Andaman & Nicobar Islands

05/12/2025

Hermit crabs don’t grow their own homes. Their soft bodies need protection, so they scavenge empty snail shells and upgrade to larger ones as they grow. This has created a competitive housing market in tide pools and beaches, where crabs often battle or queue up for a better shell. As plastic waste floods coastlines, some hermit crabs have begun occupying bottle caps, broken containers, and other trash. It’s a survival hack in a human-altered world, but also a reminder that our garbage is reshaping even the smallest lives on the shore.




Andaman & Nicobar Islands

15/10/2025

In 1998, deep in the Andaman forests, one doctor chose ...
Dr. Ratan Chandra Kar's story is about his life's work as a doctor for the Jarawa tribe in the Andaman Islands, where he saved them from near extinction during a 1999 measles outbreak by earning their trust through cultural sensitivity and medical expertise. His dedication, which began in 1998, involved learning their language, integrating traditional practices with modern medicine, and establishing a culturally sensitive hospital ward. For his efforts, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2023.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

23/09/2025

Barren Island, India’s only active volcano, erupted on 20 September 2025 in the Andaman Sea. The night sky lit up as fountains of lava, fire, and ash spewed from the crater, with molten streams flowing down the slopes and reflecting off the surrounding waters. Located about 135 km northeast of Port Blair, Barren Island is uninhabited but closely watched for volcanic activity. This latest eruption is a reminder of the island’s volatile nature and its place as South Asia’s only active volcanic site.

20/08/2025

This is your sign to visit the Andamans with the first person that pops up in your share list. 🌊 Tag them now and start planning your island escape!
The best time to visit the islands is from October to January, plan now...

07/07/2025

A peek into the past.

Carbyns Cove, Port Blair – over 60 years ago, untouched and timeless.

Atul Smriti Samity (Bengali Club) – a familiar corner from the late '80s or early '90s, full of memories.

Restored, but still holding all the stories.

28/05/2025

A Proud Moment – Honouring Dr. Rashida Iqbal

Though I couldn't be there in person, my heart is full of pride and admiration as I celebrate a remarkable milestone in the life of someone who has deeply influenced me—Dr. Rashida Iqbal, my Social Studies teacher and class teacher during classes 6th, 7th, and 8th at Model School.

Dr. Rashida has always been more than just a teacher; she was a guide, a mentor, and an inspiration. Her dedication to teaching and her passion for history left a lasting impression on all of us. Seeing her now as the author of The Story of Cellular Jail: Prison to Pilgrimage fills me with immense joy.

Her book is not just a literary work—it is a tribute to the rich and complex history of the Andaman Islands and the sacrifices of those who passed through the walls of the Cellular Jail. Dr. Rashida’s deep-rooted connection to the region and her lifelong commitment to preserving its stories have culminated in this powerful work.

The launch event on May 28, 2025, at the Andaman Club must have been a memorable occasion for everyone who attended. While I couldn’t be there, I celebrate this moment from afar with great pride, knowing that one of our very own has achieved something so meaningful.

Congratulations, ma'am! You continue to inspire us all.

With warmest wishes and heartfelt pride,
A Former Student of Model School

Order your copy now - https://amzn.in/d/7Augvbl

18/05/2025

The Story of Cellular Jail: Prison to Pilgrimage is a fascinating study of the Andaman penal settlement and the infamous Cellular Jail. It takes readers on an emotional journey through the lives of the freedom fighters who endured unimaginable suffering within its walls.

This gripping narrative reveals the untold stories of struggles, sacrifice, and an unyielding spirit as these patriots faced the brutalities of colonial oppression―not only from the British but also from the Japanese imperial force.

Authored by the daughter of a convict from Peshawar, the book reflects her deep connection to Cellular Jail, where she has been involved in various capacities for over two decades. Her firsthand experiences offer a unique perspective on the transformation of the jail from a site of imprisonment to a place of pilgrimage.

https://amzn.in/d/7Augvbl





Amazon.com
Rashida Iqbal

08/04/2025

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/world/asia/north-sentinel-island-us-man-arrested.html

An American YouTuber, Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, was arrested by Indian authorities for illegally attempting to contact the isolated and protected Sentinelese tribe on North Sentinel Island. He traveled alone by inflatable boat and left offerings like a can of Diet Coke and coconuts on the beach to make contact with the tribe, violating strict Indian laws that prohibit approaching the island. The Sentinelese are among the last uncontacted peoples in the world and are highly vulnerable to external diseases. This incident echoes the 2018 case where American missionary John Allen Chau was killed after making a similar attempt.

A 24-year-old American man went to a far-flung island in hopes of filming an encounter with the Sentinelese, the Indian authorities said. It is illegal to make contact with the tribe.

09/03/2025

Historical Significance of Andaman Day (March 10)

On March 10, 1858, the British established a penal colony in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, making it a site of exile for Indian freedom fighters and convicts.

The first group of 200 prisoners, including prominent rebels from the First War of Indian Independence (1857 Revolt), was sent to the Andamans.

The British used the islands as a "Kala Pani" (Black Water Punishment) colony, isolating political prisoners from mainland India.

The penal settlement later expanded into the infamous Cellular Jail in Port Blair.

08/03/2025

Short film contest- Join now

29/01/2025

Guess the location....