New Delhi, August 18:
As part of the National Integration Tour “Dweep se Delhi”, thirty meritorious higher secondary students from the tribal communities of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands interacted with Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, in the national capital today.
General Dwivedi praised the students for their achievements and urged them to pursue excellence with determination and perseverance. He also commended the Andaman & Nicobar Command for creating opportunities that empower island youth and connect them with the wider horizons of the nation.
The students—equally represented by boys and girls—belong to the Karen and Nicobarese communities of North Andaman, South Andaman and Nicobar districts. The Karen, who migrated to the islands a century ago, are known for their craftsmanship, folk traditions and survival skills, while the Nicobarese are recognised for their matrilineal social structure, horticultural expertise and colourful festivals.
Among the young achievers, Ms. Naw Asna Sholmon, a Class XI student from Mayabunder, hopes to become an English teacher and is passionate about writing. Master Mebouy Sweden Christians, a talented footballer from the Karen community, has represented the islands at the national level and dreams of a professional sporting career. From Campbell Bay in Nicobar, Master A. Shinu aspires to join the Indian Army, driven by cultural pride and a strong sense of national spirit.
During their tour, the students are visiting landmarks including the Red Fort, India Gate, National War Memorial and the Taj Mahal, deepening their awareness of India’s history and heritage. The Dweep se Delhi initiative not only broadens their horizons but also reinforces the spirit of unity in diversity—symbolising the integration of remote island communities into the national mainstream and their role in building a Viksit Bharat @2047.
