Andaman and Nicobar
The name of the Andaman Islands is ancient. A theory that became prevalent since the late 19th century is that it derives from Hanuman, the Malay form of Hanuman, the Sanskrit name of the Indian monkey-god. The Andaman Islands are a group of Indian Ocean archipelagic islands in the Bay of Bengal, between the Indian peninsula to the west and Burma to the north and east.
Places Covered: Cellular Jail, Rose Island, Bara Tank (Jarwa Adi wasi), Wonder Beach, Radha Nagar Beach, Havelock
Cellular Jail
Cellular Jail - , located at Port Blair, stood mute witness to the tortures meted out to the freedom fighters, who were incarcerated in this Jail. The Jail, completed in the year 1906 acquired the name, ‘cellular’ because it is entirely made up of individual cells for the solitary confinement of the prisoners. It originally was a seven pronged, puce-coloured building with central tower acting as its fulcrum and a massive structure comprising honeycomb like corridors. The building was subsequently damaged and presently three out of the seven prongs are intact. The Jail, now a place of pilgrimage for all freedom loving people, has been declared a National Memorial
Hovelock Island - Hovelock is a picturesque natural paradise with beautiful white sandy beaches, rich coral reefs and lush green forest. It is one of the populated islands in the andaman group with an area of 113 sq. km. and is located 39 km of north-east of Port Blair. This island, with beautiful sandy beaches fringed with green canopy of the rain-fed forests beckons everyone to enjoy the frolic and fun at the azure sea.
Jarawa Adhivasi - The Jarawa are one of the Adivasi indigenous peoples of the Andaman Islands in India. Their present numbers are estimated at between 250–400 individuals. Along with other indigenous Andamanese peoples, they have inhabited the islands for at least several thousand years, and most likely a great deal longer.
The Jarawa are still at the primitive stage of life on earth. They entirely depend upon forest and sea for food. Wild boar (Susscorfa andamanensis) and monitor lizard (varanus salvator andamananesis) are happily consumed but not deer ('topiaali' in jarawa language) and bird (''noha' in jarawa language). The deers are found in plenty in 'Jarawa reserve'. Various kinds of fruit and tubers too are parts of their diet. Many other forest produces which we are not aware of are used by the Jarawas in their food.