Vaikaradhoo (Haa Dhaalu Atoll)

Vaikaradhoo
Inhabited island
Vaikaradhoo Location in Maldives
Coordinates: 06°32′52″N 72°57′10″E / 6.54778°N 72.95278°E / 6.54778; 72.95278Coordinates: 06°32′52″N 72°57′10″E / 6.54778°N 72.95278°E / 6.54778; 72.95278
Country	Maldives
Geographic atoll	Thiladhummathi Atoll
Administrative atoll	Haa Dhaalu Atoll
Distance to Malé	268.85 km (167.06 mi)
Dimensions
• Length	1.300 km (0.808 mi)
• Width	0.690 km (0.429 mi)
Population
• Total	1,732
Time zone	MST (UTC+05:00)

Vaikaradhoo (Dhivehi: ވައިކަރަދޫ) is one of the inhabited islands of Haa Dhaalu Atoll administrative division of the Maldives.

Geographically, it is part of Thiladhunmathi in the north of the Maldives. It is a medium-sized agricultural community by Maldivian standards. Vaikaradhoo was one of the islands severely damaged by the great cyclone of 1821 that hit the northern atolls of the Maldives.

The ruins of a hawaitta (archeological mounds) known locally as the Jaadi Valhulithan stand on the western periphery of the island. The larger of the two mounds measures 55 by 75 feet. The apparent remains of a mosque created by early inhabitants of Vaikaradhoo are found on the nearby uninhabited island of Vaikaramuraidhoo. A cemetery and a well are found in close proximity to the site.

History

Maamiskiyy Tharaagandu, located close to Virares office, is believed to be the second oldest mosque used as both cemetery and mosque. Present archaeological evidence predicts that it was built between the 15th and 17th centuries, and it was built in the center of their village allowing the villagers to access the mosque with ease. In addition, the place had coconut trees, bread and fruit trees which were grown domestically.

Island administration

In 2011, the local council election was won by candidates of ruling Maldivian Democratic Party, including Abdullah Nishan, Ahmed Waheed (President), Abdullah Shareef (Vice President), Ali Amir and Adam Shahid.

Education

After World War II, the island became notable for a high literacy rate and awareness of general knowledge. Schools were built to teach Quran, essential religious concepts, and Arabic. Most of the teachers were local people familiar with the Arabic language. In 1984, with the help of Japanese grants to Maldives, five schools were built with administrative offices and lodging. Students were admitted to grade one who were 6 and half to 7 years old. Students above 7 years old were admitted into "special classes". At the time, there was no special curriculum for them.

In 1989 new school master Mr. Hussain Hassan made arrangements to discontinue special classes, allowing the students to enter grade classes according to their qualification. Soon grade 6 and grade 7 were introduced to the school. After two years, Mr. Hussain Hassan left for another Island. In 1994, school management introduced grade 8 to the school. In some cases, students were held in the same grade for more than four years in hopes of joining eighth grade. The dream was realized in 1996, when they introduced 8th grade commerce stream. In the year 2013 higher secondary Education was introduced with 5 students.

Obstacles

Substandard educators and management officials are a major risk to current education on the island. Some employees with long tenures were trained as temporary teachers and were promoted without looking at their academic qualifications. The G=government allocates a budget for educational activities to be controlled by school management. There are rumors that allocated budgets are incompletely spent almost every year. While students are in need of extra help and facilities, fund are given back to the government.

Economy

The island specialized in producing a few varieties of short-term crops, including watermelon, scotch bonnet pepper, green chili, papaya, taro, and pumpkin. From the beginning of the 19th century, they were the largest producer of finger millets in the country, which helped them to stave off starvation during World War II. Finger millet (Binbi) and screwpine (Kashi-keyo) fruits were largely traded between Raa atoll people in exchange of goods or money.

Since the beginning of dictator Maumoon Abdul Qasoom's regime, farming has become almost extinct. After a long time, people have started to grow watermelon and few varieties of vegetable on a very minor scale. This is largely practiced as a hobby rather than a way to make a living.

Media and socialization

Being an isolated small island, its inhabitants know each other very well. Mass social gatherings are common, especially for weddings and birthday ceremonies. In 2003, cable TV service was introduced to the island by a private operator for less than $7.00 per month. Due to relegious conflicts among subscribers, the service was discontinued after couple of years. In 2009, people started to use "AirTell" satellite dishes to watch the TV shows.

Online media

Since 2005, two online newspapers are published. "Vaikaradhoo Live" contributed to the overthrowing of dictator Maumoon Abdul Qayoom. After the successful attempt to collapse the government in 2008, the owner decided to cease the news. In late 2010, "Vaikaradhoo Live" emerged, claiming the team is back with new hopes.Four new websites came into existence at www.uthuru.com ,www.vaikaradhoolive.com, www.vaikaradhoo.com and www.jaadi.net.

References

Important links

(Dhivehi) www.b15.mv
(Dhivehi) www.hdhatollschool.edu.mv
(Dhivehi) www.jaadi.net

Island-level constituencies of the Maldives

Haa Alif	Baarah Dhidhdhoo Filladhoo Hoarafushi Ihavandhoo Kelaa Maarandhoo Mulhadhoo Muraidhoo Thakandhoo Thuraakunu Uligan Utheemu Vashafaru

Haa Dhaalu	Finey Hanimaadhoo Hirimaradhoo Kulhudhuffushi Kumundhoo Kurinbi Makunudhoo Naivaadhoo Nellaidhoo Neykurendhoo Nolhivaram Nolhivaranfaru Vaikaradhoo

Shaviyani	Bileffahi Feevah Feydhoo Foakaidhoo Funadhoo Goidhoo Kanditheemu Komandoo Lhaimagu Maaungoodhoo Maroshi Milandhoo Narudhoo Noomaraa

Noonu	Foddhoo Henbandhoo Holhudhoo Kendhikolhudhoo Kudafaree Landhoo Lhohi Maafaru Maalhendhoo Magoodhoo Manadhoo Miladhoo Velidhoo

Raa	Alifushi Angolhitheemu Dhuvaafaru Fainu Hulhudhuffaaru Inguraidhoo Innamaadhoo Kinolhas Maakurathu Maduvvaree Meedhoo Rashgetheemu Rasmaadhoo Ungoofaaru Vaadhoo

Baa	Dharavandhoo Dhonfanu Eydhafushi Fehendhoo Fulhadhoo Goidhoo Hithaadhoo Kamadhoo Kendhoo Kihaadhoo Kudarikilu Maalhos Thulhaadhoo

Lhaviyani	Hinnavaru Kurendhoo Naifaru Olhuvelifushi

Kaafu	Dhiffushi Gaafaru Gulhi Guraidhoo Himmafushi Huraa Kaashidhoo Maafushi Thulusdhoo

Alif Alif	Bodufulhadhoo Feridhoo Himandhoo Maalhos Mathiveri Rasdhoo Thoddoo Ukulhas

Alif Dhaalu	Dhangethi Dhigurah Didhdhoo Fenfushi Hangnaameedhoo Kunburudhoo Maamingili Mahibadhoo Mandhoo Omadhoo

Vaavu	Felidhoo Fulidhoo Keyodhoo Rakeedhoo Thinadhoo

Meemu	Dhiggaru Kolhufushi Maduvvaree Mulah Muli Naalaafushi Raimmandhoo Veyvah

Faafu	Bileddhoo Dharanboodhoo Feeali Magoodhoo Nilandhoo

Dhaalu	Bandidhoo Hulhudheli Kudahuvadhoo Maaenboodhoo Meedhoo Rinbudhoo

Kolhumadulu (Thaa)	Burunee Dhiyamingili Gaadhiffushi Guraidhoo Hirilandhoo Kandoodhoo Kinbidhoo Madifushi Omadhoo Thimarafushi Vandhoo Veymandoo Vilufushi

Laamu	Dhanbidhoo Fonadhoo Gaadhoo Gan Hithadhoo Isdhoo Kalhaidhoo Kunahandhoo Maabaidhoo Maamendhoo Maavah Mundoo

Gaafu Alif	Dhaandhoo Dhevvadhoo Gemanafushi Kanduhulhudhoo Kolamaafushi Kondey Maamendhoo Nilandhoo Vilingili

Gaafu Dhaalu	Fares-Maathodaa Fiyoaree Gaddhoo Hoandeddhoo Madaveli Nadellaa Rathafandhoo Thinadhoo Vaadhoo

Gnaviyani	Fuvammulah Dhadimagu Dhiguvaandu Dhoondigan Funaadu Hoadhadu Maadhadu Maalegan Miskiymagu

The capitals of each atoll are in bold. This list excludes first-level administrative divisions, Malé and Addu cities.

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, May 02, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.