Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 09 March 2025
The Andaman & Nicobar Tour Operators Association (ANTOA), in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK), Sri Vijaya Puram, hosted a grand celebration of International Women’s Day at Hotel TSG Emerald View. The event honoured the significant contributions of women entrepreneurs and professionals in the Andaman tourism industry.
The event was graced by Mr. Vinayak Chamadia, IAS, Additional Divisional Magistrate (ADM/SDM), South Andaman, as the Chief Guest. In his address, he highlighted the vital role of women in the tourism sector and their increasing influence in shaping the industry. He noted that women’s participation in family decision-making has strengthened, enabling them to balance careers and household responsibilities effectively.
Guest of Honour Mr. Prakash Vaidya, Joint Director, NYKS, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, emphasized the importance of women in community-driven tourism and their ability to bring inclusivity and innovation to the sector. He also underscored the role of education in women’s empowerment, stating that an educated woman uplifts not only her family but the entire society, paving the way for a more progressive and equitable future.
Mr. N. Velmurugan, Assistant Director, India Tourism, Sri Vijaya Puram, praised the resilience of women entrepreneurs and stressed the need for more support and recognition for their efforts. He pointed out that women are making a stronger impact in politics and governance, assuming leadership roles and influencing policies that benefit the community.
Special guests Mr. TSG Bhaskar and Mrs. Rekha Bhaskar from TSG Hotels & TSG Foundation acknowledged the immense contributions of women in hospitality and tourism services. They highlighted the increasing number of women entrepreneurs successfully running businesses and creating job opportunities.
Mr. Sukha Ranjan Biswas, Deputy Director (OSD), encouraged initiatives promoting women’s leadership in the tourism sector. He noted that women’s presence in social work and activism has been instrumental in driving change and advocating for equal rights. The evening also featured a heartfelt poem on “Nari Samman” recited by Mr. Gopal Ch. Biswas, NYK District Coordinator, which resonated deeply with the audience.
Dr. Sunita Patil, Youth Motivator and NYK Volunteer, delivered an inspiring speech on the importance of women’s leadership and empowerment in tourism. She emphasized the growing financial independence of women, highlighting their increasing involvement in investments and securing their futures.
The event, hosted by Mr. Wahid Shah, was attended by esteemed dignitaries, industry leaders, and tourism enthusiasts. A cultural performance by NYK participants added to the celebrations.
A special appreciation ceremony was held to honour outstanding women who have played a pivotal role in shaping the tourism, social, educational, and self-employment sectors in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The awardees included Anuradha Rao (Tourist Guide, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island), Ratna Kannan (Proprietor, Annapurna Restaurant), Nalini K. Nair (Senior Investigator Officer, Tourism Department), Dr. Sunita Patil (Mentor, Tourism & Social Activist), Georgina Baa (Hotel Services – Dedicated to Tourist Relations for Two Decades), Fathima Feroz (Proprietor, Mughlai Restaurant), Mamta Tirkey (Lifeguard, RGWSC Sri Vijaya Puram), Suruchi Barick (Lifeguard, North Bay), Poonam Nanda (Proprietor, Sea Scape Hotel), and Madhavi Halder (Tour Operator). Also recognized were Jaya, Ragi, Asha Rani, M. Nisha, Manjana Arora, B. Kavitha, and Selvi, all tour operators from ANTOA, along with Bilkish Banu (Tour Operator) and Vaishali Devi (Tourism Promoter & Blogger).
The program’s success was attributed to the efforts of all association members who worked together to ensure a memorable event. Mr. Simson, President, ANTOA, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the guests, awardees, and organizers for making the celebration a resounding success.
The International Women’s Day event not only recognized the invaluable contributions of women but also reinforced the need to empower them further, ensuring their continued success in the tourism industry and beyond.