The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu attended the civic reception hosted in her honour this evening (March 18, 2023) at Kavaratti, Lakshadweep.

Addressing the gathering, the President said that Lakshadweep has huge potential for developing the seaweed industry. Cultivation of seaweed in Lakshadweep would drastically reduce the import bills of pharmaceutical companies and hotel industry which are banking on foreign products.

The President said that Lakshadweep Islands have high potential for tourism as these are blessed with scenic beauty of white sand beaches, coral and diversified marine ecosystem. She noted that the Administration is engaged in the development of high-end eco-tourism projects at Kadmat, Minicoy and Suheli as anchor projects under the aegis of NITI Aayog. She said that it is a matter of pride that India’s first water villas are going to be built in the blue lagoons of this Union Territory. She said these innovative initiatives in the field of tourism would boost the face of tourism in a big way. More importantly, it can emerge as a model of ecotourism for the whole world.

The President was happy to note that with a vision to develop the islands, the Lakshadweep Administration has been pushing for reforms to bring a total shift in the development trajectory of the islands during the last few years. She said that apart from giving a push to infrastructural development, right-sizing of government, and encouraging private sector participation, the Lakshadweep administration deserves special praise for setting up desalination plants in many islands to provide drinking water to people.

The President noted that Union Territory of Lakshadweep provides state-of-the-art facilities for school-children. Lakshadweep has a better teacher-pupil ratio than most other places in our country. She appreciated the Administration for its commitment and dedication to improve the school education system. She also noted that to empower students with vocational, employable and entrepreneurial skills, the Department of Education runs digital literacy courses in the schools of Lakshadweep. She expressed confidence that these efforts of the Department of Education would help children of this geographically insular region achieve their dreams.

The President said that in today’s era, it is crucial to have internet access for the overall development of any region. She was happy to note that a submarine optical fibre cable project in Lakshadweep would be completed within a couple of months.

The President said that since Lakshadweep is a geographically isolated place, the question of the supply of electricity may require extra consideration. Development of alternative sources of energy would safeguard the environment of these beautiful islands and also show the world a way for eco-friendly development.

New Delhi: Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today inaugurated two Colleges of Arts & Sciences in Kadmat and Androth islands on his first State visit to the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.

The Vice President, who is on a two-day tour of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, was received by the Administrator of the UT, Shri Praful Patel and was accorded a guard of honour on his arrival on Friday.

Addressing the gathering at Kadmat island today, Shri Naidu expressed happiness about his first official visit to the islands as the Vice President of India. He said that Lakshadweep boasts of a ‘unique confluence of ancient cultural heritage and pristine natural beauty’ and that he was humbled by the hospitality of the people.

Praising the beauty of Lakshadweep, he appealed to people that everyone must try to visit the islands at least once in their lifetime. Inaugurating the two colleges, Shri Naidu said that the courses being offered will help the students of the islands, especially the girl students, overcome the geographical constraints of the region and pursue quality higher education with employment potential.

The Vice President, who is also the Chancellor of the Pondicherry University to which the colleges are affiliated to, emphasized the importance of skill development among students. He advised the administration to start more short courses in skill development toincrease the employability of the islands’ youth.

Observing the immense eco-tourism and fisheries potential of Lakshadweep, Shri Naidu called upon the youth of the islands to utilise the courses offered in aquaculture, tourism and hospitality and proactively strive for excellence in these sectors where they have a natural advantage.

He expressed confidence that the new colleges “will not only serve the aspirations of the youth of the islands, but have a powerful multiplier effect and redefine the socio-economic landscape of the region.”

The Vice President emphasized that the development of the Lakshadweep islands is integral to the development of the nation.

Shri Naidu lauded the resolve of the people and administration of Lakshadweep for enforcing the complete ban on single use plastic on the islands. He also appreciated the fact that islands are moving towards 100 percent shift to green energy in a span of two years.

He called for a people’s movement for continuing the high cleanliness standards of the island under the ‘Swachh Lakshadweep’ program.

Highlighting the importance of ‘application’ in education, Shri Naidu called upon the youth of the islands to also look for innovative solutions for long-standing issues of the islands such as the scarcity of potable water. He said the “real power of education gets unleashed when knowledge, skills and values are applied to bring about a transformation in the lives of the people.”

Referring to tourism and fisheries as the great strengths of Lakshadweep, Shri Naidu said islands should aspire to become the role model for the country in eco-tourism and sustainable fisheries, without risking its fragile and sensitive biodiversity. He noted various initiatives such as submarine optical fibre connectivity, expansion of airports, strengthening of infrastructure and plan to introduce water villas on some islands as laudable efforts.

On the aspect of livelihoods, Shri Naidu highlighted an imminent need to upgrade the skills of people and make them up-to-date with global standards. He called for ensuring highest quality output, with better value-addition and greater visibility to build a brand name for products from Lakshadweep.

The Vice President appreciated efforts in large-scale cultivation of seaweed, measures to modernise the fisheries sector and steps towards increasing production of organic coconut oil and coir, among others.

On this occasion, Shri Naidu advised the youth to take up physical activities such as yoga and sports for a fit body and sound mind. He also distributed equipment such as coconut tree climbing devices and other implements to beneficiaries.

Shri Praful Patel, Administrator, UT of Lakshadweep, Shri Mohammed Faizal PP, Member of Parliament, Shri Gurmeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, Pondicherry University, senior officials, students, teachers and others were present during the event.

New Delhi: The Union Territory of Lakshadweep has reported its first ever case of COVID-19 on 18.01.2021. The index case is a traveler who had come to Lakshadweep from Kochi in Kerala on 4th January 2021 by a ship. The case had reported to hospital with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 and was tested positive. Initially 31 primary contacts of the index case have been traced and quarantined of which 14 have now been found to be positive and have been isolated. 56 contacts of positive cases detected so far have also been traced and quarantined. The UT Administration has initiated disinfection procedures and intensive risk-communication activity has been operationalized.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has rushed a Central multi-disciplinary team to Lakshadweep. The team comprises of experts drawn from Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry; National Institute of Virology, Pune and Regional Office of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The team shall assist UT Administration in COVID-19 containment activities.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare continues to monitor the situation and the UT Administration will be provided with requisite support.