Chetlat

The Chetlat Island is 56 km on the north of the Amini and 432 km (233 nautical miles) away from Kochi. It lies between 11° 41' and 11° 43' N latitude and 72° 41' and 72° 43' E longitude having an area of 1.40 sq km. The island has 2.68 km length, 0.59 km breadth at the broadest point and has a lagoon of 1.60 sq km. Along the eastern side of the island, there is a wide belt of coral delta formed by storms, which broadens at the north and covers the whole southern end of the island. History      The early history of Chetlat says that, it had suffered cruelty at the hands of the Portuguese pirates in the 16th century. Many indigenous people of Chetlat were executed while others were put behind the bars by the robbers of Portugal who used to invade the island from the sea. Chetlat is located 35 km northwest from Kiltan, on the northern edge of the Amindivi Islands group The island is covered with coconut palms, cotton, jack fruit and drumstick trees. The world famous fish tuna is found in large shoals in the deep seas around Chetlat. Whales and tortoises are also found in the surrounding areas of the island. Water sports facilities are available in the island. The main occupation of the inhabitants is fishing and coir twisting. Boat building is a flourishing industry in the island. The nearest inhabited island is Kiltan which is around 13 km from Chetlat. Chetlat is about90 km from Mangalore (Karnataka), 100 km from Kannur and 110 km from Kozhikode (Kerala). Population    The population estimation done in 2009 by the directorate of planning in Lakshadweep suggests that the population of the island is 2545. Out of this 1271 are males and 1274 are females. The sex ratio of the island is 1002 females per 1000 males which suggest one among the best sex ratio in the island which favors female. As per the latest census figures in 2001 the population of Chetlat is 2291 out of which 2234 belong to the scheduled tribe population. 59 families are below the poverty line out of the total 469 families. This suggests a poverty ratio of 12.58 percent. The decennial population growth of the island over the ten years period from 1991-2001 is 11.70 percent. A review of the population trend suggests that the population has grown from 2051 in 1991 to 2291 in 2001. The average family size comes to 4.9 per family. In terms of the density of population the island ranked 7 in 2001 which was rank 3 in 1951 and was 5 in 1991. However the density in actual number of population increased from 911 in 1951 to 2203 in 2001. Literacy     According to the 2001 census figures the literacy rate of Lakshadweep comes to 86.66 which was 67% in 1991 census year. The literacy rate of Chetlat as per 2001 census year is 84.3% which is marginally below the over all average of the Lakshadweep. Out of this female literacy is 79.47 and male literacy is 88.92. lighthouse    Google satellite viewprobably shows the shadow of the lighthouse. Another sibling of the Amini Light. Chetlat is a small, isolated island on the northeast side of the Amindivis. Boat transportation is available about once a week from the other islands. Located by the pier on the west side of the island. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F0749; NGA 27588.

Kadmat island

  Kadmat is situated (11o13' north latitude; 72 o48' east longitude) 407 kms. far from Kochi (Cochin), Kerala. Kadmat is 8 Km long and 550 m wide at the broadest point. Surrounded on the eastern and western side by the lagoon, Kadmat is the ideal haven of solitude. 

  The beautiful shallow lagoons that forms an ideal spot for water sports activities. There is very large lagoon on the western side abounding in coral growths. This little island has an astonishing variety of marine flora and fauna. The best attractions are the long sandy beaches and the sand banks on the southern tip for sunbath. Full text at: "Kadmat Island"
  The resort at Kadmat offers peace and solitude at the isolated South tip of the island. The rooms offer fantastic views of the encircling lagoons and waking up to Dolphins frolicking just beyond the reef at sunrise is part of the charm at Kadmat. A full-fledged water sports institute is functional at Kadmat. Full text at: "Kadmat Island Resort"
   Attractions in the island of Kadmat include the long sandy beaches, water sports, aesthetic tourist huts, coconut groves, scuba diving, glass bottomed boats, and many more. 
    
  Kadmat (Marine Wealth Awareness Programme) covers 6 days package to Kadmat to showcase the richness and beauty of marine life. Sea passage is by MV Tippu Sultan new passenger vessels m.v Amindivi and m.v Minicoy. You can spend 4 fun-filled days on this island swimming, snorkeling or indulging in water sports.

   Kadmat (MWA) has been identified for staying tourists with its tourists huts aesthetically situated in the coconut palm groves in the beaches facing the lagoon. The place is ideal for a real holiday that brings you away from the maddening crowd, hustle and bustle of city life.
    
   Kadmat is one of the most popular islands with tourists. About 10 km from Amini, the island has a huge lagoon on the west, which abounds in spectacular coral growth. There is a long shoreline that sports a fine beach and is also ideal for swimming.

    In 1948, some gold coins belonging to the Roman Emperors of the 1st and 2nd centuries were found on a beach at Kadmat. This leads one to believe that outsiders visited the island very early on.

    Facilities for tourists include tourist huts situated some distance away from habitation. Airconditioned and non-airconditioned huts are available. A Water Sports Institute providing water sports facilities set up in Kadmat recently offers snorkelling and scuba diving courses.

Scuba Diving
    
    A wealth of relatively new, untouched dive sites in the world. There are opportunities for divers of all levels of experience, and most dive locations are within an easy boat trip from the shore. Diving is very enjoyable and is the only sport where you feel that you are in a zero gravity environment. 

  

   A particularly fine lagoon, of even depth and an endless shoreline, perfect for swimming, makes Kadmat a haven of solitude. The tourist huts are situated some distance away from habitation, with only the splash of the waves to break the silence. It is the only island with lagoons on both eastern and western sides.

   A Water Sports Institute providing water sports facilities has been set up in Kadmat. Accommodation consists of AC and non AC tourist huts aesthetically situated in the coconut palm groves on the beaches. The island is becoming increasingly popular for honeymooners. As a testimony to its Water Sports potential, a Scuba Diving Centre has been set up there. 





Lighthouse

   (Cardamum Island)1984. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); four white flashes every 20 s. 30 m (98 ft) square skeletal tower with gallery, painted white; there is a 1-story concrete equipment room inside the base. A 2010 photo is available, Neil Better has a distant view, and an indistinct Google satellite view may show the tower. This is a sibling of the Amini Light. Kadmat, located about 5 km (3 mi) north of Amini, is about 10 km (6 mi) long, making it one of the largest islands of Lakshadweep. The island is accessible by a weekly passenger ferry from Cochin. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS LAK-005; Admiralty F0754.2; NGA 27592.

 How To Reach

    Kadmat island is basically a ship based destination. Air and sea package connecting a flight from Kochi to Agatti. A boat from Agatti to Kadmat takes 45nml/2 to 4 hr.





To see more pictures from KADMATH ISLAND  Click the below link ;

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/102658266242435874615/albums/5881173721536087521

Minicoy island

   

Minicoy, locally known as Maliku (Dhivehi: މަލިކު [məliku]; Malayalam: മലിക്കു) is a census town in the Indian union territory of Lakshadweep and was formerly a part of Maldive Islands. 

History

Maliku Atoll has been under Indian administrations since mid 16th century. It was the northernmost atoll of historical Maldives before mid 16th century. In December 1976, India and the Maldives signed a maritime boundary treaty whereby Maliku was placed on the Indian side of the boundary.[2]



   However, on 26 July 1982, Abdulla Hameed, the half-brother of Maldivian president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and the Minister of Atolls for the Maldivian government, gave a speech in which he declared that Minicoy Island was part of the Maldives.[3] The speech caused a minor diplomatic crisis between India and the Maldives, and Gayoom clarified that the speech was intended to highlight the linguistic, cultural, and religious ties between the Maldives and Minicoy and that the Maldives was not intending to make a political claim over the atoll.

Culture 

                                                                                                                   lighthouse in minicoy island

  The cultural traits of Minicoy differ from those of any other island in Lakshadweep. Manners, customs, lifestyle and food are similar to those of the Maldives to the south of Minicoy and Malikubas(Officially referred as Mahl by the Lakshadweep administration), a dialect of Dhivehi language is spoken on the island.[4] Like in other Dhivehi speaking communities it is the Tāna script, written from right to left which is used in writings.

   The social structure is anthropologically interesting, being a matrilineal Muslim society with natolocal residence. A man will live in either his mother's or his wife's house. Remarriage for both men and women is accepted. Property is inalienable and owned by "houses" (matrilineal  descent groups). As Muslims, they have conservative customs and traditions and yet they are liberal in approach. Here a man after marriage stays a member of his own mother's house throughout his life. Quite frequently Minicoy is referred to as the 'female island' mentioned in the travelogue of Marco Polo.

  Reflecting the rich indigenous traditions, the local people of the Minicoy Island, celebrate their festivals with much pomp and show. The colorful and attractive folk dances of Dandi, Lava, Fuli, Bandiya and Thaara reflects the culture of the Minicoy island.

  Thuraakunu in the Maldives is the closest island to Minicoy. Formerly there was direct trade between both, and fishermen from both islands used to visit each other. This exchange continued even after Minicoy became part of the Indian Union after independence. However, since 1956 the Indian government has forbidden these visits between two nations.The people of maliku are known for best seamen's in the world & also well known for boat building and other craft.The Indian seafers was originated from maliku island.

 

  The semilunar shaped island of Minicoy has a vast reserve of the unique flora and fauna of the region. The nothern extension of the Minicoy island is called Viringili or the Small Pox island. This part of the island derived its name from the fact that the patients affected with the deadly disease of small pox were kept in Viringili for proper medical care.


There are a total of eleven villages in Maliku. In order from North to South, they are:

   Kendifarty
   Fallessery
   Kudehi
  Funhilolu
  Aloodi
  Sedivalu
  Rammedu
  Boduathiri
  Aoumagu
  Bada
  South Bandaara

   They have a combined population of 9,500.

Education:

   Though the Administration has made sure that each Island (There are 10 inhabited Islands in Lakshadweep) must have 1 High School (10+2), 1 Junior Basic School (upto class V) and 1 Senior Basic School (Class 6-10) but Minicoy has one major residential school i.e. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (Class 6-12). 

   

  Nobody is interested in higher education or higher education support system because they do not feel the need; also they want to maintain their exclusivity …. The very discussion about providing a unit for higher education was met with strong rejection stating all sorts of problems that the providers will face if they try to come to Minicoy with that mindset….However, the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya is the King of Schools there with the IT infrastructure that could be the envy of any Public school also of an Urban Land….40 computers, LCD Projector, Scanner, CD Writers, and VSAT Connectivity …..adorned the air-conditioned computer Department.

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya

   Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Lakshadweep, is an important ediucational chain, active in the field of imparting education to little ones in Lakshadweep.

    Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya opened the first school in Lsakdsdweep in the year1988 with an objective to address not only the educational needs of students in the state but also to inculcate modern education and general awareness amongst the underprivileged and weaker sections of society. Today thousands of students are given quality education by Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.


sports conducted in jnv...    
  Today, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya offers updated curricula and syllabus in asccorfance with new amendments of the government of India’s New Education Policy (NEP).

   Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) conducted by the CBSE is a tough entrance procedure, employed by the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya to shortlist bright students for its schools.

MICROSOFT TRAINING:

   The Microsoft training wasattended by 40 teacher/administrators trainees (17 from the JNV including the Principal, 21 from the Administration Schools, 1 Senior Publicity Officer of Minicoy and 1 Port Assistant, Minicoy) 

   

The training was received with total dedication, interest and commitment. Almost all the teachers promised to utilize their learning after the completion of the training. The word had started spreading so fast that the teachers from other Islands were calling up to know whether more of such sessions will be held at a later date. The Chief Guest at the inauguration of ‘Project Shiksha’ was Lt. Commander Dadwal (Head of the Navy Detachment, Minicoy, Andaman) and was attended by the Head Master of the Administration’s High School. The enthusiasm of doing something new was evident by the promises of the trainees of this Microsoft training.

Coral reefs in minicoy island 

    Lighthouse in minicoy

videos


 

Solar power station:
    There is a solar power plant situated at south side of this island .
Any one can visit here , it is not well as developed  and generating voltage.As soon as possible it will develope.

Transportation :

Transportation  to any where from this island is possible only by  through ships and helicopters.There is a helipad situated in south side of this island, from there every one get helicopter. It is near to the tourist hut in this island. By booking tickets or you can collect the tickets from the counter you can enter in to the helicopter . There will be security for safety purpose .

  There are two jetty in west side of the island. One is or the main jetty is for using transportation to ship and other one is for fisher-vise  side.
  There is one breakwater  in eastern side of this island for transportation purpose to the ships by boats.