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Another Robinson Anand K Bhatt "I was born in 1944 in Lalooland. Did M.A. in Economics (Allahabad University) and later, on a sabbatical, did M.A. in Development Economics from Sussex University (U.K.). After putting in 34 years in the Indian Administrative Service, I put in my papers in 2003 when I was Additional Secretary to Govt. of India (working as Chairman, Forward Markets Commission, Govt. of India). Since 2003 I am Administrative Member in the Mumbai Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal which is a body to look into the grievances of central government employees. I belonged to Madya Pradesh cadre which is full of forests and wild life. I developed a keen interest in forests, trees and plants, both wild and ornamental. I was Divisional Commissioner in Bastar (now in Chhattisgarh) which has the largest area under forests in entire Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. I occasionally do some birdwatching as a hobby and like to read novels. I do try to write occasionally on anything which comes to my mind."

His name is Mayan, and he lives on an island.

Mayan on the Island

To explain further, there is a small island by the name of Viper island near Port Blair in Andaman. It is about 20-25 minute by boat from the wharf, although the naval establishment and their floating jetty are nearby. This used to be place where the freedom fighters were incarcerated during the British days till a new large Cellular Jail was made in Port Blair.

Gallows

There is a gallows, and later it also served as the jailhouse for lady prisoners. A ferry boat touches the island twice daily. A cooperative society maintained a dairy on the island. Mayan looked after the cows, milked them and sent milk to Port Blair. He gets Rs. 2000 from the society, and lives in a hut on the island.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Board

There is village telephone in the hut run by Bharat Sanchar Nigam, the government-owned telephone company. And Mayan is the caretaker for that phone.

Boat dashed against the jetty

Then Tsunami came. A boat seized by the Indian Coast Guard was swept away from where it was anchored, and dashed against the jetty, damaging it. Some parts of the island got submerged permanently, and more get under water during high tide. Many cows were washed away, and Mayan told me that none is milking at present (September 05). Mayan’s hut after Tsunami remains badly damaged.

Mayan by his hut

Mayan belongs to Tamilnadu in the mainland. His daughter is a teacher, and his son Manager in a cooperative bank branch. Wife is busy looking after the grandchildren. And Mayan lives all alone in the island and has done so for 40 years. He is 60 now. There is no habitation in the island.

Meet a volunteer Crusoe! You can talk to him in Tamil and Hindi on phone number: 91.3192.220093.

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