THE LIGHT OF ANDAMANS | VOL 36 | ISSUE 03 | 01 NOV 2012
BOOK
REVIEW
By Zubair
Ahmed
Lack of knowledge about their own territory
has been a bane for the Islanders since Independence Island territory. Our children are forced to study
everything from general knowledge, geography, history and social sciences of
the whole world except the Islands . Despite
our Islands gifted with mountains, sea,
beaches, forests, plains and even tribes not found anywhere else, it's a
paradox that all these are not taught in our schools.
Reading RC Mazumdar or MV Portman to know
about the Islands is not everyone's cup of
tea. Those interested in the colonial history or the tribes might have heard
the names, which does not excite anyone otherwise.
As a fillip, here is a journey to explore
some interesting facts and ideas about our Magic Islands - Andaman and Nicobar
Archipelago with Zai Whitaker, grand niece of Salim Ali, who has authored some
great gems like the Andamans Boy, Kali and The Rat Snake and The Rumbling
Island.
Magic Island, authored by Zai Whitaker and
published by National Book Trust covers everything from the history, geography
and the wonderful life in our archipelago, a must read for every Islander and
mainlander, irrespective of age, interested to know everything about the
archipelago.
Zai Whitaker's relationship with the Islands started almost 30 years ago. The book is the
result of her encounter with the Islanders who knew very little about the
history of their home. There were very few books about the Islands except the
old reports written by British officers before India
The book tells us how blessed we Islanders
are with the unlimited natural wealth in our backyard with lovely views and
landscapes of forest, open sky, ocean, Islands
and in fact all the things that a millionaire craves to have.
Zai opens our minds towards the world of
insects, birds, plants, reptiles, amphibians and mammals and the precious
undisturbed rainforests with the abundant biodiversity. It illustrates the
four-layer ecosystem that we have in the Islands - rainforest, mangrove, beach and reef.
From the term "junglees" used by
the so-called "civilized" people, she redefines the indigenous tribes
as geniuses. The story of Jarawas and other tribes including the Nicobarese are
told in a very fascinating manner. How an Andamanese woman Topsy had helped the
British to tame the tribes is one exciting tale.
The history of the Islands
with focus on the pirates and pioneers, who reached the shores for different
reasons and the Kalapani days are vividly portrayed in the book, beautifully
illustrated by Amitava Sengupta.
The chapter on endemic and exotic species in
the Islands explains why Cheetal and Mynah are bad for the Islands
and the need to protect the Nicobari Megapode and Narcondum Hornbills.
The book also draws our attention towards
the increasing population and decreasing resources, and the importance of
sustainable and environment-friendly approach in all developmental activities.
In fact this simple and lucid book is the
answer to the long-felt need for a comprehensive textbook for our children, who
have nothing to rely upon to know about their Islands .
This is an apt book, which can be introduced as a textbook in our schools,
which surely will generate curiosity and interest among the children to know
more about the magic Islands .
By Zai Whitaker
Pages: 107, Price: Rs 110
National Book Trust , India
1 comment:
ITS NICE EFFORTS MR.ZUBAIR....I AM SURE WE SHOULD KNOW OUR ISLANDS FIRST RATHER TO KNOW THE WHOLE WORLD.
IN THIS REGARD MR.FRANCIS NEELAM,MR.JOHN LOBO,DR.RASHEEDA IQBAL,MR. MADAN MOHAN SINGH,MR.GAURISHANKAR PANDEY,MR.M.A.MUSTAFA AND THE OLD INHABITANTS OF THE ISLANDS CAN DO WELL FOR BRING THE PAST HISTORY OF THE ISLANDS FOR AWARE OF THE MASSES OF THE PEOPLE.
Naresh Chander Lal
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