Maldives

Maldives visit (September 2019)

[Maldives Trivia: This island nation/ country is spread over a total area of 300 sq km (with1194 islands; 24 atolls), with a total population of 4.5 lakh (which is less than any big city of India). Monetary unit is Rufiya and official language is Dhivehi; however, English is spoken by the most. Religion Islam. Maldives first settled, in 5th century BC, by Buddhist seafarers from India and Sri Lanka. Islam was adopted in 1153. Independence agreement with Britain was signed July 26, 1965. For centuries a sultanate, the islands adopted a republican form of government in 1952, but the sultanate was restored in 1954. In 1968, a republic was established, when Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom became president, for six terms since 1978 (continued beyond 2003).]

Tour to Maldives, with Prof. Jena, starts from September 1, 2019, for SANH – GCRF research project meeting. We both reached BBSR airport on time together in same cab, for the morning flight (Indigo) to Mumbai. It was raining at Mumbai; but from domestic airport to International airport, our journey was hassle free (by auto). After immigration formalities, we boarded the next Indigo flight to Male (Maldives) at 2 pm. Reached Maldives at 4:30 pm. Local host from Maldives, National University (MNU) had arranged our pick – up from airport. This beautiful (Island) – country is a nature’s wonder! Airport itself is in one (separate) island, capital city (very small) Male is another island and we were given accommodation in another island (Ville – Male), in Vinora Hotel. Reached our hotel rooms by 7 pm. Hotel receptionist was a small girl, called Soma. My (local) friend Shathif (who is now a professor at MNU, Male) came to meet me.

Aminath Shazla came again to our hotel next morning (on 2.9.19) to receive and guide us, to go to MNU (in Male), by ferry. Met Mark Shutton, Sandy (Alexandre Tadhope) and other project fellows from UK and India. Reached MNU by 9:30 am. Entire day was on deliberation on sub – theme of ‘Coral – health’. Had lunch there, at MNU campus. Then we returned independently, in the evening, to our hotel, at Ville – Male. We both had our brief (evening) walk, near our hotel (located in a small island).

Second day of our SANH workshop, (on 3.9.19) was spent on small group discussions, where each group had their own presentation. We belonged to the ‘Socio–Economic’ research group and had our presentations, along with Prof. Mallika Pinnwala from Srilanka and two other ladies from Scotland.

Field study visit was arranged on next day (on 4.9.19), to a small but beautiful island, Dhighurah 120 km. down south in Indian Ocean. We all went by a high-speed powerboat (2+2 hours journey in deep sea). Had a chance to do snorkeling (diving in sea with mask) for the first time. Nice experience for me. Lot of corals (live and dead) and varieties of colour fishes could be seen. On our return, I saw a lot of dolphins, in the deep sea portion. Reached back our Ville – male hotel by 7 pm. I was damn tired, by the time I returned.

On the last day at Maldives (5.9.19), astudy visit was arranged to another island, Thodoo, famous for large scale cultivation, mostly fruits and vegetables. Full of vegetation. Equally attractive beaches, serene, almost virgin. Visited some vegetable-cultivation fields, also did snorkelling for some time. I was feeling very much tired, mostly because of hot-humid climate of that (Maldives) island.

Returned bit early from that island (by high-speed powerboat), reached by 5:30 pm. Shathif wanted to meet me. He then invited me to visit Male city. So, again we both went by ferry to Male. 8 pm to 9:30 pm, we visited many places of this small capital city, on his scooter. Had our dinner (both of us) near the ferry stop. Finally, I returned to my hotel by 10:30 pm independently and quickly started packing for our early morning departure.

I could not sleep properly, for rest of the night.

I got up very early in the morning (on 6.9.19) at 4 am, after sending all message and charging both laptop and mobile, we left hotel at 5 am. We boarded the first ferry of the morning from Ville – Male to Male. From Male ferry stop, we got our cab (arranged by host) for airport Island. Entered airport (Male) by 7 am. Boarded flight by 8:30 am. Reached Mumbai by 12 noon. Niru had invited both of us for lunch. We reached his residence by 12:40 noon; took lunch and rested for 1, 2 hours, there at his residence. Then we both left for domestic airport at 3:30 pm. Airport was very much crowded. Flight left Mumbai for BBSR, delayed by 40 minutes. We reached our BBSR home by 9:30 pm. By God’s grace entire journey was hassle free.