Ranaghat

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Ranaghat v • d • e West Bengal • India
Ranaghat
District(s)	Nadia
Coordinates	23.18° N 88.58° E
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 7 m (23 ft)
Population	68,754 (2001)
CPM Chairman	Shankar Singh
Codes • Postal • Telephone • Vehicle	• 741201 • +91-3473-2xxxxx • WB-52

Coordinates: 23.18° N 88.58° E

Ranaghat (Bengali: রাণাঘাট) is a town in the district of Nadia, West Bengal, India. It is situated 74 kilometers north of Calcutta. One of the most important railway junction in the Sealdah-Murshidabad railway section.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Places of Interest 5 Economy 6 Education 7 Culture 8 Transport 9 Recreation 10 Medical Facilities 11 Current Condition of the city 12 Politics 13 External links 14 References 15 See also

[edit] History

Ranaghat, the town that has its existence since the English invaded this country, was mentioned in some of famous historians' books. A myth/rumour is there that the name came from the 'Rana Dacoit' who used to loot in this place and neighbourhood 5 or 6 hundred years back and he used to give pujas to Maa Kali after looting them. Though not yet confirmed, but anthropologists believe the name 'Ranaghat' must have come from there.

The town is home to the famous bengali poet Joy Goswami.

[edit] Geography

The town is exactly 74 kilometers north of calcutta and 26 kms south of Krishnanagar, nadia-district headquarter. Bangladesh border is within very high proximity of this town. Ranaghat is located at 23.18° N 88.58° E^[1]. It has an average elevation of 7 metres (22 feet).

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census^GRIndia, Ranaghat had a population of 68,754. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Ranaghat has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 87%, and female literacy is 80%. In Ranaghat, 8% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Places of Interest

The following places might be interesting to the people who are coming to the town.

1. Churni Nodir ghat -- The bank of churni, really pleasant in the scorching heats of summer. The recently made bridge over the churni is being used as a medium of communication between the people of Ainshtola (the west side of churni) and burrabazzar(east side).

2. Siddheshwari Temple -- Famous temple situated in the heart of the town, Dey Chaudhary Para. This old temple is in existence for over 150 years. People specially women pay a tribute here on a regular basis.

3. The Church -- One of the most beautiful churches in west bengal, ranks very close to the Bandel Church. The fabric works inside the prayer-room and the aesthetic design of the outside wall is simply fabulous. More about it in the Culture section.

4. Nistarini Temple -- Another temple near the Happy-Club maidan.

5 Ranaghat Forest -- Located outside the main township, ranaghat forest is one of the popular picnic spot here.

6. Zamindar's Buildings -- There are a handful of old Zamindar buildings in the city as well. The town was ruled by zamindars during the British period. Dey Choudhury Building and Pal Choudhury Building still bears the testimony for that. Though these two are more of the town's emblem for glorious past than the places to visit.

[edit] Economy

Economy of ranaghat is mostly based on agriculture. Different types of grains starting from paddy, flour, wheat, different fruits are being produced in a vast area outside the main township, where you would find a large number of farmers and villagers. Various products from milk are transported to calcutta each and every morning.

Another type of product which is not getting so much of govenrment's notice is the handicraft and boutiques. At least 1000 people or more depend on this.

IT infrastructure is getting polularised lately there. All the banks have been computerised in the town.

[edit] Education

The town boasts a number of schools for higher-secondary education. but not so many for graduation.

Current situation is as follows:
Higher-Secondary school

1. Pal Choudhury High School.
2. Brajabala girls' higher secondary school.
3. Lalgopal boys' high school.
4. Lalgopal girls' high school.
5. Bharati High School
6. Nasra High School
7. Debnath High School
8. Yousuf Instituition
9. Milan Bagan Higher Secondary School

Primary school

1. Brajobala girls' primary school.
2. Malancha Vidyapith.
3. Holychild high school.
4. Nivedita Academy.
5. Chhobi Memorial and so many others are there.

College:

1. At present only one is there.

Ranaghat College. It offers batchelors' programme in most of the science subjects(B.Sc degree to be offered), in arts (B.A to be offered) and in commerce(B.Com). The college politics is a part and parcel of this college. The current ruling party is DYFI. Democratic Youth Federation of India. We sincerely hope this whole politics gets eradicated from this academic place. But some miracle is needed for that. The city desperately needs some engineering or medical college. But as we are all aware of west-bengal economic situation we better not mention anything about it. We hope one day, an institute named 'Ranaghat Institute of Technology' would be set up there.

[edit] Culture

The town is inhabitated mostly by bengalis. Durga-puja like all other bengali counterpart is celebrated throughout the entire city. All the other pujas are celebrated also. But the ranaghat municipality has other things to worry about than to invest money in these issues.

The Christan community celebrates X-mas in style. Begopara Church becomes the center-stage of this celebration. It is situated in Begopara, on a large area outside the main township. Undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful churches of Bengal. During the Christmas, people from all the religion come here to join the party. Its worth a look. The writer sincerely requests all the people, who are yet to set their feet there must pay a visit there this December on 25th. Other users are encouraged to upload a picture of the church.

• More information can be found out here.

There is a mosque in Nasra-para. Devotees of Islam go there for sure.

[edit] Transport

The city is well connected to Sealdah railway station. Local and passenger trains are available every half-an-hour. But due to population outburst in the intermediate stations like Chakdaha, Kalyani etc., never expect a seat during day-hours. Our railway-minister has recently passed a bill for running a superfast train in the Sealdah-Lalgola route. That would minimise the current 2 hrs time by at least one hour. But this project requires a helluva money. So the writer is not sure when it will be materialised.

From Ranaghat railway station, trains ply in both north and south. Local trains are available for these places: Krishnagar, Shantipur, Gede, Bangaon and Sealdah. A handful of fast passengers train between Lalgola and Sealdah also goes over Ranaghat. An express train Bhagirathi express, mainly for the office-goers run in the morning. To be exact it departs from Ranaghat for Sealdah at 8:50 in the morning and in the evening leaves Sealdah station at 6:25pm for Ranaghat. It takes around 1 and half hour in contrary to the 2 hours taken by the local trains.

Railway ministries of India are taking steps to make Ranaghat Railway station as a station of national importance. Numerous plans have been taken for the modernization and improvement of the platforms and the attached area in the latest railway budget of india.

Bus service, though less used by the commoners due to the bus-stop position in a far place from the railway station, is also available. Buses ply through the 34th national highway: in north to north bengal through Krishnagar, and to Kolkata in the south direction.

Auto-service might be popular in other cities of West Bengal, but its not available here.

[edit] Recreation

There are four theatres in the city (none of them are Dolby-DTS though). They are Surendra, Ranaghat Talkies, Geetanjali and Pramanick. The last one is supposed to be closed by dec-2006 and a multiplex is supposed to be opened there.

Cultural programmes are mostly held in the following places.

1. Najrul Mancha also known as Aheli. Last time it came in the news when it held the Junior. P.C. Sorcar Magic show. First Indian Idol, Abhijeet Sawant also performed in a live show here in January, 2006. Speculation is there that Himesh Reshammiya is coming for a live show here very soon.
2. Rabindra-Bhavan - Mostly used by schools and colleges for their annual function. Some renovation is being carried out with this place and scheduled to reopen in the beginning of 2008.

In the winter season each and every year two big cultural programs (better known as Melas) are organized. One at the Swasthyonnati Maidan (স্বাস্থ্যোন্নতি ময়দান), and another at the Happy-Club Maidan. They are known as 'Nadia Mela' and 'Ranaghat Utsav' respectively. Eminent personalities from the bengali social and cultural section have performed in these two shows. Names included are: Lopamudra Mitra, V. Balsara, Kabeer Suman, Rupankar etc.

Attempts have been made by the Ranaghat Municipality for regular Blood Donation Camps and Eradicate Illiteracy movement.

[edit] Medical Facilities

Couple of government hospitals and private nursing-homes are there in the town. They are:

• Anulia Hospital
• Ranaghat T.B. Hospital
• Ranaghat Nursing-Home
• Radharani Nursing-home

[edit] Current Condition of the city

Everything about the city is good except the roads. The streets are shrinking day by day. And due to huge tresspassers from Bangladesh, the population of the city also reached a high-mark. To do away with the pressure, large multi-storeyed flats and buildings are being made nowadays. When the writer was in town lastly, the total number of flats had already crossed 35. Barring with this problem, it's a nice place to live. No din and bustle there like Kolkata.

[edit] Politics

Ranaghat has two assembly constituencies – Ranaghat (West) and Ranaghat (East).

• Ranaghat West assembly constituency -results

Year	Voters	Voter Turnout	Winner			Runners up
		%age	Candidate	%age	Party	Candidate	%age	Party
1977	60,000	61.63	Gour Chandra Kundu	56.67	CPI (M)	Naresh Chandra Chaki	23.16	INC
1982	87,120	80.87	Gour Chandra Kundu	54.56	CPI (M)	Benoy Chatterjee	45.44	INC
1987 [2]	1,03,660	79.64	Gour Chandra Kundu	53.65	CPI (M)	Saradindu Biswas	44.81	INC
1991	1,27,380	83.18	Subhas Basu	42.64	CPI (M)	Naresh Chandra Chaki	40.16	INC
1996	1,57,750	88.53	Sankar Singha	48.06	INC	Sourendra Nath Nag	45.39	CPI (M)
2001	1,55,920	85.05	Sankar Singha	52.00	INC	Jyotirmoyee Sikdar	41.92	CPI (M)
2006	1,79,100	89.39	Aloke Kumar Das	42.58	CPI (M)	Sankar Singha	42.48	INC

• Ranaghat East (SC) assembly constituency - results

Year	Voters	Voter Turnout	Winner			Runners up
		%age	Candidate	%age	Party	Candidate	%age	Party
1977 [3]	59,670	65.28	Satish Chandra Biswas	49.98	CPI (M)	Sushil Kumar Ray	27.45	INC
1982	83,650	79.22	Satish Chandra Biswas	57.61	CPI (M)	Nitai Pada Sarkar	41.14	Ind
1987	98,830	76.42	Binay Krishna Biswas	55.41	CPI (M)	Ramendra Nath Biswas	41.56	INC
1991	1,30,560	84.00	Binay Krishna Biswas	46.02	CPI (M)	Akhil Kumar Majumdar	37.24	INC
1996	1,74,290	86.65	Binay Krishna Biswas	48.37	CPI (M)	Akhil Kumar Majumdar	41.95	INC
2001	1,67,680	81.44	Asim Bala	45.33	CPI (M)	Dr. Ramendra Nath Biswas	42.74	AITC
2006	1,95,980	88.89	Debendra Nath Biswas	50.33	CPI (M)	Nilima Nag (Mallick)	45.17	AITC

Ranaghat (West) and Ranaghat (East) are part of the Nabadwip (Lok Sabha constituency). ^[4]

[edit] External links

• Nadia District Official HomePage
• Ratha-Yatra of Ranaghat

[edit] References

1. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Ranaghat
2. ^ Election Commision Assembly election results 1977 – 2006
3. ^ Election Commision Assembly election results 1977 – 2006
4. ^ General election to the Legislative Assembly, 2001 – List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies. West Bengal. Election Commission of India. Retrieved on February 21, 2007.

[edit] See also

Cities and towns in Nadia District
Aistala | Bablari Dewanganj | Baruihuda | Birnagar | Chakdaha | Char Brahmanagar | Char Maijdia | Cooper's Camp | Darappur | Gayespur | Gopalpur | Hanskhali | Haringhata | Jagadanandapur | Kalyani | Karimpur | Krishnanagar | Kshidirpur | Madanpur | Mayapur | Nabadwip | Nasra | Parbbatipur | Phulia | Ranaghat | Santipur | Satigachha | Taherpur

Districts of West Bengal
Bankura | Bardhaman | Birbhum | Cooch Behar | Darjeeling | North Dinajpur | South Dinajpur | Hooghly | Howrah | Jalpaiguri | Kolkata | Malda | Midnapore East | Midnapore West | Murshidabad | Nadia | North 24 Parganas | South 24 Parganas | Purulia