Nicobar Narratives

We’ve all got our daily routines: a cup of tea, breakfast, maybe a quick scroll through the news. And then, like clockwork, there’s the inevitable guest we didn’t ask for—power cuts. It’s almost like the power department is playing a game of “Guess when we’ll go dark today!” But don’t worry, we islanders have come to accept it. After all, just like our fundamental rights, these power cuts have become part of our daily lives—our birthright, if you will. We don’t just live with them; we own them. Power Cuts Without Intimation: Our Daily Surprise Party Imagine waking up every morning wondering, “Will today be a full electricity day, or just half?” Power cuts around here are like surprise parties—except there’s no cake, no fun, just darkness. And then, just when you think you’ve survived the random blackouts, Saturday rolls in with its official power cut. Yes, this one comes with a notice! Because why give you electricity on a relaxing weekend when you can sit in the dark, sweating? The be...

In a land of tropical trees, serene beaches, and islands where history runs deep, a name can mean a lot. But why let something like "public opinion" or "history" get in the way when you can have fun renaming a city overnight? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your hats (or should I say helmets, because things are moving fast), Port Blair is now officially Sri VijayaPuram! Or wait... BharatPuram? Or was it Singapore Bay? We seem to have so many options that even those in power can't keep up!   A Renaming Rollercoaster The big decision to rename the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands was made by none other than a distinguished panel of our Mainland’s finest — including IAS, IPS officers, Government town planners, secretaries, and a good ol’ bunch of elected representatives. Now, don’t get me wrong, having officials making decisions for our beautiful island makes perfect sense… if only any of them were actually from here. That’s right. Out of the 16-member...

Ah, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands—an archipelago of beauty, history, and...well, administration. If there’s ever been a place where the phrase “water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink” hits home quite literally, it’s here. The islands, surrounded by the azure waters of the Bay of Bengal, are famed for their diving spots, exotic beaches, and now, perhaps their bureaucracy that spends more time underwater than above ground (in more ways than one). The Andaman and Nicobar Administration, affectionately (or sarcastically) referred to as the Yes Sir Administration, seems to have developed a rather curious relationship with the Central Government. They say the islanders’ issues are too "complex" to solve, which must explain why the focus has shifted to breaking Guinness World Records. And not for roads, water supply, or basic utilities mind you—no, for scuba diving, of course. Because nothing says “good governance” like setting records for diving deep while letting press...