#AtoZChallenge Day01: A for Amazing Andamans

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a tourist destination for the travel junkies a once in a lifetime experiences, for the Indians (not trying to offend anyone here) they are just a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal, another Union Territory and for rest of the world some land in the world map. But there is MUCH MORE to these beautiful islands.

Over the years i have read many travel blogs where people have penned down their experiences and memories of these islands and am sure you can do that too if you want to know about this place. So, i decided why not being born and brought up in these islands i should take you on a tour to these islands with me. So if you are ready and excited, hop on!!!

ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS are a group of picturesque Islands, big and small, inhabited and uninhabited, a total of 572 islands, islets and rocks lying in the South Eastern Part of the Bay of Bengal.They lie along an arc in long and narrow broken chain, approximately North-South over a distance nearly 800 kms. It is logical to presume a former land connection form Cape Negris at South part of Burma to Achin Head (Cape Pedro) in Andalas (Sumatra).

Administration: The two island groups Andaman and Nicobar are divided by a 10 degree channel. The capital being Port Blair which falls in the Andaman group of islands. The administration is directly governed by the Central Govt in New Delhi under the Governor . Being located in a very strategic location which is important for the security of the country it hosts the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the only tri-service geographical command of the Indian Armed Forces.

Natives: Apart from the strategic geographical location it also is the home to the only known Paleolithic people, the Sentinelese peopel who have no contact with the outside world including the people residing in the islands. There are about seven native tribes to these islands which is just one of the other faces to these islands.

Presence in the world history: Besides the beautiful blue clear waters, mesmerizing beaches which is delight to the photographers eye the islands have witnessed the most dreadful of times in history – the Indian Independence Struggle for Freedom. Once known as the Kalapani the word itself used to send down shivers to the prisoners back in the 1900’s. Rules by many of dynasties like the Cholas, Marathas followed by Danish colonial and Britishers until the set up the World Famous Cellular Jail which was where the prisoners were tortured to death as part of the penal colony settlement for the convicts. 

The islands were under control by the Japanese during the World War II During the independence of both India (1947) and Burma (1948), the departing British announced their intention to resettle all Anglo-Indians and Anglo-Burmese on these islands to form their own nation, although this never materialized. It became part of India in 1950 and was declared as a union territory of the nation in 1956.

The islands have also been witness to one of the most dreaded nature’s fury – the 2004 December TSUNAMI. Just half an hour away from the epicenter of the earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia the islands were devastated by the 33ft high water walls there by killing almost over 10000 islanders and leaving more than half the population homeless. The worst affected were the Nicobar and Katchal islands along with Indira point(the southern most tip of India). While locals and tourist of the islands suffered the greatest casualties from the tsunami, most of the aboriginal people survived because oral traditions passed down from generations ago warned them to evacuate from large waves that follow large earthquakes.

With all this to its history these islands is one of the most well known tourist destinations for Indian travellers and in the world. The beaches in these islands are one of the worlds best and one among them the Radhanagar beach has been rated as Asia’s best beach and the World’s 8th best beach by the Trip Advisor. The tropical rainforest canopy helps in the growth of some unexplored flora and fauna of the world. The amazing marine life makes even the non swimmers take a deep dive during the scuba to see it from their own eyes.

Radhanagar beach Courtesy – makemytrip

Well well can’t just write everything here cause this blog post alone would be too short to accommodate all the amazing things these amazing islands have to tell you. So all this and more in the next chapter s of the #AtoZChallenge 🙂 

From a recent trip Feb 2017 with my friends who had come down to visit these islands. An awesome one week trip. This is on the beaches of Neil Island

 

 

Today is also a special day as its my brother Sanjay’s birthday!!! Here is my fav pic of the two of us then and now and a message to him

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Growing up as a kid wouldn’t have been a happy memory if it was not you by my side to fight and play. Thank you for always showing me the right path, standing up for me in front of mom and dad and sharing my share of scolding and beatings.For making sure am not hurt by anyone or anything, for keeping your calm and being strong in front of me the entire time when mom passed away so that i don’t cry..for deciding to move back home so that i can continue my career here in Bangalore and many other moments. I have memories with you that would always make me want to be born as your little sister again and again ❤ ❤ ❤
You have been my strength all this while and shall forever be. I know you would do anything in this world to make me happy. I love you. Hope you have the best birthday brother Be the coolest Sanjay that everyone knows you for. To the most handsome man i have known, the one with most warmest heart and the strongest man who always stands up for his loved ones and beyond. I love you and i miss you tons. Loads of hugs and kisses to the most charming brother one can have.

Wishing all the participants the very best! Let the games begin and celebrate the joy of Blogging 🙂 

–Live.Love.Laugh and Keep Blogging!!! ❤