Serendipity : Musings of an Islander

Adding to the stress quotient of numerous families, count of B ars and L iquor outlets across A&N I slands  are on a rise . Ironically the G ovt promoted A ndaman and N icobar I slands I ntegrated D evelopment C orporation ( ANIIDCO ) playing harbinger is leaving no stone un-turned to further boost the already rocketing liquor sale in these I slands. Conversion of its lone G reen S hop at D elanipur to a liquor outlet is a glaring example of how the C orporation's priorities have changed over a period of time. Unfortunately it did not stop with creating that eyesore. According to a  report carried in a leading daily, ANIIDCO has invited E xpression of I nterest for development of 1 hectare land at M ohanpura into a commercial zone comprising S hopping C omplex, T wo-screen M iniplex, H otels, R estaurants, B ar, B anquet H alls, C onference R ooms, G aming zones etc. While there is no disagreement that islands need such avenues, but certainly tha...

THIS ARTICLE IS A WORK OF FICTION, WRITTEN IN LIGHTER VEIN, NOT TO HURT OR INVOKE ANYBODY’S SENTIMENTS. THE TITLE, STATEMENTS, SITUATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PURELY HYPOTHETICAL IN NATURE Andaman and Nicobar Islands, separated from mainland India by vast stretches of seas on all its sides are a remote place where the population is devoid of entertainment and amusement facilities unlike their mainland counterparts. Those inhabiting these islanders are therefore left to indulge in various activities such as rash driving, playing mobile ringtones at peak volume, chewing pan/gutka/sukka, spitting, littering, smoking, eve teasing, honking pressure/musical horns, visiting bars, playing cards, board games etc in a bid to quench their thirst for entertainment. The recent effort to grant bar license to 17 enterprising individuals vide Press Note No 7-392/LS/2009-10/6440 dated 04/11/2010 published in the Administrations mouthpiece The Daily Telegrams on the festive day of Dee...