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Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep Information
Introduction to Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep appears as a few insignificant dots on the map of India, it is, in
fact, a sparkling diamond adorning India’s southwestern frontier. It is one of
the few marvels left untouched by the encroaching hands of industrialization and
progress. The white beaches, the lagoons that wash its shores with the coral
reefs, which enclose it, and finally the deep blue sea-all, these are
symbiotically linked with each other. And, when all these are added up,
Lakshadweep is no longer the tiniest of India’s territories but the largest!
Geography of Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep is the tiniest Union Territory of India, an archipelago consisting
of 12 atolls, three reefs and five submerged banks. It is a uni-district Union
Territory with an area of 32 Sq. Kms and is comprised of ten inhabited islands,
17 uninhabited islands attached islets, four newly formed islets and 5 submerged
reefs. The inhabited islands are Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Kadmat, Kiltan,
Chetlat, Bitra, Andrott, Kalpeni and Minicoy. It is located between 8º- 12º 13"
North latitude and 71º -74º East longitude, 220 to 440 Kms. away from the
coastal city of Kochi in Kerala, in the emerald Arabian Sea. Considering its
lagoon area of about 4,200 Sq. kms, 20,000 Sq. kms of territorial waters and
about 4 lakhs Sq. kms. of economic zone, Lakshadweep is a large territory.
Brief History of Lakshadweep
The first westerner on the islands was Vasco da Gama, but the English were the
first to explore the islands. They are also mentioned in great detail in the
stories of the Arab traveler, Ibn Batuta. The Portuguese established a fort on
the islands in May 1498, but the inhabitants rose up against them and chased
them away. The Amindivi group of islands (Amini, Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlat and
Bitra) came under the rule of Tipu Sultan in 1787. They passed on to British
control after the third Anglo-Mysore War and were attached to the South Canara
district. The rest of the islands became a suzerainty of the Chirakkal family of
Cannanore in return for a payment of annual tribute. After a while, the British
took over the administration of those islands for non-payment of arrears. These
islands were attached to the Malabar district of the Madras Presidency. In 1956,
the States Reorganisation Act separated these islands from the mainland
administrative units, forming a new union territory by combining all the
islands.
Government of Lakshadweep
An administrator appointed by India’s central government administers the union
territory. Lakshadweep is under the jurisdiction of the Kerala High Court at
Ernakulam. It also elects one member to the Lok Sabha.
Economy of Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $60 million
at current prices. Because of its isolation and scenic beauty, Lakshadweep is
emerging as a great tourist attraction for Indians. This brings in a good amount
of revenue, which is likely to increase. Since such a small region cannot
support industries, the government is actively promoting tourism as a means of
income.
Lakshadweep Travel Information
The development of domestic as well as international tourism has immense
potential. However, much could not be achieved till recently owing to inadequate
transport arrangements. Now international as well as domestic tourism has
received a remarkable boost. Numerous infrastructure facilities have been
created including the opening of Vayudoot service between Mainland and Agatti in
April,1988. However, limits have been placed on the number of tourists to be
admitted in order to prevent overcrowding and consequent environmental damage.
Since the literacy rate in the Union Territory is one of the highest in the
country, the level of educated unemployed can be kept under control by
developing this sector. Tourist huts and cottage are provided at Kavaratti,
Kadmat, Bangaram, Kalpeni and Minicoy. Tourist huts ( 3 in Minicoy and four in
Kalpeni) have been set up under Govt. assistance. Government of India has agreed
in principle to open three inhabited islands, Suheli Cheriyakara, Cheriyam and
Tinnakara for foreign tourists. A full fledged water sport Institute established
at Kadmat during 1992-93 provides facilities for different disciplines of water
Sports like wind surfing, Kayaking, Canoeing, water skiing, Yatchting para
sailing and Scubadiving etc. Tourist Cafeteria, Floating restaurant etc. are
other attractions for tourists .
Education in Lakshadweep
Though various steps were taken immediately after the independence to improve
the standard of education, not much progress could be achieved till 1956.
Students studying at Calicut were provided free hostel accommodation at the
Harijan Hostel. After the reorganization of states in 1956, this was made an
exclusive hostel for island students and functioned at Elathur near Calicut till
1963. Today there are three hostels attached to senior secondary schools one
each in Andrott, Kadmat and Kavaratti. All these measures led to the rapid
increase in the number of graduates and technical personnel in the islands. The
islands have been by leaps and bounds since independence. In 1951 the literacy
percentage was 15.23 and now it is 87.52 % occupying the third position in the
country. Up to 1956 there was only one graduate. Now there are about 5200
matriculates, more than 350 graduates, 70 postgraduates, 120 Engineers, 95
doctors and scores of students studying in other disciplines. Now all children
of school going age have access to schools and out of the total student
population, 47% are girls.
Food of Lakshadweep
Rice, coconut, fish and jaggery made from toddy tapped from coconut - that about
sums up the raw materials. However, despite this apparent lack of variety, the
list of dishes runs into hundreds.
Arts & Culture of Lakshadweep
The people of the islands speak a dialect of Malayalam. It is a folk belief that
they are descendants of traders who where washed up on the islands during a
particularly heavy storm. The people of the islands are ethnically similar to
the people of the Kerala coast of India and are of mixed Indian and Arab
descent, except on the southernmost and largest island, Minicoy, where people
closely resemble Maldivians, speak Mahl, a language closely related to Dhivehi,
which could even, be a dialect. Around 93% of the indigenous population is
Muslim and were converted by the Arab traders. The locals call themselves the
Divi or the Amadivi (from the mother island).
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