Thread by @ieexplained

☀️ Here’s today’s #ExpressExplained | We’ve pulled out our archives to bring you our coverage of Rajiv Gandhi’s holiday in the Lakshadweep Islands 🌴 🏖

indianexpress.com/explained

December 16, 1987: Considering the location and isolation of Lakshadweep's 27 islands, almost everything — except coconut and fish — will have to be airlifted to the archipelago. This includes cooks, water and generators in addition to the omnipresent securitymen and attendants

December 16, 1987: “Mr Gandhi’s Andaman holiday last year had created a controversy due to the unusual action of allowing foreigners into high-security naval installations.” bit.ly/2JCZyq7

Dec 28, 1987: "Informed sources say preparations for PM’s holiday started about four months back... Cooks of govt guest house here were despatched to Lakshadweep in a ship last Monday. A big contingent of masons & construction workers.. are working overtime for last one month."

December 28, 1987: "Two ships—Bharat Seema and Sagar Kanyaka which incidentally is a research vessel—were kept in readiness to carry the ministers and officials to the Dweep" bit.ly/2JCZyq7

December 29, 1987: "Large quantities of "ambalapuzha palpayasam", one of the choicest puddings of Keralites, have been airlifted to Lakshadweep to treat the visiting dignitaries." bit.ly/2JCZyq7

"Ambalapuzha palpayasam, which is made of rice boiled in milk and sugar, is given to devotees as offerings from the famous Shree Krishna temple at Ambalapuza in Alleppey district."

"Normally, even to get half a litre of this pudding from the temple, devotees have to register their names several days in advance" bit.ly/2JCZyq7

December 30, 1987: “Bangaram Island, chosen by the Prime Minister, Mr Rajiv Gandhi, to spend his year-end holiday, enjoys a special status in the archipelago.

“It is the only island where consumption of liquor is permitted. In all these other Muslim-majority islands, prohibition is strictly in force. The only other place where a traveller is allowed to drink is aboard ship.” bit.ly/2JCZyq7

“It is understood that the Prime Minister is planning to host a New Years party aboard a ship. According to sources, cartons of some of the choicest brands of liquor have already been sent to Bangaram to cater to the needs of VIPs.”

A cartoon in the December 30, 1987 edition of the Indian Express.

December 30, 1987: "Mr Gandhi said the Government had decided in principle to have an elected council. The technical and other aspects of the issue of people's representation in the administration were being studied." bit.ly/2JCZyq7

January 24, 1988: "At least eight foreigners joined the PM and his family during their new year holiday here. In all, the group consisted of 24 men, women and children. Looking after their needs were 70 persons from various departments, cooks and valets and naval personnels.

"Nearly 1200 policemen drawn from Lakshadweep police and Madhya Pradesh Armed Special Police, based at neighbouring Agatti island, were on patrol on the periphery of Bangaram."

"According to reliable sources, among the Navy vessels performing various duties in connection with the holiday were aircraft carrier INS Viraat, frigates INS Vindhyagiri and INS Taragiri, the landing craft carrier 39 INS Magar."

"The Lakshadweep Administration's oil tankers MT Suheli and MT Bharat were also there. Passenger liners like MV Bharatseema and research vessels like Sagardeep had been taken off their regular duty and put on the holiday tasks."

"Innumerable boats of local administration, including 40 hp highspeed boats, and Navy's yachting boats were pressed into service. Navy also provided a windsurfer for the holidaymakers. To be doubly sure, authorities reserved as standby nearly 80 private boats at Agatti island."

"The Lakshadweep Administration's helicopter meant for medical emergencies for islanders and inter-island transport and scores of the Navy's Seaking and Chetak helicopters flew thousands of miles to transport men and material to Bangaram."

"The VVIP kitchen and the general kitchen (for the select band of security men and senior officials) were well stocked, both in food and drink. Foreign liquor, included Remy Martin, the Spanish coffee liqueur Tia Maria and Soviet champagne."

"A favourite island delicacy was Shark Fin soup. Also Norwegian thin bread for the foreign guests. To soothen the stomachs there was Camomilla, a digestant made in Germany."

"There was recreation aplenty as PM and his party went swimming and boating, and tuna fishing in the seas. Kabaddi with men and women lined up against each other provided the Indian touch. The New Year night was marked by a firelit party on the sands." bit.ly/2JCZyq7