ex-gratia relief of Rs 1.00/- lakh from LG’s Relief Fund to the next of kins of each deceased person. An amount of Rs 50,000/- has also been announced to the two critically injured persons. In addition, the Administration shall be bearing the full cost of medical treatment of all the injured persons.
The seriously injured persons were immediately airlifted to G. B. Pant Hospital where they are undergoing medical treatment. Seven persons with minor injuries are undergoing medical treatment at Radhanagar Primary Health Centre.
Meanwhile the PCC President, Kuldeep Rai Sharma has also expressed his shock over the news. Sharma had immediately written a letter to the Lt Governor to consider immediate monitory relief from the Lt Governor’s relief fund to the victims.
The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray today conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family members and prays for a speedy recovery of the injured. Bishnu has demanded for a thorough investigation in the accident and requested the Administration to render suitable livelihood measures with adequate compensation to the survivors.