Ratnal
| Ratnal | |
|---|---|
| panchyat village | |
  Ratnal | |
| Coordinates: 32°21′N 74°32′E / 32.35°N 74.54°ECoordinates: 32°21′N 74°32′E / 32.35°N 74.54°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Gujarat |
| Elevation | 120 m (390 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 8,500 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Gujarati, Hindi |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 370105 |
| Telephone code | 2836-276 |
| Nearest city | Anjar |
| Popular Figure |
Trikam Chhanga[1] Vasan Ahir |
| Railway Station | RUT |
Ratnal is a village near the town of Anjar in the Anjar taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is located around 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Anjar.
History
Rabaris claim that Ratnal was founded by them about 500 years ago[citation needed]. Yaduvanshi Ahirs people are believed to enter Ratnal for the first time.[citation needed] Ahirs are the majority in Ratnal now.
Earthquake of January 26, 2001
The 2001 Gujarat earthquake occurred on January 26, 2001, India's 51st Republic Day, at 08:46 AM local time (3:16 UTC) and lasted for over two minutes. The earthquake reached a magnitude of between 7.6 and 7.7 on the moment magnitude scale and had a maximum felt intensity of X (Intense) on the Mercalli intensity scale.
The village was almost completely destroyed in the January 26, 2000 earthquake. It is estimated that 175 people died in the village on that day.[2] Bill Clinton has previously visited the village.[3]
Economy
The people are mainly involved in agriculture and transportation. Ahir women of Ratnal are famous for their embroidery and patch-work. According to an India Today survey Ratnal is the only village in world having more than 1000 trucks.[4] People are mainly involved in transportation and cultivation of oil-seeds, cotton and other seasonal crops. Other smaller sources of employment are petrol pumps, tea stalls, pesticides sales. Some of the natives also work for the Indian Railways.
Infamous Child Marriages
The village presents a picture of paradox as both orthodoxy and modernity co-exists here.[5] Mass child marriages take place among an influential section among the Ahir community, known as Ahir Paratharia. In 2009 around 235 child couples tied the nuptial knot.[6] These marriages take place traditionally once a year on the thirteen day of the month of Vaishakh of the indigenous calendar.[6]
Schools
There are five schools in the village: 1. Ratnal Panchayati Prathamik Shala (Primary School for Boys) 2. Shri Krishna Pranami Kanya Vidyalay (Girls School) managed by Pranami sect 3. Vidya Bharati (Primary School managed by Vidya Bharati) 4. Peta Para Shala 5. Ratnal High School
Banks
At present there are two banks in village:- 1. Bank of Baroda 2. Kachchh District Commercial Co-Operative Bank
Railroad Station
Ratnal is a railway station on Bhuj - Gandhidham railway line and Bhuj-Palanpur Passanger train has a halt here. The station code is RUT.[7]
References
- ↑ http://kutchdp.gujarat.gov.in/kutch/english/pramukh.htm
- ↑ http://www.radixonline.org/media7.htm
- ↑ http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/mar/29bill.htm
- ↑ http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/Kutch_District
- ↑ http://globio.travel/details/Ratnal/4dc0e210157fda44d9a77a9c
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1257776/report-ministers-village-set-for-mass-child-marriages
- ↑ RUT-RATNAl