Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 27 December 2024
The Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), led the Islanders in a solemn tribute to the victims of the devastating 2004 Tsunami on its 20th anniversary. The commemoration took place at the Tsunami Memorial located at the Water Sports Complex on 26th December 2024, organized by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
The ceremony began with the Lt. Governor laying a wreath and offering floral tributes at the memorial, honouring those who lost their lives in the tragedy. He was joined by the First Lady of A&N Islands, Mrs. Chitra Joshi, who also paid her respects. Other dignitaries, including DGP Mr. H.G.S. Dhaliwal, IPS, PCCF Mr. Sanjay Kumar Sinha, IFS, Senior Vice Chairperson of SVPMC Mr. V. Ravi Chandran, Councillors of SVPMC, senior officers of the administration, and prominent citizens, participated in the solemn occasion. School students and members of the general public were also present to pay homage.
As part of the remembrance, an all-religion prayer meeting (Sarva Dharma Prarthana Sabha) was conducted, symbolising unity and collective grief. A two-minute silence was observed to honour the memory of the lives lost in the catastrophic event, which deeply impacted the region and its people.
The 2004 Tsunami remains one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent history, and the ceremony served as a poignant reminder of its impact while showcasing the resilience and unity of the Islanders in moving forward.