MY EXPERIENCE

My summer internship project was on the topic "the current status of tourism in Andaman & Nicobar Islands", tough i enjoyed doing my project as it wan in my home town but was really not happy after coming through some fact about these island. while interviewing the local people i noticed that, many people are scared of the emarald blue sea of Andaman & Nicobar after they experienced Tsunami in 2004. before the used to love to reside near beaches not now they are scared of it.Another fact that shook me was there is a island named "coco" island which lies in archipalego of andaman & nicobar is under myanmar and the myanmar govt. leased that island to China. chinese govt. is building its base camp on the coco island to keep eye on indain govt.

now coming to the best moment of my internship, while travelling through the marine vessel as my internship was on tourism i saw a dolphin .its one of the rarest view of natural sea. i happend to interview a tourist who was from u.k and when asked what fasinated him about these island his reply was

"at my place i see people running behind money, all they care about is status, but when i see the local & tribes of these island i really feel happy as the defination of happiness is complete different in their terms, they dont have enough money but still hey have a happy family, children playing with them .they enjoy their life to fullest and spend a quality time". i was relly moved by tins statment.

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[Dhruv Bindhani]

This is a highly engaging and insightful account of an internship, blending personal enjoyment with sobering discoveries and profound observations. It effectively communicates both the allure and the underlying complexities of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

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A Personal Connection to the Project​

The narrative immediately establishes a personal connection to the internship by highlighting it as a "hometown" project, which inherently adds a layer of enjoyment and familiarity for the author. This personal stake makes the subsequent discoveries, both positive and unsettling, more impactful and resonant.

Sobering Realities and Geopolitical Insights​

The internship, while enjoyable, quickly reveals unsettling truths about the islands. The most poignant observation is the lasting psychological impact of the 2004 Tsunami on the local population. The shift from loving beaches to fearing the "emerald blue sea" provides a stark and moving insight into the trauma experienced by the residents. Furthermore, the geopolitical revelation about "Coco Island" being leased to China by Myanmar, allowing for a Chinese base camp to monitor India, introduces a surprising and concerning strategic dimension to the region, far beyond typical tourism concerns. These facts demonstrate a deeper level of investigation beyond superficial data collection.

Best Moment: Awe-Inspiring Nature and Profound Human Observation​

Amidst these somber facts, the "best moment" stands out vividly: the rare sighting of a dolphin from a marine vessel. This natural encounter serves as a powerful reminder of the islands' untouched beauty and intrinsic allure. This moment of natural wonder is beautifully contrasted with the profound observation from a UK tourist. The tourist's statement about the local and tribal communities' different definition of happiness – prioritizing family and quality time over money and status – is truly the most impactful insight of the entire piece. It transcends the typical scope of a tourism project, offering a deep philosophical reflection on societal values and the essence of contentment. This encounter clearly had a significant personal impact on the author, elevating the internship experience from a mere data collection task to a journey of personal and cultural understanding.