From currency, electricity, roads, bridges to star hotel, hospital and crafts making: How Jadwets build modern Andaman & Nicobar

The history of the Jadwet family is almost inseparable from the economic and business history of Andaman & Nicobar and Nicobar Island, in particular.

- RITWIK MUKHERJEE

From introducing currency, starting electricity generation to building roads, bridges and the first star hotel property, Jadwets have been associated with many firsts in the picturesque island.

Speaking to The Statesman, Ebrahim N Jadwet, the fifth generation scion of the Jadwet clan and founder-Director, ANEMCO, who is writing a book on the history of the family, compiling some rare pictures like first President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad's visit to the islands, Mrs Indira Gandhi's visit, and a lot of old photographs including the picture of MSV Sephena, one of the sailing ships of Jadwets which was later given to the central tribal cooperative society, lot of handwritten letters and so on, narrates how the family landed up in the island, past-present-future of the family business.

Excerpts:

Q: The history of this scenic place called Andaman Nicobar islands cannot be thought of or cannot be narrated without the history of the Jadwet family. So I would like to start asking you- how did the Jadwet family land up in Andaman & Nicobar (Nicobar, to be precise)?