Some six or seven months ago, in our class group on WhatsApp, someone reminded all of us that it had been 50 years since we joined our alma mater, Sainik School, Kazhakootam, in fifth grade. That was in 1974.
Didn't that call for a celebration? Yes! There was a chorus of approval.
After considering various destinations, we decided on a trip to the Andaman Islands. None of us had been there, at least not recently.
The planning began in right earnest.
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| Source: Andaman & Nicobar Administration |
INTRODUCTION
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal, east of the mainland of India. They lie closer to Thailand in the east and Myanmar in the north.
The whole territory spans around 8,000 sq. km. (3,000 sq. miles) and has 836 islands, of which only 31 are inhabited. The population is around 400,000.
To the north are the Andamans, comprising some 300 islands, and to the south are the Nicobar Islands, comprising 22 islands.
It's a popular tourist spot because of the lush greenery (especially during the post-monsoon season), beautiful landscape, vast stretch of beaches, cruises, and a wide variety of water sports.
It's also known for its historical connections with India's freedom struggle, which I will discuss in my subsequent posts.
The indigenous occupants of the islands are different tribes, many of which have either vanished or are in decline because of their reluctance to adapt to mainstream civilisation and scientific lifestyles.
The Sentinelese, among them, are considered very hostile to human beings and "probably the world's only Paleolithic people surviving today without contact with any other group or community".
Onges is another. They have been receptive to the government's development schemes (there is an elementary school for them), and their population is stable at around 118.
The islands they live are either unapproachable or barred by law.
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| Source: Andaman & Nicobar Tourism |
There were 93 of us on the trip, including 44 classmates, spouses of most of us, and children of a few. It was a six-day trip from April 9 to 14.
It could have been a logistical nightmare. But to make it work, we formed multiple groups, did some excellent planning well in advance, made full use of modern communication channels, and ensured seamless, cohesive coordination among all of us so that everything went smoothly.
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Looking forward to reading your interesting travelogue to Andaman Island.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteOooh, that sounds like fun. Especially if you were with a group you enjoyed. I look forward to the subsequent posts.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a good fun trip.
DeleteHow interesting. I gather it was a successful trip. I have a vague memory of maybe a western missionary, a few years ago being killed on an island where the local tribe was hostile to anyone who wasn't one of them. Maybe it was Sentinelese.
ReplyDeleteYes, Andrew, it was a good, fun trip, connecting with some friends after decades! Many local tribes are indeed hostile. Learning more about them also gives us some perspectives on what we consider as "development".
DeleteWow! that's pretty impressive organization Pradeep - and that you had that many classmates all wanting to do a reunion is even more amazing. I'd never heard of these islands (my geography is woeful!) but they look beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Leanne - Yes it was quite an enjoyable trip especially meeting up with some of my friends after a long time.
DeleteSo pleased for you that your reunion was so successful. The Sentinelese sound interesting - I'd love to know more about them, but gather (via Wikipedia) that they are spectacularly unfriendly.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yes, most of the tribes are unfriendly and are very sceptical when people from the mainland come to their island.
DeleteSuper. Post some photos as well..
ReplyDeleteHi Rajesh - Sure. I will post photos
DeleteI'll be interested to see the rest of your posts. It sounds like a fascinating area.
ReplyDeleteYes, quite far away from the mainland, mainly for the natural beauty and water sports.
DeleteHi Pradeep - how very interesting ... and what an amazing reunion. I too looked up the Sentinelese and the islands and have read about them ... fascinating to learn more. Brilliant - looking forward to your future posts - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hilary. Yes, it was a wonderful trip catching up with friends, some of them after a long, long time.
DeleteHave always wanted to visit this place
ReplyDeleteHi Pooja - It's a nice place. Lots to see! You should go.
DeleteWow! I'd tolerate my most disliked former classmates for a trip like this. :D Be well!
ReplyDeleteHi - Thank you. :-)
DeleteOoooh, j'ai hâte de lire la suite ! Bravo pour l'organisation, ce n'est pas toujours simple avec un grand groupe.
ReplyDeleteBien sûr! plus suit.
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