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Prahlad Kakar |
Ad-man, hat collector, tea
connoisseur, cigar manufacturer, restaurant
owner and CMAS 2 Star Diving Instructor –
the man behind creating Lacadives is an enigma
and his child like enthusiasm for the sport
and the sea has inspired many to take the
plunge. Running two dive centres in the Lakshadweep
islands was never an easy task but Prahlad’s
unwavering support and zest for diving has
kept Lacadives afloat through thick and thin. |
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| A lady of
the sea, Mitali is India’s only woman
CMAS 3 Star Diving Instructor and Course Director,
runs her own NGO – Reef Watch Marine
Conservation and manages her own production
house, Offspring. Currently trying to consolidate
all diving centres in India under a single
Indian Federation, Mitali has the same love
for the sea that Prahlad and their three children
have. Involved in almost all expeditions,
research and advanced training courses conducted
by Lacadives, Mitali embodies the true spirit
of a diver. |
 Mitali
Dutt Kakar
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Sumer Verma |
Having relinquished his
first job in Prahlad’s production team
to be one of the earliest and youngest Lacadives
Instructors in 1997, Sumer has indeed come
a long way. Half-man, half-fish, Sumer’s
love for the islands and the sea coupled with
great instruction skills make him an ideal
Instructor. Apart from being one of India’s
only two CMAS 3 Star Instructor and Course
Director, Sumer is also a CMAS Level 2 Photo
Instructor – something that is an extension
of his skills as an underwater cameraman and
photographer. Sumer had always been involved
in showcasing the oceans and their denizens,
be it through his award winning films like
“Troubled Waters” or through his
steady documentation of the seas from Lakshadweep
to the Andamans. His skills have been put
to good use by agencies like Greenpeace and
his exhibitions are aimed at being platforms
for bringing the sea closer home to more than
just divers. Patient, experienced and totally
in tune with the sea – Sumer is a pleasure
to dive and learn with. |
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| CMAS 3 Star
Instructor, debutant film-director, travel
writer, wanderer – Homi is the spice
of our lives when he comes visiting. The islanders
love him, the guests love him, heck…even
the island goats and roosters love him. Fun
to dive with, great to learn diving with and
a veritable storehouse of stories that split
sides, Homi is a great diver who loves the
sea and all those whom he shares it with. |
 Homi
Adajania
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Mohammed |
Dive Master at Bangaram
since the resort first started there, Mohammed
has been diving at Bangaram for over 10 years
now and knows all the sites at the back of
his palm. A first rate diver and an islander
from the Lakshadweep, Mohammed brings his
native knowledge and experience of the seas
to his diving. Chilled, relaxed and mellow…
that’s how diving and training with
him is…till he starts doing his world
famous and flamboyant somersault entries into
the water!! |
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| CMAS 2 Star
Instructor at Bangaram, Subin gave in to the
sea after his first dive during a NCC sponsored
course at Kadmat. He also had the “pleasure”
of having Prahlad as his first Instructor
and still fondly remembers how crazy it was
back then. Totally dedicated to the sport,
Subin loves his “job” and infects
fellow divers with his enthusiasm. |
Subin Kalarikkal
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Seemant Saxena |
CMAS 2 Star Instructor at
Kadmat, Seemant walked away from his former
profession as a hotelier after working at
the Bangaram resort and seeing the Dive boat
leave every morning for “work”
while he organised rooms for the tourists
checking in. He still wears the same “Alice
in Wonderland” look that we saw him
with when he first dived with us in Bangaram
and can still not help himself from thinking
that he’s dreaming it all up. |
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| Our liaison
officer at Cochin, Rajesh ditched his career
with Indian Airlines after his life altering
interview with Prahlad and decided that Lacadives
had a cooler bunch of people to work with
than the Airlines! He is one of our most valued
members because he simply never uses the word
“Impossible”. From organizing
flight tickets to great South Indian lunches
at Cochin, Rajesh can do it all. |
 Rajesh
Ramakrishnan
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Siddharth Pujari |
One of the most valuable
additions to the Team, Siddharth brought his
unique blend of professionalism and love for
a job that allows him to dive when he became
a Laca-diver. His previous experience in the
Travel trade only gives him more mileage as
the voice of Lacadives at Mumbai. A cheerful
and enthusiastic fellow, he loves putting
the most important ingredients together that
ensure everyone diving with us is treated
warmly and professionally from the start.
A first rate diver, his first dive at Kadmat
involved a rubbing - noses kind of encounter
with Dolphins, Sharks and turtles - he has
been hooked since then. Siddharth earnestly
waits for his chance to return to the islands
and may one day just decide to make Instructor.
We would love it either way! |
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