Andaman and Nicobar to play important role in self-reliant India programme: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while interacting with BJP workers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands through a video conference in the presence of BJP president JP Nadda on Sunday, said that the government will focus on developing the islands. He said, “In Andaman & Nicobar we are going to lay emphasis on industries related to sea-food, organic products and coconut-based products.”

The prime minister said, “For the development of New India, the entire nation needs to progress. The Centre may function from a specific point, but its work should reach out to everyone and more importantly, to the person at the end of the ladder.”

The meeting comes a day before inauguration of the submarine optical fiber cable connecting Chennai and Port Blair. 

“The internet connectivity in Andman and Nicobar will go through a sea change after the inauguration of the facility on Monday. This will facilitate online education, tourism and business in the island,” the PM said.

During the interaction, the PM was apprised how the party workers provided food and medical aid to people stuck on the island during the lockdown. 

He said, ‘You have taken the spirit of ‘Seva hi Sangthan’ to every poor person’s house and have passed in this exercise with flying colours.”

The islands have 1,222 COVID-19 cases, of which 778 are active, while 425 have been cured so far.