REGISTRAR OF NEWSPAPERS OF INDIA
NO: DELENG / 2017 / 70663
official media partner of national maritime foundation
TRENDING
TRENDING
Former DG Shipping (Dr) Malini V Shankar: Andy and Nico
By Sea and Coast | 29/06/2019

I have visited the Andaman & Nicobar Islands several times, on work and vacation. Each visit added to my insights and perspectives. Over a period of time from 1986 to 2018, I savoured the treasures of this distant land - the intriguing mud volcano, the eruption of the Barren Island volcano, the oldest sawmill at Chatham, the timber museum, and of course the Cellular Jail and Ross and Havelock Islands.

The first time I set foot in Port Blair was in the winter of 1986. We decided on Andamans since I had friends who were there on a “hardship posting”. Back then, the land and the waters of the islands were absolutely pristine. There were jungles echoing with eerie, deafening sounds of insects and unknown animals, the trunks of the trees on land spanned more than 30 feet in diameter! The vehicles were few (and almost all belonged to the government), entertainment almost nil, and food was cooked on coal sigdis. Food grains and cereals, and most vegetables and fruits were shipped from Chennai or Vishakapatnam!  

Our holiday coincided with the visit of the then Prime Minister, which meant that the sole glass bottomed boat and all vehicles were placed at the disposal of the VVIP. We accessed the only vehicle available - a 4- wheel drive jeep, and no drivers. My friend who decided to ferry us around almost lost control and the vehicle sped downhill, to be miraculously stopped by a strong tree trunk.  

We had booked slots for snorkelling at Jolly Boy Islands. But on the appointed time and place, nothing showed up – no boat, no equipment, no information, and no one to contact! We chatted up another visitor, who happened to be an officer who had come to the islands to negotiate purchase of Andaman timber. By late afternoon, he was resourceful enough to find a boat that would take us for an hour’s ride into the waters. The boat sputtered to a start and off we were into the Andaman Sea. Lo and behold, within 20 minutes, the boat came to a halt; the boatman declared that she had scraped her bottom on some rocks or corals. It was 4 pm, and the December skies were getting dark. We imagined the worst, we had no communication or rescue facility. We thought that with some luck we would spend the night gazing at the stars, hoping that someone would find us by morning.

But nothing prepared us for the next sight – the boatman simply got off the vessel, seemed to walk on waters (is this how Jesus did it??) and gently pushed the boat ahead, started the motor, and got the boat going. He knew the sea bed like the back of his hand, and he told us he was standing on rocks and getting the boat out!

Indian Airlines had two flights a week; we missed one flight and had 3 extra days on the islands! We pretty much did nothing except eat, take jeep rides and sleep. And of course, go to the beach and watch the crystalline spume of the waves.

The subsequent visits were devoid of any such adventure. The next two trips to Andamans were for professional reasons, for meetings with entrepreneurs – who were mainly exporting Grouper fish to Thailand. I remember another unique enterprise – a Frenchman helping the islands earn foreign exchange from recreation fishing. Truly ahead of its times.

Even on official tours, I was often not able to find a good guest house. Once I was told that a high- level official delegation was in Port Blair, and the rest houses and boats had been requisitioned for his visit. On enquiring, I was told that this VVIP was none other than the DG Shipping!

The early 2000s saw intense development in the islands, to the detriment of the environment. I was aghast to see that the hill tops had been flattened and hideous multi-storey buildings were being constructed, the tree cover had reduced, and aquaculture units were spewing suspected harmful waste. Fortunately, the efforts of courts and environmentalists bore fruit and I was delighted to observe the improvements during my visit in 2013 to Port Blair. The quay was organized, aquaculture regulated, tree cover increased, and development activities respected the need to preserve the ecosystem.

It was on this trip that I finally debuted in snorkelling off the Wandoor beach. The rich marine life with its myriad colours was a sheer delight – and just the ecstatic feeling of being able to float in the middle of the ocean! This time I was staying with a friend. She had adopted two charming pups, and was looking for apt names for them. I was delighted to christen them, what else, Andy & Nico - after Andamans and Nicobar.

My more recent visit to Andamans was in my capacity as DG Shipping, and that included taking the ship to the extremely picturesque Nicobar Islands. Alas, while ships were still the mainstay of the economy, the DG Shipping ceased to be Master of all that he or she surveyed. There were now 21 flights a day (and growing) between the mainland and the Port Blair, thousands of tourists who headed for the jetty straight from the airport, resorts catered to a wide spectrum of tourists. As the government expands its plan to open up the islands for tourism and development, it is my fervent prayer that the landscape and seascape continues to retain its beauty and charm.




COMMENT
Brent McEwen
The Memorial service Pot can be underway along with the Leaders currently have several leads participating in this yearly event – forwards Brayden Schenn (Kings’ first spherical decision,Cincinnati Reds Barry Larkin Nike Black 2023 City Connect Replica Player Jersey - Womens 6th overall,Men's Venezuela Baseball 2023 White World Big Logo With Patch Classic Jersey 2009 nfl draft) and Brandon Kozun (Kings’ sixth rounded option,Cincinnati Reds Joey Votto Nike Black 2023 City Connect Replica Player Jersey - Mens 179th over-all,Cincinnati Reds Joey Votto Nike Black 2023 City Connect Replica Player Jersey - Mens The year just gone draw up),Men's Dominican Republic Baseball Juan Soto LEGENDS Red 2023 World Baseball Classic Name & Number T-Shirt and also goaltender Martin Jones (agreed upon from the Noblemen as an unhindered cost-free broker with August.Men's Baltimore Orioles Fanatics Branded Black 2023 MLB Spring Training Diamond T-Shirt 2,Men's Minnesota Twins Nike Navy 2023 Large Logo T-Shirt-2023-ID23042281" target="_blank">Aaron Hicks New York Yankees Fanatics Authentic Game-Used #31 White Pinstripe Jersey vs.Men's USA Baseball #7 Tim Anderson 2023 World Baseball Classic Jersey - Navy San Francisco Giants on March 30,Men's Minnesota Twins Fanatics Branded Navy 2023 MLB Spring Training Diamond T-Shirt 2023 The year 2008).Cincinnati Reds Nike Black 2023 City Connect Replica Jersey - Womens

Brent McEwen,Men's USA Baseball #27 Mike Trout 2023 World Baseball Classic Jersey - Navy the actual Kings’ beginner search with Traditional western The us,Men's Houston Astros Fanatics Branded Navy 2023 MLB Spring Training Diamond Pullover Hoodie will be joining the wedding with Brandon,Men's USA Baseball #16 Will Smith 2023 World Baseball Classic Jersey - White Manitoba,Men's Japan Baseball Shohei Ohtani LEGENDS Red 2023 World Baseball Classic MVP T-Shirt and that he not too long ago answered the next concerns from LAKings.Men's USA Baseball #20 Pete Alonso 2023 WBC Jersey - Redweb.Men's Atlanta Braves Fanatics Branded Navy 2023 MLB Spring Training Diamond T-Shirt

LAKings.Women's USA Baseball #28 Nolan Arenado 2023 White World Classic Replica Jerseyweb: For anyone dance shoes followers that aren't accustomed to the actual Commemorative Cup,Men's Canada Baseball LEGENDS Black 2023 World Baseball Classic Federation T-Shirt who you actually determine the idea?Men's USA Baseball Blank 2023 WBC Jersey - Red

McEwen: This specific event would be the culmination of the year regarding Main Jr Handbags with North america.http://www.futeservices.comcom/Mens-USA-Baseball-15-Bobby-Witt-Jr-2023-World-Baseball-Classic-Jersey-Red-ID23033041" target="_blank">Men's USA Baseball #15 Bobby Witt Jr 2023 World Baseball Classic Jersey - Red The champs through the Quebec Major,Men's Arizona Diamondbacks Fanatics Branded Black 2023 MLB Spring Training Diamond T-Shirt European in addition to Mpls Groups gathering inside the variety town,Men's Mexico Baseball #7 Julio Urias Green 2023 World Baseball Classic Jersey and that is Brandon in 2010,Men's USA Baseball Nike Black 2023 World Baseball Classic Velocity T-Shirt along with the number workforce also participates which in 2010 may be the Wheat or grain Kings.Atlanta Braves Max Fried Nike White 2023 City Connect Replica Player Jersey - Mens-2023-ID23042290" target="_blank">Ron Marinaccio New York Yankees Fanatics Authentic Player-Worn #42 White Pinstripe Jersey vs.Baltimore Orioles Nike Black 2023 City Connect Replica Jersey - Youth Minnesota Twins on April 15,Men's Houston Astros Fanatics Branded Navy 2023 MLB Spring Training Diamond T-Shirt 2023 It is a real get together – a celebration with the Senior Groups plus a special event involving hockey.Men's Mexico Baseball #7 Julio Urias 2023 World Baseball Classic Jersey - White A great deal of persons receive town due to this which is a real affair.Men's Minnesota Twins Fanatics Branded Navy 2023 MLB Spring Training Diamond Pullover Hoodie There are a number of actions about the tournament,Men's USA Baseball Blank 2023 Navy World Baseball Big Logo Classic Jersey which is a sound 10 days involving handbags,Men's Arizona Diamondbacks Fanatics Branded Black 2023 MLB Spring Training Diamond Pullover Hoodie and there's a great deal to experience the following.Men's Chicago Cubs Fanatics Branded Royal 2023 MLB Spring Training Diamond Pullover Hoodie It is a good event.Cincinnati Reds Barry Larkin Nike Black 2023 City Connect Replica Player Jersey - Mens

LAKings.Men's USA Baseball Paul Goldschmidt Nike Navy 2023 World Baseball Classic Name & Number T-Shirtcom: What is your own purpose right now there this year?Houston Astros Alex Bregman Nike White/Gold 2023 Gold Collection Replica Player Jersey - Mens

McEwen: It is important to have got a reputation below.Women's USA Baseball #30 Kyle Tucker 2023 WBC Jersey - White You currently have players in every crew who're draft eligible nevertheless there are all of them a great deal and much of it really is validating what we have noticed from their store before.Women's USA Baseball #3 Mookie Betts 2023 White World Classic Replica Jersey We have about three of our own players in this article and also you are able to view all of them participate in.Men's USA Baseball Nolan Arenado Nike White 2023 World Baseball Classic Name & Number T-Shirt Unfortunately Brandon Kozun can be harm and that he is actually isn’big t playing at this time right after enjoying from the first game of this contest.http://tenderheartinternational.comBaltimore Orioles Cal Ripken?Men's USA Baseball #3 Mookie Betts 2023 WBC Jersey - RedNike Black 2023 City Connect Replica Player Jersey - Youth He simply have a couple of changes anf the husband has gone out throughout the actual contest.Cincinnati Reds Joey Votto Nike Black 2023 City Connect Replica Player Jersey - Youth Over-all,Women's USA Baseball #31 Cedric Mullins 2023 WBC Jersey - White it's a possible opportunity to notice people,Men's New York Yankees Fanatics Branded Navy 2023 MLB Spring Training Diamond T-Shirt to travel to,Cincinnati Reds Barry Larkin Nike Black 2023 City Connect Replica Player Jersey - Mens to dicuss which has a gamer below or even at this time there.Atlanta Braves Hank Aaron Nike White 2023 City Connect Replica Player Jersey - Womens You may additionally get to stop by using a person that lifestyles within the location.Men's Japan Baseball Blank 2023 WBC Jersey - Black-2023-ID23042286" target="_blank">Jimmy Cordero New York Yankees Fanatics Authentic Player-Worn #42 White Pinstripe Jersey vs. Minnesota Twins on April 15, 2023 It is going to be in this article and be for sale with all the current groups and all the Senior team management as well as the game titles.

LAKings.net: Exactlty what can you say to Leaders enthusiasts concerning the continuing development of Schenn?

McEwen: The most important running he's got produced is within the team connected with readiness. He is usually a twelve months more mature and then he is twelve months more knowledgeable than once we drafted them. You are able to see your talents in his game – a chance to make takes on and he carries a authentic edge against their competitors. You verify him get older along with experience which readiness process that a young child undergoes off their set up twelve months. You furthermore see it from your cultural perspective.

LAKings.org: Along with what regarding Jackson?

McEwen: You are free to see him or her finish one more year and that he has been the highest goalie in the European Little league this current year. His advancement from when many of us produced him to help camping immediately after being a non-drafted gambler and deciding upon him or her has become incredible. He has been a actual steady person with regard to Calgary and the man is just about the large good reasons they can be within this contest.

ABOUT BRENT McEWEN
Brent McEwen continues to be a newbie hunt for your Noblemen due to the fact 04. Prior to be able to signing up for the actual Leaders, McEwen loved the diverse track record to be a gm, instructor in addition to tutor.

From 1997-2004, McEwen helped your Saskatoon Mower blades with the American Dance shoes League, in which he organised this subject connected with general manager, hockey as well as company procedures. He also ended up being mixed up in the Category exactly where they ended up being chairman from the workforce companies board; affiliated with the officiating and schooling committees; as well as different governor.

Prior to help joining this Mower blades, McEwen used 4 years within The european countries. For a single year this individual had been the national staff go coach for your Norwegian Ice Baseball Federation. Within 1995-96, this individual seemed to be the actual top mentor for Rogle BK from the Remedial Top notch League, along with before he provided for just two months because the brain mentor intended for Vita Hasten of the Remedial Department Just one little league.

Before enrolling in your expert rates, McEwen pertaining to Decade did wonders for the College or university of Saskatchewan where by their duties integrated instruction the College Tennis System; Growth and Management of the particular Baseball School; as well as educating.

A own associated with Whitewood, Saskatchewan, McEwen, Fifty four, graduated from your School connected with Saskatchewan with 1983. He with his fantastic better half, Ellen, have a couple of children: a new child, Duncan, and also a girl, Kirsten. They are now living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.