Car Nicobar Island - Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Beautiful Sea

Selling Pancakes for a Cause - England - UK

Students of Gray Court School in England selling pancakes after school to raise money for the children affected by the 2004 Tsunami in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

8th Grade - Gray Court School - England - UK

These students spare their time after school by selling pancakes towards my trip and for the children affected by the 2004 Tsunami in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Discover new life - Little Andaman (Hut Bay)

Children inside the tent learning new discovery about their life.

While parents busy waiting and searching for food after the Tsunami standing in long queue.

Long queue for food

After the Tsunami people were standing in long queue waiting for food .

Ross Island - Port Blair

Ross Island -

Bearing a haunted look today, the Ross Island was the Administrative Headquarters for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, before an earthquake rocked it in 1941. The headquarters were then shifted to Port Blair. 

One can see remnants of an opulent past in the ruins of the church, swimming pool and the chief commissioner's residence with its huge gardens and grand ballrooms. There is also a cemetery and a small museum managed by the Indian Navy. The museum has on display a collection of old records.

The Ross Island is about 2 km east of Port Blair and can be reached by a short boat ride from Phoenix Bay Jetty. The island is controlled by the Indian navy, which requires every visitor to sign in on entering.

The small island with its treasure of ruins in it became the hot tourists spot in the territory. People desire to know more and more about Ross Island. This Island the erstwhile capital of Port Blair during the British regime, is a tiny island situated few Kilometers away from Port Blair city. The island presently houses the ruins of old buildings like Ballroom, Chief Commissioner’s House, Govt. House, Church, Hospital, Bakery, Press, Swimming Pool and Troop Barracks, all in dilapidated condition, reminiscent of the old British regime. Ever since Dr. James Pattison Walker arrived in Port Blair aboard the East India Company’s steam frigate ‘Senuramis’ on 10 March 1858, this island remained under British occupation till 1942. From 1942 to 1945, the island was under the occupation of Japanese. However, the allies reoccupied the island in 1945 and later abandoned it. During British occupation, this island was the seat of power of the British.

Port Blair - Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Leaving Port Blair for Little Andaman (Hut Bay)

Some interesting facts about these islands

• Location: They are located off the eastern coast of India and politically they are a Union Territory of India.
• Population: 3,60,000 ( Prior to the tsunami as per the 2001 census)
• Area: 8248 sq. km (with the Andaman islands having the largest proportion of the total area covered by the 500 islands)
• Capital: Port Blair
• Main languages spoken: Hindi, Tamil, Telegu, Bengali and various other tribal languages and dialects.

How did these islands get their name?

      The name Andaman is probably derived from the Malay word ‘Handuman’, a reference to the Hindu monkey god who is an important character in the legendary story of Lord Ram.

      Nicobar is believed to mean ‘Land of the naked’. Many of the islands in this chain are still inhabited by the aboriginal people who live in isolation .

Session with children in Relief Camp - Port Blair

These youth were themselves affected by the Tsunami.
After the training they were equipped to facilitate sessions for children.  

Haddow Jetty - Port Blair

Haddo jetty that connects to different islands.

My first stop before embarking on the journey into different parts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands was Port Blair. It takes two – three days to travel by ship to Campbell Bay (Great Nicobar), one and half days to Car Nicobar and eight to twelve hours to Hut Bay (Little Andaman) from Port Blair.

Chunnabatta Island - Port Blair

Every evening in this island I conducted sessions with children.

Bird Eye's View - Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Before landing in Port Blair photo taken from Jet Airways. 

This is the first time I travel to these islands after the Tsunami to work for the children affected by the Tsunami.

What makes these islands unique?

      Out of a total of 500 tropical islands that comprise these, only about 37 are inhabited by people.

    Known for their unique fauna, lush forests, deserted beaches, exquisite coral and marine life

    And lately for the devastation and loss caused by huge tidal waves called ‘tsunami’.

With Nicobari Children affected by the Tsunami - Port Blair - Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Photo sessions in the relief camp with tribal children affected the Tsunami 2004

The Karuvars (Gypsies) - Chennai - Tamil Nadu

These gypsies live in open spaces and 

one of their traditional handicrafts is the making of bead garlands.

Back home from school

While visiting a village, I couldn't stop looking at these two little girls
holding hands together walking back home after school - Cuddalore - Tamil Nadu

Life on the footpath

Husband and wife gave bath to their new born child on the street in Chennai. 

If each one of us contribute just one rupee this family will have a better place to live in.

Cobblers in Mahabalipuram

Suresh and his brother earn their living by making and selling beautiful colors Chappals on road side.
While working for the children of the fishermen in ten villages in Mahabalipuram
I even became friends with them and got few pairs of Chappals made by them.  

Onge Tribe - Little Andaman (Hutbay) - Andaman & Nicobar Islands

They are not NEGROES but Indians.

On my way to Little Andaman (Hutbay) by ship I met the Onge tribe on board.

Together from Port Blair we traveled for almost 12 hours to reach Hutbay. 

Who were the original inhabitants of these islands?

    For many years prior to the European invasions, tribal and indigenous people lived a subsistence life.

      Today they comprise less than 10% of the total population.

      Some of the tribes like the Jarawas, Andamanese, Sentinelese, Onges are on the verge of becoming extinct.