An overview of data from Population census- A & N Islands

An old post which was written in November 2004. It could not be published since the Tsunami struck. And the draft was lost in the computer.  but traced back now.
Population census: Andaman & Nicobar Islands- an overview

Why Port Blair can be a better place to live in.

The census data has been published now. But for whole set of data, we have to wait more.  

The A & N Islands has a very peculiar setup altogether, given its geographical scattered-ness/ spread in the Bay of Bengal. This consists of numerous islands (including rocks) numbering more than 500. Few are inhabited and are separated by the deep-sea creeks.

However, the population comes out as 356000(census 2001). This projects the immense possibilities and potential for collecting data on various aspects, which due to some inherent problem of the census we are unable to collect. The left out portion of information on the populace can provide various insights on the socio-cultural set up of the population settled in these islands. This was initially started as the penal settlement during the British Raj for the political prisoners and freedom fighters. This territory has the distinction of hoisting the national flag prior the India got Independence. None other than our hero of freedom struggle the great Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose unfurled the flag. This part had been a occupied territory of Japanese, later freed by the British and again got freedom, when India became independent. Since then the place has been inhabited by the influx of the population.

Looking at the village summary of the A & N Islands census 2001 data, there was one table on population wise distribution of the villages. Table provided data on 1991 and 2001. In 1991 the number of villages having population of 1 to 200 were 284 that has decreased to 273 in 2001 census. Similarly the number of villages having population in bracket of 201 to 500 has also decreased from 95 in 1991 to 89 in 2001. Same is the case for the villages having population of 501 to 1000. Does this indicate anything?

The size of the population in the habitations is increasing at high pace. Most of the villages acquired the size of 1001- 2000 and 2001 to 5000. This has significance in light of the population growth rate. I mean that the population in villages has grown at high pace so that the number of villages having population of above 1000 has increased in this decade.

One of the comfort index for life is essentially the availability of drinking water. In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 76% household have Tap water as source of drinking water. Since 86% household have source of water within or near their premises and only 14 percent have it away from their premises. This fact alone keeps this UT of Andaman at a unique place, Considering the remote and geographical spread of the Islands in Sea 

Sex ratio	2001	%	1991	%
<750	132	26.35	127	25.20
751- 900	165	32.93	183	36.31
901 - 1000	129	25.75	118	23.41
1001-1200	46	9.18	48	9.52
1200+	29	5.79	28	5.56
total	501		504

SEX RATIO:  The villages having sex ratio of less than 750 have increased in this decade. There are now 132 villages having the sex ratio <750 in comparison of 1991 census.

Now looking at the percentage distribution of the villages according to the sex ratio there is minute change. Does this indicate something? The sector working in the field of women empowerment and also for mother and child or in social sector, can very well say that the sex ratio is on decline. This is a situation of caution.

The sex ratio has declined in the category of 1000 to 1200 bracket. The data shows that the no of villages having the sex ratio of <750 has increased in the decade that is not at all good sign.

The ratio of women to the males overall has shown a decline. This should have to be looked into. As to what factors are responsible for decline in the sex ratio. This number should increase in the higher bracket, such as 1000 or above.  However there are many villages having sex ratio more than or equal to 1000 in A & N Islands.

Household and houses

                As per the 2001 census there are 104222 census houses in A & N Islands and out of these only 94196 houses are occupied and 10,026 are vacant census houses. Similarly, in rural areas there are 71,836 census houses out of which 64,744 are occupied. In Urban area out of 32,386 census houses 29,452 are occupied. Out of the occupied census houses only 74.92 percent houses are actual residence or are used as residence. On the other hand 1.97 percent houses are used as residence cum other uses.

Out of the total Census houses in A& N Islands about Ninety percent house are occupied and rest are vacant. Out of these ninety percent occupied houses only 75 percent houses are actually used for residential purpose, eight percent are shops/ business offices, approximately 2 percent houses are used as residence cum other uses. While 10 percent of the occupied houses are used as other non-residence purposes, there are 1.19 percent houses, which are used as temple and other places of worship. Occupied Houses which are used for residence cum other purposes, are more in rural areas (2.04%) than in urban area (1.81%).

There are 73062 households in A & N Islands and about 51 percent households are in owned houses, while 22 percent households are living in rented houses. Out of the 20048 households in the municipal council of Port Blair, 40.61 percent live in owned houses while 42.85 percent households live in rented houses.

Most of the houses in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are having two rooms. About 40 percent households have two dwelling rooms and 31 percent households have only one dwelling room. Approximately 2 percent households have six or more dwelling rooms. Same trend is in Port Blair municipal council area where about 41 percent households have two dwelling rooms and 36 percent households have only one. About three percent households don’t have any exclusive room.

About half of the households residing in the Port Blair municipal area are living in the rented houses and only half of the households own the houses.  Among the rented houses there are 44 percent households enjoying separate one room, while out of the owned houses only 30 percent households have one room.

Out of total households, 72 percent have single married couples in A &N Islands, this percent in west Bengal is 74.5 and 70.7 in Sikkim. This reflects on our social behavior that indicates that society at large prefers the nuclear family instead of combined family across the states.

In A & N Islands the percentage of households with two married couples is 7.  While percent of households having three married couples is one and only 0.08 percent households had five or more married couples in single households. 

COMFORTABLE PLACE( for couples) TO LIVE IN:-

One of the “comfort indicators” for any place may be thought of as having an independent sleeping room by the married couples. People in Mumbai very well know the value of living space (read as freedom space)

In A & N Islands, Out of total married couples 60 percent have independent sleeping rooms. This percent is 57 and 51 in respect of the West Bengal and Sikkim respectively.  In A& N there is sharp difference in the availability of independent sleeping room to married couples vis-à-vis Urban and Rural. In Urban area of A&N islands this percentage is 71.4 and for rural it is 55.21, District wise the percent is 64.14 for Andaman and 30.86 in Nicobar. 

 

Does that show any indication of housing problem or any difference in the housing pattern among the districts. In the municipal council alone the 71.33 percent of married couples enjoy the privilege of independent sleeping room. As per the census definition the room exclusively under possession of household is to be counted under this category. May be in Nicobar mostly houses are in shape of Hut or katcha type hence the counting of the separate dwelling rooms becomes difficult, Resulting in this type of statistic. However the cultural practices have influence on usage of rooms or a house(especially as we are looking at a room exclusive for use for a couple).  If we see the tribal village with the eyes of so called our civilized view, then there bound to be lot of difference. Each civilization has its own yardstick for everything. Therefore inferences on such type of statistics are to be drawn in that context only and not to be generalized.

While I was developing upon this abstract, on 26^th December 2004 the tsunami and quake hit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Devastation is unknown and cannot be assessed soon. In Nicobar District several islands faced the tidal waves and lost many lives. Loss is still unknown. However estimated figures have to be yet to be ascertained. 

 

As per 2001 census, the population of Carnicobar was 20000 in 17 habitations, whereas the population of the Nancowry block was 22000 comprising of 156 habitations. The Campellbay with 4000 people and Malacca with 3000 people were the two habitations with largest population. Other habitations were having population less than 2000. Still few deaths will be un-accounted for.

URBANISATION:-

Urbanisation is considered as a global phenomenon. There was only one urban centre in Andaman Nicobars and it was the city of Port Blair having population of 75000. In census 2001, Two census towns made their entry on the map. The ward no 1 of the Garacharma panchayat which was a neighborhood of the Port Blair City, grew in bounds and acquired the status of census town with the population more than 9000. Whereas another hub close by but accessible by a sea route of 5 to 10 minutes also grew and acquired the status of census town with a population of almost 7000. These two are the best example of pace of urbanization in Andamans. Port Blair the capital city was only 15 less from 1 lakh mark of population. It is buzzing with more than 22 thousands households and more than 37% of work participation rate.  Female work participation rate is just 15% whereas the percentage of female share in city population is almost 45%.

Work participation rates are about 36% and 31% for Garacharma and Bambooflat respectively. In both census towns the share of female population is almost 46 %. The female Work participation rate is 18 and 14 in Garacharma and bambooflat respectively.  

Census town		literacy	work participation	% female popln	female work participation
Port Blair	99984	77.08	36.75	44.62	14.92
Garacharma (CT) - Ward No.1	9427	75.36	35.70	46.79	18.36
Bambooflat (CT)	6787	71.75	30.87	46.63	13.84

Thyagraj Aradhana Festival and Bangalore Nagarathana

There is a famous trinity, called as trinity of carnatic Music. The trio Tyāgarāja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri.

Later on in early 20th century trio of MS, DKP, MLV were known as the trinity of carnatic music.
These three women singers broke away the traditions and established new trends and established themselves as path breaker. Since in  earlier times women singers were not allowed to sing on stage and several restriction were there. Pallavi was one among them. DKP borke this tradition.She established herself as a finest Pallavi singer also.
MS the famous M Subbulakhsmi ji, other is D K Pattamal ji, third is ML Vasantakumari ji. Together they were known as Trinity of carnatic vocal music.
But still i doubt why the T Brinda and Mukta ji were left out??
www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article1438758


Now the matter is that Thyagraj Annual Aradhna was on Saturday, January 2015. This is being broadcasted by the Doordarshan for quite many years now. I had been watching it since many years. When I was at IIT Kanpur i got to see many times this direct telecast. Many stalwarts of music performed together at this Thyagraj Aradhana, siting in front of the temple. I had seen MS performed there. Once i saw VaijayantiMala ji (that time she was MP), Several other Semagudi Srinivas Iyer, Many more......list is long.

Bangalore Nagarathna

This year also in Jan 2015 i was able to see it. There were so many musicians. The main attraction for me has been that many musicians all together join and sing at the Aradhana. Though the temple is said to be built by a great women singer Bangalore Nagarathna, the member of a great tradition of women community, who with lot of devotion, determination and discipline have preserved our great musical heritage. It is irony that today we feel proud of this musical heritage, but do not give credit to those women.Thus Bangalore Nagarathna spent all her wealth to buy the land and built a temple for Thyagraj. But she was not allowed to sing and offer her music aradhana in front of temple!!!! what an irony.??
This year i saw Umaylapore Srinivas playing Mrindangam, Famous face was of Smt Sudha Ragunath.
There were hordes of people attending this Aradhana. Old women, senior Artists all sat together with few upcoming artists and few students. There were few small girls sitting just next to senior ladies. Few people were seen standing. Most senior was Umaylapuram Srinivas ji, I could recognise him since I had seen him and his program on TV for many years now.

These pictures were taken by me while watching the program of Thyagaraj Aradhana on Doordarshan. Thus may not be very clear. I ask everyone to forgive me for any mistake if I have made by posting these pictures.

Dances on TV and their viewing - my view only

For many years I tried to copy a dance step, which I saw in film Kalpana. The dancer did fly doing steps. The famous duo of sisters Ragini and Padmini did the song “Tu hai mera Prem Devta” in film Kalpana. But I did try for few years then gave up since I could not do it. Later as I grew up and came to know that the films are made edited, and now effects are inserted by computer. In film Avatar we could see the partial Human and partial aliens. The set on which the dance of film Kalpana was shot was superb. I think what they might have done with it. Whether they broke it down?. I think they must have conserved it. It was a work of ART. The SHIVA statue and the wall fresco with engraved sculptures, all were superb. 
 

Both the characters were in a competition and offering their Kalaa tapasya (the art of dance) to the God. And from that dancer whose dance the lord wakeup will be the winner. There are two Bhaav. One is the swift, energetic and proud of itself. The other one is as we call Dheer-Gambeer, the serious full of Bhakti and devotion towards the lord. The chirrupy was portrayed through the GANGA, who is always considered as full of energy and proud of her own power. The other was portrayed through GAURI the consort of Shiva who is always devoted to the Lord SHIVA, A true Bhakti. When we see the dancers, one can immediately gets glimpses of their mood and kind of personality. First is the dress and second is the body movement. The Ragini ji has assumed the Ganga, who is always energetic. The ornaments and the dress were matching to the personality of Ganga-who is full of power and proud-ness and shows this by her movements. As I have read in the story of Ganga avataran. Shiva knew this side of hers. That’s why he was ready and alert to protect others from drowning by the power of Ganga, which she intended before coming down. But the power was brought under control by the Lord Shiva’s long traces of hairs. That means scientifically speaking the Turbulence force was controlled by the putting enough small channels so that the force is diverted in many directions and not in one channel. Like to distribute the one gushing river water into many smaller canals so that water gets distributed in these smaller channels and does not effect much in the main river.

The other dancer was dressed in a well manner not too loud and not too flashy. Padmini ji portrayed the Dheer Gambheer and devotion with her movements. Both of them were great and very learned artists. They were the part of Trio known as Travancore (trio)sisters. I read in the illustrated weekly a news article about them many years back (almost 30 years). I still don’t remember much about Lalita ji the third sister member of trio.

The backdrop was also powerfull and made its impact on the aesthetics, and well accompanied the dance sequences; the camera was all through made us to see whatever was possible with the techniques. Remember at those time the technology available to those camera man. They have done the impossible job. Since they thought differently and tried to bring the imagination alive for us. They succeeded in their work. I salute all those involved in making these songs, picturisation, writers, screenplay etc.

I remember a day when I had gone to house of Dolly didi with one of my distant cousin. She was classmate of Dolly didi. In Chakravarty they had a tape recorder. They played the song “Tumko dil diya itni naaz se”. On hearing The song immediately started dancing(inside somewhere) not in their home. The beats and the sound of music was so powerfull that one cannot resist swaying with the beats.  Later one day I saw it in chitrahaar on Doordarshan.  Ragini and Helen ji were there in the dance. They did superb job. I don’t imagine anybody finding any fault with their dancing. Remember in those days when technology was not so advanced.

  Both the Ragini and Helen ji have done perfect job. The Choreography was excellent and the music was mind blowing. Anybody who has inclination to the good music will certainly praise the way the play of beats was brought out in this song and over that the dance steps to meet the beats was also a tough job. The song is pleasant on ears but the dance was very difficult to choreograph. I don’t know whether in those days any award was given to choreography and costume etc. This dance was one of the most suited for the top slot.

But still till day I remember and keep remembering the day when I heard the song on tape recorder of Dolly didi at Type two, IIT Kanpur. I am thankfull to them for letting me hear that song. I hope that Smt Shanta Serbjit Singh reads this page and comment on it’s contents. I consider her as the first Guru, who through her articles on Dance in newspaper always inspired me. And More so living at Kanpur I got the news of happenings in Dance scene. There was no question my going everywhere just see DANCE. As a boy I was expected to study and become someone and not a naachwala or nautanki wala etc.

Dance program on Doordarshan

25June 2009

Malati Shyam

There was a programme on Doordarshan featuring Malati Shyam. Some days,  I have seen that TV shows dance program in 7 or 7:30 time slot in addition to the National Program of dance. Earlier it used to come on Late night on Sundays. Now they have changed it to Thursday or some other day. I have lost the track for few years.

The first visual was very good. It was one of the best aesthetically decorated backdrop on TV I saw this year, with lot of modernity. Fresco in background was from Gupta and Mauryan period. The stage, where the dancer was dancing looked like wall of mirrors.

Introducer told that she belongs to Lucknow gharana. All the accompanied artists were seated on right side of dancer and were visible on the camera, which was very good. Overall, due to camera angle and editing whole concept looked very good to eyes. Dancer was fully enjoying her dancing, which is a must for any performance for its success.  My guru Shri K D Srivastav at Kanpur used to tell us that if you like your performance true from heart then only you can think that audience will also like it.  In many performances we can see that the dancer is making extra efforts to perform, and if it is noticed then it is considered as a drawback.

I could compare Today’s program with the very first program churned out from the then newly established CPC at Delhi, After that Malvika Mitra and Madhavi Mudgal were the first few programmes made by the CPC. I think they shot it at Baradari Lucknow or in the Lucknow Zoo.

Few famous names were associated with these national programs of dance, of which I can recollect are of Kamlini Dutt. Or some Mukherji

In today’s program, watching through the camera I felt as if I am sitting in the hall, where the dancer is performing. That means the camera technique was good.

Name- Malati Shyam is not new to me. Malati was one of the members of ensemble of Guru Birju Maharaj. Whenever Kathak Kendra or Gururji  performed in or outside the Delhi, she was there as a team member. She was also teamed with Durga Arya, Saswati, later Veronique Azan, Aditi etc. She had been part of the team of Birju Maharaj whenever they came to Kanpur to perform.  Many times they came for programs of Railways.

I had seen them at IIT Kanpur, Merchant Chamber hall, and at MotiJheel Kanpur, etc. Those days she was Malti Rawat.

Theme song was correctly chosen “AaJ mori Kalai murak gai”. In blue dress she was looking nice and she had always been a “decorative” in Maharaji’s group.

In my performances I have observed that I take lot of bhramrees. That I find very awkward though. But in the Thumri which Malati was performing, she was also taking chakkars every now and then. They looked too much, but it must have been necessary for her Thumri. Actually these chakkars are taken while changing into characters.  Very often it is taken to change or to show different moods or emotions.

Later when I was learning under guidance of Smt Prerna Srimali ji at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Delhi, She many times pointed out my mistakes while taking the chakkars. My body tends to tilt too much on one side while taking chakkars. Thus aesthetics plays a role in dance. Every stance must be pleasant.

However, still we don’t have enough schools where many subjects are taught together with dance. As I read in the book on Anna Pavlova, the great Ballet dancer that there was a school where various subjects were taught to students. India has rich heritage of ancient knowledge. There must be some school where we can learn philosophy, Aesthetics, Language (Sanskrit, English), Literature, Arts, science, earlier there was TURKSHAASTRA- means the art of reasoning or rationalizing etc, Mathematics, and all that we can consider worth teaching the new generation children. Lot of Dance stalwarts have started their own school. But the dream of complete teaching is missing. The blame is put on the society and current affairs. I think Late Protima Bedi had dreamnt of starting an ashram for dance. But God did not agree with her and she was called back while she was on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

But, result is that nowdays we don’t find dancers of caliber of Pt DurgaLal, Pt Birju Maharaj, Lachchu and Sambhu Maharaj. Their art or their teaching was so complete that there was no part of art in which they don’t have any knowledge.   

Name Game-- what is in name??

what is a name?? there was time when people used to fight if they hear a name sounding from enemy country. like when one said i am from MAGADH, what would have been the reaction of other person? similarly if one has said i am a LICHIVI then what person from MAGADH will think and how he will react? There was some meaning attached to name.
like when BanBhat had told that he is Katyayan. That means he is from that family.
When in book "BanBhatt ki atma katha" the word was described for Kanyakubj- that had a meaning attached to it.

Actualy if we search the dictionary of English language, what you will find the meaning of the word INDIAN?, have anyone tried???
But we keep on saying that our India... and we are proud Indian...
without knowing the meaning and the concept as to how the name INDIA was coined? who coined the name India? What was the meaning that time?
It was certainly different from BHARAT. 

moving Nadella as CEO

What will change on having Nadella as CEO? Having an Indian as CEO how will it benefit “India”-a panorama” ?       How once the “Jewel of the crown” now the southernmost in list of developing countries will going to be benefited?

Will it mark an era of  availability of Tab or tablet PC to every student in India costing say 2000/- I would be happiest if they are available for Rs 2000/- More so Exclusively made in India? By that I mean every single part is “Made in India”. SO will Nadella at Top help the Made in India (the logo) reign supreme in global arena?

If it will cost Rs 2000/- per student I will be able to donate to about ten students instantly!! in my ancestral village (near Shobhan Temple, Kanpur) Is IT Ministry is listening or they lent a ear to me? somewhere in media, I read there are comparisons about the choice of Nadella or Steeve- over their hobbies- their choices of games/sport etc?? Is all this required for a CEO?/

Once upon a time I was having a false sense of proud feeling by knowing that maximum numbers of Indians are in Silicon Valley. “Software” is ruled by NRIs. How did that benefit India, my intent was in Hinterland of India.

Basic things changed. I am at least able to speak to someone in my village just by Mobile!!

As a child we used to write letters to our relatives there, They reached, if landed safely at his doorstep- If the post man was of that area or having a kind heart. I had seen the condition of surface mail at Kanpur Railway Station. Where there was a secret way out of platform, which I used to get out of station quickly without losing time just to catch the IITK bus.

Kids at village now are most “Polluted” in their minds. Earlier the radio transistor was sole instrument for their connection to the outside world. In fields I had seen how they enjoyed the cricket match? Despite of the fact that there was no motorable road to that village. we used to walk few kilometers through the fields to reach that village. Often a bullock cart used to help us. Specially when my grandmother accompanied us. She was daughter of that village. Earlier people living in that village on main road used to recognise us and lend us help in traveling/resting etc. Now days boys or youngsters are busy  watching videos/games in their handy devices and who cares for us. Village boys know about TITANIC and Pretty women and Katreena/ Munni etc.

Village areas have store of PORN Videos promoting the foreign habits/ alien things in the indigenous conservative orthodox vulnerable young minds- undermining the after effects of this import of Impurity.

I was shocked one day in May 2012, while traveling from IITK gate to Bithoor at around 7:30 in night. A private bus was full to its capacity, still it was picking up the passengers- at that stretch of road nobody wants to risk their life by being on road in dark. I found people from nearby villages returning to homes in the bus. Who came to city for various purposes- Medical treatment- etc since there is no big hospital in rural Kanpur area, everyone comes to Hallet(as we know it) or the goal Chauraha, gutahia,  awadhpuri, Rama or near motijheel area etc few had meeting with lawyers or hearing at courts (kachehri), few came for purchasing essential goods –jewelery for daughter’s marriage, dahej (dowry), few young from Kanpur University, coaching institutions, workers returning after hectic day in office, Labour going back. But the back seats were reserved for young WORKING FORCE. I was pushed backward in the bus. There to my shock I saw people watching Porn Videos in their mobile, and as a mass media, means two or three persons watched on same mobile screen.

Irony was these belonged to most orthodox families of villages and they watch such things which comes from most open society. Mostly there were oral ones followed by actual hard core action. Those were traveling back from Rawatpur, Kalyanpur, IITK gate, to narayanpurwa, ALIMCO, Mandhana, Chaubepur even to shivrajpur. it was a surprise to me and unbelievable to me. This was the scene at the area where I spent childhood in safety of IIT Kanpur campus walls—it was a walled city for me??

But the campus was most connected place in those days. In 1984-1986 I came to know that people at Kanpur can communicate with people in USA within few seconds using ERNET or some such name. At IITK they log-on to their computers and send a message in some language and they received reply in few seconds. Then I heard that some professors (I think, prof Sadagopan!!!, if that is correct) log on to their computers at Bangalore or some mysterious places while sitting at IIT Kanpur. All that sounded Mysterious to my ears in those years (1980 to 1992). But outside that walled city not much changed, the dark polluted nallah went on to meet the pure Ganges near Bithoor. Most of the children in nearby villages droped out. Pollution was on rise. Due to urbanisation, sanitation and safe disposal of waste took back seat. But with Indian(s) at top in several global companies/agencies, can we change the scene? CAN we make India proud to say "Make In India" Made in India- a global tag.