THE DIVING TEAM

   

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.
Mitali Dutt Kakar : 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.
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.
Homi Adajania : 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.
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!!
Subin Kalarikkal : 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.
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.	x
Rajesh Ramakrishnan : 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.