Falakata

Falakata, West Bengal ফালাকাটা
Town
Falakata, West Bengal Location in West Bengal, India
Coordinates: 26°32′N 89°12′E / 26.53°N 89.2°E / 26.53; 89.2Coordinates: 26°32′N 89°12′E / 26.53°N 89.2°E / 26.53; 89.2
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District	Alipurduar
Government
• Type	West Bengal File:debu002.jpg
Elevation	88 m (289 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	18,801
Languages
• Official	Bengali, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Lok Sabha constituency	Alipurduars (SC)
Vidhan Sabha constituency	Falakata (SC)
Website	jalpaiguri.gov.in

Falakata is a census town and police station of Alipurduar subdivision^[1] in Alipurduar district in the state of West Bengal, India.

Geography

Falakata is located at 26°32′N 89°12′E / 26.53°N 89.2°E / 26.53; 89.2 It has an average elevation of 88 metres (288 feet). It is believed that Subhas Chandra Bose stayed at Falakata in Soulmari Ashram. This place is a recently declared Municipality. Falakata High School is the oldest and largest school, having about 3000 students. Mujnai is the main river. Subhash Pathagar is the old town library. The Town Club is situated beside NH-31 and 110 km away from Siliguri. Its Founder President was Nirendra Kr. Chanda (Alias Kanu Chanda) and its Founder Secretary was Nitish Das. Falakata is surrounded by rich forests, corn fields and the nearby Kunjanagar Eco-Park.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[2] Falakata had a population of 18,801. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Falakata has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 71%. In Falakata, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Education

Falakata is considered to be one of the best suburbs in terms on Educational Institutions in North Bengal. Falakata High School is the oldest school in the city. This school has been the Guardian of the educational affairs. Off late other schools like Falakata Girls' High School, Jadabpally High School, Parangepar Shishu-kalyan High School, Subhash Girls' High School were established. The most recent installment was the establishment of Parangepar Shishu-kalyan High School which has gained extreme reputation for its discipline and excellent results in recent years. There is one CISCE Board affiliated Raymond Memorial Higher Secondary School which happens to be the largest of its kind in North Bengal.

Falakata College is one of the very prominent Colleges which still has only Arts streams in it.

In recent years Falakata B. Ed College and Falakata Polytechnic College are attracting students from all over West Bengal.

There are many Primary Schools both private and government. Sishu Sadan State Plan Primary School, Falakata Basic School etc. One of the oldest private nursery school is South Nursery School. There are some new schools also names Nivedita Academy,Anadamela etc. Recently Techno-India Group opened a Nursery School.

Falakata High School has been the center of this city which has in many ways contributed to the Educational and Cultural well being of this suburb. Sri Nirad Baran Roy, the fourth Headmaster of Falakata High School, along with a group of dedicated teachers guided the school to its apex of achievements. Be it academic, discipline, sports or any extra-curricular activities, the school made a rapid progress in every fields by all standards. Sri Nirad Baran Roy also had a great role in the establishment of Falakata College. He was Founder Secretary of Organising Committee of the college and he was in the Governing Body for more than three decades.

Health

A block hospital is also there with round the clock health-care facilities available. Maternity care is quite well proficient. It provides medical facilities to the surrounding villages. Regular health camps are held and immunisation camps for children are also in practice.

Culture

Falakata Town Club is a hub of sports centre. Frequent sports events are organised by them. 'Renaissance', 'The Runner' etc are cultural groups encouraging drama and recitals. Sri Sishir Kumar Bhadra was one of the pioneers worth mentioning. 'Purnima Sahitya Sammelan' is a writer's forum for the last twenty five years. They published a magazine every year and held a literary session in every month. 'Sarater Haoa', 'Hridaykali', 'Onyobak', 'Spandan' etc are some of the little magazines to be mentioned.

References