PSM Begins Island Visits to Judge Inaugural Chaalu Dhivehi Raajje Awards

Public Service Media (PSM) has launched a series of on-site evaluation visits for the inaugural "Chaalu Dhivehi Raajje Award," a national competition designed to recognize islands that excel in environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and sustainable community development. Led by PSM Managing Director Ahmed Shakeeb, the evaluation team began its itinerary in Guraidhoo, Kaafu Atoll. The team is currently inspecting nominated sites and engaging directly with local residents to gather first-hand evidence of community achievements. Over the next several weeks, the panel will visit 14 islands that successfully advanced to the second round from an initial pool of 50 applicants. To ensure the integrity of the competition, PSM has implemented a rigorous transparency framework. Aishath Liva Ziyad, Business Development Executive at PSM’s Project Land and Development Department, stated that final determinations in each category will be verified by an independent audit firm. Furthermore, scoring and quality assessments will be conducted by independent experts to eliminate any internal influence from PSM. The final winners will be determined through a hybrid scoring model. Professional evaluations by the visiting team will account for 60 percent of the total score, while the remaining 40 percent will be decided via public voting among the top five shortlisted islands in each category. The competition features six distinct categories: Most Captivating Island Destination, Most Responsible Island Tourism, Cleanest and Most Eco-Friendly Island, Most Innovative Concept in Sustainable Development, Most Cohesive Community, and Most Beautiful Beach. Notable finalists include Ukulhas, Mathiveri, and Fuvahmulah City, among others. Beyond the trophies, the "Chaalu Dhivehi Raajje Award" seeks to foster a sense of civic pride across the archipelago. By highlighting exemplary community efforts, the initiative aims to encourage sustainable lifestyles rooted in Maldivian tradition and attract increased tourism to local island destinations by showcasing their unique strengths on a national stage.