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People and Culture
 Ethnically, the people of the islands are very similar to the people of Kerala, even their language is the same except in Minicoy where Mahl is spoken. As Muslims, they have conservative customs and traditions and yet they are liberal in approach.
Each island, has several mosques. Ladies are not permitted to enter.
Non-availability of drinking water accounts for a number of islands being uninhabited.
After many difficulties he was able to carry out his mission, and to this day, the people of Lakshadweep follow Islam. Traces of the old culture still linger however; despite the influence of Islam, a caste system still prevails based on occupation- landowners, sailors and cultivators. Although Madrassas in all the islands impart religious instruction to school-going children, many individuals bear two names.
Not much is known of the early history of Lakshadweep. From the 7th century onwards, however, enough evidence exists to piece together a history of the islands. The people converted to Islam under the influence of Hazrat Ubaidullah who set off from Mecca after Prophet Mohammed appeared to him in a dream, commanding him to leave for distant shores to propagate Islam. The ship on which Hazrat Ubaidullah was sailing was wrecked and after drifting on a plank of wood he reached the island of Amini where his mission met with fierce opposition.
History comes alive in folk ballads that women chant during their house - hold chores. Events of the past - the arrival of Hazrat Ubaidullah in Lakshadweep, the plunder of the islands by the Portuguese, have been perpetuated by the balladeer.
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Regions of Lakshadweep |
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Agatti island is the only island in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep , India that has an airstrip . The island has only one hotel and supplies are delivered by ship once a week. It is connected to Cochin airport on the mainland. Indian Airlines and private airline Deccan airlines operate to this airfield. Other islands are linked by a helicopter or boat service. |
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Amini is an atoll in the union territory of Lakshadweep , India . Its total area is 7.0 square miles. It was one of the first islands in the archipelago to be inhabited. The artistans on this island are known for making walking sticks out of coconut shells and tortoise shells as well as carved stone and coral motifs. |
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Kavaratti is an island in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep off the coast of the state of Kerala . The territorial capital Kavaratti is located here and is one of the smallest union territory capitals in India . 52 mosques are located throughout the island, including the Usra Mosque . |
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Bangaram is a Telugu film which released on May 3 , 2006 and was directed by Tamil director Dharani . This film has Pawan Kalyan , Meera Chopra , and Raja playing the lead roles. Although the opened with extraordinary collections grossing almost 10 crores opening week, the film came out to be a dissapointment. |
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Andrott is an island in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep , India . It is a protected territory and not a tourist destination. Most of its inhabitants are conservative Muslims . |
Kalpeni is an island in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep , India . It forms a single atoll along with the uninhabited island of Cheriyam , the Tilakkam and Pitti Inlet.Littered along the eastern and southern shorelines of the island is coral debris which was the result of a violent storm that hit the area in 1847.It was the first island in the Union Territory where women were allowed to go to school and get an education. |
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Minicoy Island or Maliku is the only inhabited island of Maliku Atoll and it is the second largest and the southern-most island of the Laccadive Archipelago north of the Maldives . The locals, the Malikun, call their island Maliku , as do the Maldivians, while it is Minikkoy in Malayalam and it is Malik in Hindi . The nearest island is Thuraakunu in the Republic of Maldives. The island is administered by India under the Indian Union Territory of Lakshadweep . On the southern side of the island lies the uninhabited islet of Viringili . |
Bitra is an Island atoll in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in India .There is a small shrine dedicated to an old Arab saint by the name of Malik Mulla who was buried on the island. The shrine has become a site for of pilgrimage. |
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