Thoothukudi

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Coordinates: 8.72° N 78.12° E

Thoothukudi

Thoothukudi
State
 - District(s)		 Tamil Nadu
 - Thoothukudi
Coordinates 8.72° N 78.12° E
Area
 - Elevation		 4621 km²
 - x m
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Population (2001)
 - Density		 216,058
 - 46.75/km²
District Collector Dr. R.Palaniyandi I.A.S.
Codes
 - Postal
 - Telephone
 - Vehicle		  
 - 628xxx
 - +91 (0)461
 - TN-69 to TN-

Thoothukudi (தூத்துக்குடி in Tamil) also known as Tuticorin, is a city and a municipality in Thoothukudi district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

The city is also known as "Pearl City". It is a seaport which serves southern Tamil Nadu including the inland cities of Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli. It is one of the oldest cities in India with the history dating back to the 6th century BCE. Thoothukudi is the headquarters of Thoothukudi District.

Contents

[edit] Origin of Name

There are three theories as to the origin of the name:

  • Thoorthu (Dig) and Kudi (Drink)- The town had no rivers and the only source of drinking water was from wells.
  • "Thoortha" means land "reclaimed" from sea while "Kudi" also stands for "settlement" or "colony". Hence "Thoortha Kudi" or Thoothukudi could mean a settlement built on land reclaimed from sea.
  • Finally, the Tuticorin name was used by Dutch people who were here, and now its called "Tuticorin" in English and "Thoothukudi" in Tamil.

[edit] History of Thoothukudi

Thoothukudi is traditionally known for its pearl fishery and shipbuilding. It was the seaport of the Pandyan kingdom. Thoothukudi was the stronghold of the Paravas, a community from the lineage of Pandyan kingdom that still continues to be a strong base of this community. This community also claims the status of uncrowned kings of the land holding a sway over power. But recently, there is a decline in the community's stonghold since most of its youth are employed abroad. The Paravas community have a unique way of living; their cultural demarcations are stronger than that of the other communities in that region. The traditional old houses of the Paravas in the city are unique; they are built out of Burmese teak wood in both Victorian style and Chettinad style. Another community in this region is the Nadars, the southern trading community. Thoothukudi became the center of the Indian independence movement in the early 20th century, with such leaders as the poet Subramanya Bharathy, Kattabomman, and V.O. Chidambaram Pillai. In 1906, the great freedom fighter of India, V.O.Chidambaram Pillai with the help of Bal Gangadhar Tilak (also called as Lokmanya Tilak) launched the first Swadeshi ship "S.S. Gaelia" from this port town in British India.

The major harbour of Thoothukudi is well known as a pearl diving and fishing center. Thoothukudi was founded by the Portuguese in 1548, captured by the Dutch in 1658, and ceded to the British in 1825. (Courtesy - The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001) The lighthouse built in 1842 marked the beginning of the history of Thoothukudi harbour development.

[edit] Geography

[edit] Location

Thoothukudi is in South India about 540 km south west of Madras(Chennai) and is geographically located in the Gulf of Mannar.

The district of Mannar]] (Bay of Bengal), south and southwest by the district of Tirunelveli, west and northwest by the district of Virudhunagar and north by the district of Ramanathapuram. The total area of this district is 4621 km². The administrative headquarters is an urban agglomeration and also one of the taluk headquarters within the district.

The district of Thoothukudi was carved out as a separate district in the year 1986 as a result of bifurcation of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu State.

[edit] Climate

Tropical climate. Hot and humid.

[edit] Irrigation

There are no big reservoirs in this district so the Papanasam and Manimuthar dams—located in the Tirunelveli district under Tamirabarani system—are the main sources of irrigation. Other than the Tamirabarani river, the river Vaipar in Vilathikulam taluk, the river Karumeni which traverses through Sathankulam, and Tiruchendur taluks also act as sources. In Ottapidaram taluk there is one small reservoir at Eppodumvendran village.

[edit] Civic administration

Thoothukudi city officials
Member of Legistlative Assembly P. Geetha Jeevan, D.M.K
Chairman Kasturi Thangam
Collector Dr. Palaniyandi PhD IAS
Superintendtent of Police John Nicholson

S.Sumathi

[edit] Economy

The economy of Thoothukudi is based on industries, port, salt pans, and agriculture.

[edit] Industry in Tuticorin

Thoothukudi has a host of industries including power, chemicals, fisheries. The Industries in Thoothukudi are: 1. One Sipcot Estate , SIDCO Industrial Area & Co_operative Industrial Estate, maximium factories are situated. 2. Tuticorin Thermal Power Station (TTPS). 3. SPIC fertilizer plant 4. TAC fertilizer plant 5. Darangadara Chemicals (DCW), Arumuganeri. 6. Heavy water plant. (A unit of BARC). 7. NFC (Nuclear Fuel Complex) - Titanium & Zirconium sponge plant. 8. Transworld Garnet Industries. 9. AVM JumboBags (SIPCOT). 10. Sterlite Copper Industries. 11. Ramesh Flowers. 12. Nila Sea Foods. 13. St. John Freight Systems Limited. Kilburn Chemicals, 14. Madura Coats 15. Export of Senna leaves (medicinal value). 16. Salt industry. 17. Tamilnad Merchantile Bank. (Headquarters). 18. Windmills at Mullakkadu. 19. Tuticorin Port Trust.

The availability of skilled labour, major port, electricity generating plant, container facility has made Tuticorin a major destination for industry and business. Sethudamudram project, the airport at Vagaikulam, Koodankulam Nuclear Power plant, improved road and rail infrastructure and Nanguneri SEZ is expected to make Tuticorin a hot destination for business investment.

[edit] Port

On 11th July 1974,the newly constructed Thoothukudi port was declared as the 10th Indian major port and is second largest port in Tamil Nadu and third largest container terminal in India after JN Port (Mumbai) and Chennai. Thoothukudi is an artificial port. The Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project—a project to create a shipping channel through the shallow Palk Strait to allow larger ships through—is headquartered at the Port of Thoothukudi [1]. The Tata Group has proposed that chromium be extracted from the sands of coastal Tamil Nadu—the headquarters of this project is planned to be stationed in Thoothukudi.

[edit] Salt Production

The district constitutes 70% of the total salt production of Tamil Nadu and 30% of India.

[edit] Agriculture

Paddy is cultivated in the Srivaikundam, Sattankulam and Tiruchendur taluks. Cumbu, Cholam, Kuthiraivali and other pulses are raised in the dry tracts of Kovilpatti, Vilathikulam, Ottapidaram, and Thoothukudi taluks. Cotton is cultivated in Kovilpatti, Ottapidaram and Thoothukudi taluks. Groundnut cultivation is undertaken in Kovilpatti, Tiruchendur, and Sattankulam taluks. Groundnut cake is being used as manure and cattle feed. Palmyrah trees are grown mostly in Tiruchendur, Srivaikundam, Sattankulam and Vilathikulam taluks. Jaggery is produced from palmyrah juice; the production of jaggery is the main occupation of the people of Tiruchendur and Sattankulam taluks. Banana and other vegetables are raised in Srivaikundam and Tiruchendur taluks. The road going towards kulayankarisal from thiruchendur road has banana farms on one side and a salt farm on another side; water cannot be seen anywhere as each farm needs a different type of water. Thoothukudi is the largest exporter of Banana in Tamilnadu

[edit] Transport

  1. Airport - is at Vagaikulam [From April 1, 2006, Airdeccan started daily flights to and from Chennai].
  2. Port - One among twelve major ports of India. It has one of the best container terminals in India and is operated by the Port of Singapore.
  3. Rail - Connected by Broad Gauge Rail [Tirunelveli, Chennai, Mysore,BANGALORE,MADURAI and Trivandrum]
  4. Road - Connected by National Highways with Madurai and Tirunelveli. At present the three roads connecting Thoothukudi with Madurai, Tirunvelveli, and Ramnad are being converted into four laned highways.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Thoothukkudi had a population of 216,058. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Thoothukkudi has an average literacy rate 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%; female literacy, 79%. In Thoothukkudi, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] People and Culture

Paravars, Nadars dominate the region.

Pillais (Nangudi Vellalar), Chettiars, Yadhavars, Pannaiyars are Some other caste peoples also more in strength.

[edit] Education

Tuticorin has many primary and secondary schools, 4 UG and PG degree colleges, one govt medical college, one govt & one private polytechnic college, and one govt & one private ITI. The biggest schools are The Vikasa School, KAMAK Hr. Sec School, S.A.V Hr. Sec. School, St. Marys Boys Hr. Sec.School, Caldwell Higher Secondary School, Victoria Girls Hr. Sec.School, St. Francis Xavier Higher Secondary school, St. Thomas Higher secondary school, Karapettai Boys & girls School, Subbiah Vidyalaya Boys & Girls School, Spic Nagar Higher Secondary School, Holy Cross Girls' Higher Secondary School and Holy Cross Anglo Indian School. There is also a Government Fisheries Institute taeching & doing extensive research in marine life and a government maritime academy.

[edit] Media

Tuticorin town has around 7 local TV Channels.

Almost all the local TV channels covers the local news and it helps in the development of Tuticorin Town.

[edit] Sports

Moses Jeevanandam , old student of Caldwell Hr. Sec. School represented India in Basket Ball.

Shalini , old student of St. Mary's College , represented India in Beach Volley Ball.

Kamaraj , old student of St. Xaviers Hr. Sec School , represented India in Volley Ball.

Many others represented India in various games like weight lifting Fencing and Hockey

Tuticorin and its surroundings are also called as Nursery of Volley Ball.

During 80's , Basket Ball Coach in Tuticorin Town, Renga Chari , called as "Chari" created many Basket Ball Players in this region. Moses Jeevanandam is one among them.

[edit] Notable people from Thoothukudi

  • Veerapandiya Kattabomman was a chieftain who refused to bow down to the demands of the British for agricultural tax on native land and laid down his life for the cause of independence. The fight he launched in Panchalankurichi has been hailed as the inspiration behind the first battle of independence of 1857, which the British called the Sepoy Mutiny.
  • Subramanya Bharathi, Poet - The great Tamil poet Subramanya Bharathy is from Ettayapuram in the erstwhile Tirunelveli district before the Thoothukudi district was carved out. He composed poems foreseeing India's freedom, many articles on many subjects, and the unity of India in spite of its variety in languages, religion and cultures.
  • Cruz Fernandez, - the municipal chairman, who was responsible for bringing water from Vallanad to Tuticorin. He did many things for Tuticorin development.
  • JLP Roche Victoria, Former state minister and who pioneered the Vallanad water project which is the lifeline of Tuticorin.

[edit] References


[edit] Further reading

[edit] See also

[edit] External links


Seal of Tamil Nadu State of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Topics | History | Politics | Tamil people
Capital Chennai
Districts Chennai • Coimbatore • Cuddalore • Dharmapuri • Dindigul • Erode • Kanchipuram • Kanyakumari • Karur • Krishnagiri • Madurai • Nagapattinam • Namakkal • Perambalur • Pudukkottai • Ramanathapuram • Salem • Sivaganga • Thanjavur • The Nilgiris • Theni • Thoothukudi • Tiruchirapalli • Tirunelveli • Tiruvallur • Tiruvannamalai • Tiruvarur • Vellore • Viluppuram • Virudhunagar
Major cities Alandur • Avadi • Ambattur • Chennai • Coimbatore • Cuddalore • Dindigul • Erode • Kancheepuram • Karur • Kumbakonam • Madurai • Nagercoil • Neyveli • Pallavaram • Pudukkottai • Rajapalayam • Salem • Tiruchirapalli • Tirunelveli • Tambaram • Thoothukudi • Tiruppur • Tiruvannamalai • Thanjavur • Tiruvottiyur • Vellore
Portuguese Empire — Former colonies & present overseas territories
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