Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 09 November 2024
Car Nicobar Island came alive with vibrant festivities as the Carnic Festival 2024 commenced on November 7 at Edward Kutchat Park, Perka Village. The three-day celebration, organized by the District Administration of Car Nicobar, was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Ms. Jyoti Kumari, IAS, with Superintendent of Police Mr. Sunny Gupta, IPS, as the guest of honour. The opening day saw participation from Heads of Departments and members of the local community, all gathered to celebrate the island’s rich cultural heritage and entrepreneurial spirit.
The Carnic Festival 2024 celebrates the indigenous Nicobarese culture with traditional music, dance performances, and stalls operated by various line departments. Eleven Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the DAY-NRLM program displayed handmade crafts, food items, organic homegrown vegetables, and authentic Nicobarese delicacies. Nine stalls were allocated to SHGs, providing a valuable platform for women artisans to showcase their craftsmanship, fostering both economic empowerment and community development.
Despite limited staffing for the National Rural Livelihood Mission at the Car Nicobar CD Block, the participating SHGs saw notable success on the festival’s first day. SHGs from Sawai Village recorded sales of ₹12,350, while groups from Big Lapathy Village made sales worth ₹3,752. This “SHG Mela” empowers local communities, especially women, by promoting economic independence and offering opportunities to expand their small businesses.
Villagers from across Car Nicobar joined the festivities, which included captivating cultural dances and traditional Nicobarese music. The celebration will continue until November 9, drawing participants and visitors from all walks of life to honour the spirit of the Nicobarese people and the beauty of their culture.