Andaman Diaries -1

 

Andaman Diaries -1

 ( My thanks are  due to  my  Ph.D Guide and Senior  colleague in GSI , Dr. J.R.Kayal professor emeritus, Kolkata, for    providing valuable insights  while writing this article .  This write up  is based on experiences of the GSI team at Andaman Islands, India) 

The decade between 1991 and 2001 witnessed several major earthquakes across India, including those at Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Killari, Jabalpur, and Bhuj. While scientists were still studying these events, another earthquake struck North Andaman on 14 September 2001. Though moderate in magnitude (about 6.0) and causing limited damage, it was of great scientific significance. Its epicentre lay beneath the sea, about 30 kilometres east of North Andaman, providing valuable data for understanding the region's active tectonics.

Five days later, on 19 September, our team left Kolkata carrying a portable seismograph to record aftershocks. After a long flight across the Bay of Bengal, we arrived at Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Scattered like emerald jewels across the blue sea, the archipelago comprises 572 islands, of which only 36 are inhabited. Surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and coconut palms, the islands presented a picture of extraordinary natural beauty.

Soon after our arrival, we installed an earthquake-recording instrument and later visited the historic Cellular Jail. The Sound and Light Show vividly narrated the suffering and sacrifices of India's freedom fighters, leaving us deeply moved. In the evening, we relaxed at Marina Park, where colourful lights reflected on the calm waters, creating a magical atmosphere.

 Before dawn on 20 September, we began our journey to North Andaman along the famous Andaman Trunk Road. The route passed through dense tropical forests, fertile valleys, paddy fields, and picturesque villages. Every turn revealed fresh shades of green and breathtaking scenery.

After crossing several checkpoints, we entered the protected territory of the Jarawa tribe. Vehicles were required to travel in police-escorted convoys through the reserve. As we moved beneath towering forest canopies, the silence and mystery of the jungle created an unforgettable experience.

Although our visit was primarily a scientific mission, it became much more than that. The Andamans offered a rare blend of natural beauty, living history, and geological wonder. Long after the seismic data had been analysed, memories of emerald forests, tranquil seas, and the spirit of exploration remained etched in our minds. The Andaman Islands were not merely a destination—they were an experience that revealed both the power of nature and the beauty of one of India's most remarkable landscapes.

-Pankaj Mala Bhattacharya

Poetry : A few Paces Apart

  

A Few Paces Apart

I lazily watched the trains go by

At Maidan Metro Station,

When there alighted a pleasant-looking couple

From a crowded train.

Unthinkingly, I tried to guess:

Were they bound in marital bliss?

The woman seemed to be in her thirties,

Dressed in plain lilac cotton.

Her hair lay rather carelessly strewn,

Framing a face of innocent grace;

And he, a tall and mature man,

Walked beside her in fast pace.

Then my eyes caught a telling glimpse—

The man was striding far ahead,

While she, in her flattering slippers,

Lagged behind with measured tread.

The guess I made, I think, was right:

Leaving his lady far behind,

They could only be a married couple—

                               Such clues are not too hard to find

Pankaj Mala Bhattacharya

10.09.1999