Puducherry

This article is about the Union Territory. For its capital city, also named Pondicherry, see Pondicherry (city).
  ?புதுச்சேரி
పాండిచెర్రి
പുതുശ്ശേരി
Territoire de Pondichéry
Union Territory of Pondicherry
India
Map indicating the location of புதுச்சேரி పాండిచెర్రి പുതുശ്ശേരി Territoire de PondichéryUnion Territory of Pondicherry
Coordinates:
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area 492 km² (190 sq mi)
Capital Pondicherry
Largest city Pondicherry
District(s) 4
Population
• Density		 973,829 (2nd)
• 1,979 /km² (5,126 /sq mi)
Language(s) Tamil, French, Telugu, Malayalam
Lt. Governor Lieutenant General Bhopinder Singh(Addl.)
Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam
Established 1 July 1963
Legislature (seats) Unicameral (30)
ISO abbreviation IN-PY
Website: www.pondicherry.nic.in

Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry; Tamil: புதுச்சேரி, Telugu: పాండిచెర్రి, Malayalam: പുതുശ്ശേരി, French: Pondichéry) is a Union Territory of India. It is a former French colony, consisting of four non-contiguous enclaves, or districts, and named for the largest, Pondicherry.

In September 2006, the territory and the city changed its official name from Pondicherry to the vernacular original,[1] Puducherry, which means "New village"[2] It is also known as The French Riviera of the East (La Côte d'Azur de l'Est).

Contents

Geography

Pondicherry seen from Spot Satellite

Pondicherry consists of four unconnected districts: Pondicherry, Karaikal, and Yanam on the Bay of Bengal and Mahé on the Arabian Sea. Puducherry (Pondicherry) and Karaikal are by far the larger ones, and are both enclaves of Tamil Nadu. Yanam and Mahé are enclaves of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, respectively. The territory has a total area of 492 km²: Puducherry (city) 293 km², Karaikal 160 km², Mahé 9 km² and Yanam 30 km². It has 900,000 inhabitants (2001).

History

Main article: History of Pondicherry
Pondicherry was mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, 1st century CE.

French influence

There are evidences on the Romans visit to Pondicherry and trade activities done as in early 800 BC. The Pondicherry Museum has Roman cups, jars and the coins traded in Pondicherry at that time. There is also evidence of the visit of St. Xavier to Pondicherry.

A remarkable degree of French influence in Pondicherry exists to this date. The design of the city of Pondicherry was based on the French (originally Dutch, the plans of Pondicherry dating from the end of the seventeenth century (1693-1694) are preserved in the National Archives at The Hague) grid pattern and features neat sectors and perpendicular streets. The entire town is divided into 2 sections, the French Quarter ('Ville Blanche' or 'White town') and the Indian quarter ('Ville Noire' or 'Black Town'). Many streets still retain their French names and French style villas are a common sight in Puducherry. In the French quarter, the buildings are typically colonial style with long compounds and stately walls. The Indian quarter consists of houses lined with verandas, and houses with large doors and grills. These French and Indian style houses are identified and its architecture is preserved from destruction by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage. If somebody wishes to demolish an existing house in the town area and rebuild, they need the permission from this organization and the new built house has to resemble the earlier architectural beauty possessed before destruction. The use of French language can be still seen in Pondicherry.

The history of French India is lead by Joseph Francois Dupleix, governor general of the French establishment in India, and rival of Robert Clive. Dupleix was primarily responsible for the Carnatic Wars, killing many Indians and destroying local territory, as a repercussion of the struggle between England and France to capture India's riches. At first Dupleix was successful in resisting the attacks of the English East India Company, but he lost in the later battles. With the end of his governorship in 1754, the French dream of becoming the supreme power in India died

The Statue of Dupleix was built by the French purposely to show their power in the city. The Statue of Dupleix in Pondicherry was commissioned by France in 1870. Another statue was built in France for the French soldier who served France's interests in taking Indian territory.

When the Statue of Dupleix in Pondicherry was first built, then this 2.88 m tall statue stood over six granite pillars, heavily decorated and curved, at the Place du Republique. Later on, the position of the statue was changed. Now, the statue of Dupleix stands in another place. When you walk in the promenade, now known as Goubert Avenue, then you will find this statue at its southern end, now overlooking a children's park.

In 1787 and 1791, farmers of Karaikal agitated against the heavy land tax imposed by the French. The Indian Rebellion of 1857 had its impact in the French settlements but it did not attract the attention of the rulers, as the incidents were few and considered as local. People employed legal means to fight against the French. In 1873, an advocate, Ponnuthammbi Pillai, moved to Paris court and won the case in which he was awarded a penalty by a French Magistrate in Pondicherry for walking into the court with footwear. (The French did not allow Indians to wear shoes. As a sign of being rulers.)

Official languages of government

Map of Pondicherry Region, Union Territory of Pondicherry, India

Official languages of Pondicherry are French, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. Status of each languages varies differently with respect to each district. When communicating between districts of different languages, generally English is used for convenience.

1.French: It is also the official language of Pondicherry Union territory. It was the official language of French India (1673-1954) and its official language status was preserved by Traité de Cession (Treaty of Cession) signed by India and France on 28 May 1956.

It remained as the de jure official language of Puducherry U.T by the Article XXVIII of Traité de Cession which states that,

Regional official languages

2.Tamil: Language used by the Pondicherry Government when communicating within and between the Tamil majority districts of Pondicherry and Karikal. Also the official language in Tamil Nadu state.

3. Telugu: Another official language of Pondicherry, but used more within Yanam (Telugu district). So, more correctly, it is considered a regional official language of Puducherry while being the official language of Yanam District. It also has an official language status in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

4. Malayalam: Another official language of Puducherry, but used more within Mahé (Malayalam district). So, more correctly, it is considered a regional official language of Pondicherry while being the official language of Mahé District. It also has an official language status in Kerala State and Lakshadweep Islands Union Territory.

Language spoken in numbers

As of 2001, number of people speaking in each official languages are,

Government & administration

Pondicherry Legislative Assembly
Main articles: Pondicherry Legislative Assembly and Pondicherry Municipal Council
See also: Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry and List of Chief Ministers of Pondicherry

Special Administration Status

According to Traité de cession dated 1956, the four former French colonies were assured of maintaining their special administrative status. That is why Pondicherry is the only Union Territory with some special provisions like Legislative Assembly, French as official language, etc.

The Article II of Traité de Cession states that,

Pondicherry Freedom Fighters

Pondicherry in literature

Economy

Macro-economic trend

This is a chart of trend of gross state domestic product of Puducherry at market prices estimated by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation with figures in millions of Indian Rupees.

Year Gross State Domestic Product
1980 1,840
1985 3,420
1990 6,030
1995 13,200
2000 37,810

Puducherry's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $2 billion in current prices. The potential for fisheries is substantial in the Union Territory. The four regions of the Union Territory have a coastline of 45 km with 675 km² of inshore waters, 1.347 ha of inland water and 800 ha of brackish water. There are 27 marine fishing villages and 23 inland fishing villages with fishermen population of about 65,000 of which 13,000 are actively engaged in fishing. Irrigation tanks and ponds are also tapped for commercial fish rearing. The Railways play a vital role for speedy economic growth. The entire cost towards execution of the new broad gauge line for 10.7 km from Karaikal to Nagore would now be funded by the Ministry of Railways and work has already been awarded on turn key basis for laying the new railway line in a period of 18 months. The present availability of power is about 400 MW. The demand is likely to increase with the development of Port, Special Economic Zone, other industrial development, trade, commerce etc.It has been decided to expand the Puducherry Airport so that air services could improve gradually over years, to land ATR to Boeing aircraft, to meet the growing demand for air travel. A MoU has already been signed with Airports Authority of India for expansion of Puducherry Airport in two phases.

Tourist spots

Places to visit

Auroville

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bill to rename Pondicherry as Puducherry passed
  2. ↑ BBC: "New name for old French territory"
  3. ↑ "Population Analysis and Projections". Census of India. www.pon.nic.in. Retrieved on 2008-06-04.

External links

States and territories of India
States Flag of India
Union Territories


Union Territory of Puducherry []
Puducherry Topics | History | Economy | Geography | Culture | Tourism
Capital Puducherry
Districts Puducherry • Karaikal • Mahé • Yanam
Major Towns Puducherry • Karaikal • Mahé • Yanam
Languages French • Tamil • Malayalam • Telugu