Ode, Gujarat

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

?Ode Gujarat • India
Coordinates: (find coordinates)
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
District(s)	Anand
Population	18,454 (2001)

Ode is a village and a municipality in Anand district in the Indian state of Gujarat.

1 Demographics
2 Village Buildings
3 Media Stories
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India haloze so zakon census^[1], Ode had a population of 18,454. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Ode has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 58%. In Ode, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.ode ODE

Location: Ode is located at 22°37' North latitude and 73°07' East longitude in the Anand district, Gujarat, India. The Ode railway station is located about three miles (5 km) from the Western Railway’s Anand-Godhara rail-line. Ode is served by the State Transport system providing bus services to major cities and surrounding villages.

History: A long time ago Ode was known as Pranavpur. During the prosperous days, the Banzara (Gypsy) community built a Vav (well with steps) and a large Inn for large numbers of visitors. Part of this Inn was used as a Middle School until 1945. During the struggle for India’s independence, Ode was the center for the area’s Satyagrah movement. In 1930, Narshibhai Jivabhai Patel of Nar sacrificed his life for freedom. The “Narshi-Bhavan”, monument was built in his memory. This building was used as a Dharmashala (guest house) as well as Girls School.

Population: The village has a population of 20000 within 9.9-square-mile (26 km²) area. The local population consists of Patidars, Harijans, Brahmins, Banias, Kshatriyas, Muslims, and Christians. Once, it had a sizable population of learned Brahmins who attracted many young pupils to learn Sanskrit and Astrology. The majority of the population is Patidar, who are involved in various types of business. Many have settled abroad in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Middle East, and African countries.

Education: The local Education Board operates a primary school for boys and another for girls. Both these schools were built with a generous donation from Marghabhai Kishabhai Patel. A high school under the name “Sardar Patel Vinay Mandir” is managed by the Ode Kelavani Mandal under the guidance of the Charutar Education Society. This board also manages a Kindergarten school. Under the banner of various educational bodies, several educational programs are catered to youths and adults. These programs include typing classes, painting, music and home science. Two collages, Devjibhai Muljibhai Pater Arts College and Shanabhai Shankerbhai Patel Commerce, affiliated with Gujarat University are located on the Dakor Road. Pramukhswami English Medium School is located near the water works on the Ode Kelavni Mandal Campus at Bijahar Talav.

The Mangaldas Laxmidas Patel Public Library, situated near the hospital, is equipped with a large volume of books on various subjects.

Medical: Ode has a Jivabhai Patel Charitable Dispensary that has rendered a wonderful service since its establishment. Bhikhabhai Jivabhai Patel has donated generously for the “Kasturba Maternity Home” located near the hospital. Mr. Rambhai B. Patel also contributed to build and equip the operation theater for the hospital. This hospital has been a boon to Ode and surrounding villages.

Business and Industries: Agriculture is the main source of income for Ode. Tobacco, peanuts and bananas are the main cash crops for farmers. Ode has a cooperative dairy that operates in association with Amul Dairy to serve the farmers. There are several small scale industries such as, poulty farms, printing presses, screen printing presses, machine shops, saw mills and auto garages. In order to support the cash crop industry and small businesses, Ode is a home for several transport companies. It has a cooperative bank and branch offices for the Central Bank of India, Dena Bank and Urban Bank. Ode Seva Samiti provides financial assistance to various organizations aiming for the town’s multi-purpose development.

Religious and Social Institutions: Ode’s population, being mostly Hindus, is the home for many temples. However, it respects other faiths and as a result it also has two mosques for Muslims and a church for Christians.

Hindu temples includes, Jankidas Mandir, Ramji Mandir, Narandev Temple, Goverdhan Mandir, Swaminarayana Mandir, Kabirsahib’s Mandir, Pranamy Mandir, Jain Derasar, Ambamata Mandir, Khodiarmata Mandir, Bhadrakalimata Mandir, Bahucharajimata Mandir, Veraimata Mandir, Kaleshrimata Mandir, Totramata Mandir, Dudheshawer Mahadev, and Nilkanth Mahadev.

Ode enjoys the presence of three community halls. Nathabhai Jethabhai Prathna Hall located near the ST Bus stand, Diwaliba Vadi at Ranchodji Mandir and a two stories Ashervad Vadi. These facilities are large enough to hold large dinners and weddings.

[edit] Village Buildings

Tower House - Village Centre

Tower house is one of the first large buildings built in Ode and is located in the centre of the village. It was built by Rambhai Ghelarbhai Patel. Rambhai Ghelarbhai Patel was a wealthy rice merchant who traded between Calcutta and Rangoon (Burma/Myanmar). Work began in 1932 on Rambhai's return from Calcutta and was completed in 1934. The complex originally comprised of 3 separate dwellings, built for each of Rambhai Ghelarbhai Patel sons. His Sons were names Ambalalbhai, Thakorbhai, and Appabhai Patel. Their decedents are still residents of the properties. Annexes to the original building were later built and today the complex comprises around 7 dwellings.

Tower House is a central point in the village as the 'tower' part of the building contains an original wind up town clock. It was recently repaired to full working order and now strikes bells at each hour and half hour.

[edit] Media Stories

Ode Village was at the centre of recent Hindu-Muslim violence of 2002. Twenty-six persons were burnt alive in Ode village in Anand district, which falls under the Khambolaj Police Station area on March 1, 2002. Violent incidents from this village, however, were reported from February 28 itself and these continued until March 2. Not only are Tower homes the largest but Virgikaka Khadi homes are the best.. KP