By Staff Reporter

Dr Ajai Sonkar has been active in the islands the turn of the century to set up a pearl culture facility. After much struggle he was able to acquire some land and requisite permissions from the concerned authorities to set us his lab in North Bay, across Port Blair. Even before he could stand on his feet, tsunami of 2004 devastated his laboratory and the entire infrastructure built was washed out. But he did not give up and continued his mission with renewed vigour.

Fortunately for his before the tsunami he had succeeded in producing 8 mm black pearl in his lab and had the opportunity to display it before Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the President of India. The black pearl was worth around $ 30,000 in the international market. Dr Kalam had shown keen interest in the project and advised Dr Sonkar to think of creating employment for the youth of the islands.

It was in this background that Ajai Sonkar had arranged a multimedia display of his process and product in the conference hall of the directorate of fisheries in the presence of Cherring Targey, Chief Secretary and Tapan Mandal, Development Commissioner and Krishnamurthy, Director of Fisheries. Ajain Sonkar now intends to spread the technic of pearl culture amongst the youth of the islands so that they are engaged fruitfully and bring name, fame and wealth to the islands. He desires to work in close coordination with the administration to impart training to the willing youth and expects the department of fisheries to sponsor the trainees.

He explained that the pearls he produced with his unique technique were very high value products and fetched fabulous prices in the international market. If exploited properly, it would generate huge amount of profits for all concern.

He also displayed his Ganesh pearl that he had produced in six months flat with a special technique with five incisions. He also told the media that the mother pearl was not killed in the process and could be used again and again.

Cherring Targay, Chief Secretary appreciated the efforts of Ajai Sonkar and exhorted the media to generate awareness about the product and its prospects to lure the unemployed people to take up the training so that it serves them and the islands well. It could be an excellent career option, he said. He also advised the director of fisheries to explore the possibility of implementing the training programme as early as could be possible.