As a disconnected part of India the emerald-green- Laksha exists like a floating island made of corals washed away by the blue water of the Arabian sea. Laksha, Minicoy and Amindeev-these three islands combined together constituted Lakshadweep on 1.1.73. Many other islands, 36 innumber also exist. Human habitation is found only in 10 islands. Scarcity of sweet water is the hindrance to habitation in other 26 islands. Population-51681, literacy rate 79.23%. Bigoted in religion, they are Muslims of Sunni community constituting 93% of population. Women here put on cloak-like _ dress. Their way of life is very simple. As" they are quite rich there is no theft or robbery in the island. Their language is Malayalam. English is also used, though exception is found in southern island Mini-coy. The Minicoyees' language is Mahl. The medium of writing is Divehi script which has much similarity with Arabic. Possibly the association with Mahldweep is at its root. English and Hindi are used in Minicoy. Free education is introduced at all the stages in Lakshadweep.The principal livelihood of the people of Laksha is fishing. Tourism industry is also developing, in Laksha very rapidly. There is a wide range of cocoanut trees under the sky all over the island. Along witfi these there are guava, papaw, banana and plantain trees. Different commodities made of cocoanut fibres have taken the form of a home-made industry. From cocoanut objects like oil, molasses, vinegar, kopra (dried cocoanut) etc are produced. From its leaves seats are made and the roof of the room is also covered with these leaves. With its trunk different fanciful furniture are made. The trunk as such is transformed into beams and rafters of a room. Again the export of fish brings enough of foreign exchange from all over the world. Black and silver striped Tuna (Chura) fish is reputed throughout the world.

Laksha is a land of tropical climate. It is situated at 8° to 12°30" north latitude and 71° to 74° east longitude. Temperature fluctuates in summer from 25° to 35° centigrade and in winter from 20° to 32° centigrade. Humidity 70-76%. Rainfall is much and extensive in rainy season. Rain comes in Laksha because of south-west monsoon from June to September and north-east monsoon from October to January. Average annual rainfall-1600 mm. The summer season per­sists from March to May. There is virtually no winter in Lakshadweep.

After removing water public thoroughfare has been constructed. Telephones have also been installed. Television has also reached the capital & other islands through satellite connection. Lakshadweep with its sunrise, sunset and even moonrise is quite pleasing to the eyes. At sunset with the golden light streaming in the evening the entire sea seems to cover itself with golden colour. At the next moment the outgoing sun sets fire as it were to the blue water of the sea. At the rise of the moon mica seems to be emitting from everywhere in Laksha. The island Laksha virtually bathes in the flood of light.

Because of different variety of hearsay the history of Lakshadweep is somewhat obscure. But according to the account of travels of Marcopollo Minicoy has been regarded as a remarkable state of women. Ev6n today the matriarchal form of society is prevalent in Lakshadweep island. The Hindu king of Cranganore Cheramon Perumal hav­ing been initiated into Islamic religion started for Mecca. On the way he lost his direction owing to a squall on the sea and reached Bangaram island and from there he came to Agatti. After arriving at his own country the king sent his men who were all Hindus. Probably for this reason the Hindu influence on them even today is traceable. In course of time Agatti, Amini and other regions were discovered. In the 7th century the Maraboot (Muslim) Fakir of Jedda, Ubaidullah, as per the advice given by Hazrat Mohammad in dream, went out to preach Islamic religion. On way, there being shipwreck he took shelter in Amini island and spread Islamic religion in Amini and Andrott. After his death Fakir Sahib was cremated in Andrott. This Darga of Andrott is considered a sacred pilgrimage of the Muslims even today. In the 16th century the Portuguese came in a plundering spree, but the island people killed them by poisoning. Though the people of the island were Mus­lims, the island was ruled over by the Hindu king of Chirakkal. By the middle of the 16th century the ruling power again came to the hand of the Muslim king of Arakan. In 1783 at the request of the people of Amini and for the sagacity of Arakan, Tipu Sultan occupied a few islands. In 1799 when Tipu died the islands had gone under the domination of East India Company or the British and the king of Chirakkal became the administrator.

Andrott was harmed at the maritime flood of 1847. The king came from Chirakkal for its succour. Being unable to compensate for loss as per requirement the king was sanc­tioned loan by the East India Company. The incapacity of the king to repay the loan resulted in the island being occupied by the East India Company in 1855. In 1947 along with the main land Laksha also was transfer­red to the Indian Union. As a result Laksha became a part of Madras till 1956 and on 1st November 1956 it was declared as a union territory and the Central Govt took up the charge of its administration. In 1973 it was given the name Lakshadweep whose natural beauty to the people of the entire world is without any parallel.

In the national interest to maintain the identity of the islanders travelling to and from Lakshadweep (or hundreds of thousands of islands) is subject to many rules and prohibitions. Permission is necessary for Indians to go to Lakshadweep. You have to write to the Secretary to the Administrator, Lakshadweep Office, Indira Gandhi Road, Willingdon Island, Cochin- 682003, @ 668387 sufficient time ahead of departure stating full name with 4 copies of passport size photo, profession, address, date and place of birth. For the foreigners com­munication should be made to the same address or to Liaison Officer, Lakshadweep, 202 Kasturba Gandhi Road, New Delhi-110001, @ 386807 stating name, address, citizenship, passport No, date of issue and time limit, profession, date and place of birth.

The demand for tickets of the package tours has been persistently increasing. The tourists of package tour are also relieved of seeking special permission for travelling to Laksha. The arrangement is quite nice. Better still is the travel from one island to another in ship. Disembarkation on the island from the ship with the help of speed boat covered with fibre glass makes the tour very much pleasant. There is transparent water and the waves of the sea hindered by the corals move in a spiral and dash against the shore. From a distance it appears that the island-lass dressed in blue has put on a garland of pearls. The water-sports of the sea-born animals in the transparent blue water amid the corals is not only pleasant, but unparalled as well.

The headquarters of Lakshadweep is lo Cated 218 km away from Cochin in Kavaratti island covering 3.6 sq km. Kavaratti lagoon is the centre of vitality of the group of islands. The quiet sea with its water not very deep and the colour of the water changing in proportion to the difference in depth makes the scene enchanting from a distance. There are Govt offices, schools and colleges and hospitals in Kavaratti island. Television has also been installed there through satelite connection. Another attraction of Kavaratti is the sacred Uzra. mosque made with timber in 1670. The architecture of the ceiling and the pillars is very beautiful. The water of the well attached to the mosque is another efficacious drink. Mas-boiled fish with a touch of smoke in it and getting it dried up in the sun is their favourite dish. The aquarium there has a collection of sea-fish of variegated colours and corals.

LAKSHA DWEEP
At a Glance

Capital : Kavarati. Area : 32 Sq Km. Population : 51681. Male : 26582. Female 25099. Increase in population during 1981 '91: 11432. Rate of increase: 28.40%. Habitation per Sq Km : 1615. For every 1000 male; 944 female. Literacy rate : 79.23%. Chief Langauge: Malayalam. Lak-sha is a land of tropical climate. Temperature fluctuates from 25° to 35° centigrade. Humudity: 70-76%

Touring season : October to April. It is advisable to take part in a package tour under SPORTS during October to May and visit emerald-green Laksha floating on blue water.

The second largest in area is Minicoy island covered with cocoanut groves-an emerald-green calm lagoon. It is situated at the southern most side of Laksha islands. The way of life, the language and culture of the people of this island have all undergone changes. They are free from the influence of southern part of India and have some affinity with Mahldweep. By visiting the lighthouse more than hundred years old made by the British, one can have heavenly pleasure. Equally enjoyable is the Lava dance of Minicoy. The Light Meat Tuna Canning Factory can also be seen.

Bangaram island is 8 km west of Kavaratti and it takes one hour to reach there by speed boat. Uninhabited island is easily accessible to the- foreigners. Food and drinks are available only in Bangaram island. It is possible to tour this island covered with cocoanut trees covering 120 acres in one hour time. Its form looks like a tear-drop falling from the eyes of the island-lass Laksha. Centring round the silvery beach it is a lagoon-quiet, clean and deep green. The water-sports of the fish of varied colours with the corals in shallow water is un­doubtedly something quite pleasing to the eyes. There are also crabs, snails, oysters and many other aquatic animals. The beauty of sunset at Bangaram has a special charm. The whole of the island seems to be covered with mica in the night of the full moon. This night of the full moon in Laksha has a matchless beauty. At the terminal point of the beach the cocoanut groves are found. In their midst there is 'Bangaram Island Resort, R-30, with its varying monthly rates. Booking : Casino Hotel, Willingdon Island, Cochin-682003, 9 668221.

On way to Kavaratti midway falls Pitty- another lovely island. It is the kingdom of heaven for the birds.

On the western side of Pitty and 25 km away from Kavaratti is Agatti island. It is about 2 hour journey in a speedboat. The road advances at a slow pace through the golden and green cocoanut groves and meets the endless blue water of the turbulent sea. To the left is crystal-transparent and emer­ald-green quite lagoon. One can wade the shallow water through the corals. These groups of island in Laksha seem to be a heaven of emeralds drawn as it were with the painting brush of imagination. The Vayudoot floating above the water of the Arabian sea, travels from Cochin in U hour-on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11^00 hr and returns to Cochin from Agatti at 12-45 hr.To the south-east of Kavaratti is Kalpeny covered with the shades of cocoanut groves. This is the most beutiful island of the beautiful Laksha. Its lagoon has added to its beauty. While travelling in a speedboat covered with glass in its shallow water amid the corals one can not but feel fascinated. Kadmat is another beautiful island. Its sea- beach and also its lagoon are equally beautiful. Kadmat is virtually the central gem of the Laksha group of islands. Andrott, another beautiful island of Laksha invites the Indian tourists anew.