<span style="color: #222222;">The archipelago of Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep are situated in the ocean outside the mainland of India, which share geographical and cultural commonalities.<br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Both the places attract lakhs of tourists by their serene beaches and natural beauty.<br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">However, unlike Andaman a permission from the Admin is required before entering the Lakshadweep.<br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Lakshadweep is known as the land of descendents of migrants from Malabar region of Southern India.<br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Jeseri, a dialect of Malayalam language, is widely spoken. Malayalees are also in considerable numbers, residing in urban areas of Andaman as well especially in the capital Port Blair.<br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Malayalam is the official language of Lakshadweep Islands. Festivals like Eid, Muharram and Onam used to be celebrated at both the places by the natives.<br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Being surrounded by sea, coconut cultivation and fisheries are part of daily life and economics of the states as well.<br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">A group consisting about 25 youths from Lakshadweep visited Port Blair early in March under Ek Bharat-Shrestha Bharat programme.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">A cultural exchange programme had been organised by the Art and Culture department of Andaman and Nicobar.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Further, the department is planning to organise more such activities of cultural integration using virtual medium.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Lakshadweep is an archipelago consisting of 36 Islands out of which only 10 are inhabited.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Minicoy is the lone island that is situated across 9 degree channel.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">It is very close to Maldives and hence has a cultural impact. The Island is about 5 sq. km in area with a population of more than 10 thousand.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">It is also a major centre of agriculture, milk production and fisheries. Mahl is the local language of Minicoy which is a dialect of Maldivian or Dhivehi.  </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Peeping into history, residents of the Minicoy Islands have settled in Nicobar centuries back.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">They used to have voyages to get back to their home in Minicoy. With passage of time a relation developed between the two communities through cultural exchange. Inter community marriages took place.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Lava is the common dance form of Minicoy Islands. In Lakshadweep Opanna is a folk dance used to be done during marriage ceremonies.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Relatives and friends sing songs and dance surrounding the bride. Before Independence, Minicoy was under British Raj and in 1956 the island unanimously voted to become a  part of India through referendum.</span><br />''