Simdega

Simdega सिमडेगा ସିମଡେଗା
City
Collage of different locations in Simdega Clockwise - Kelaghagh Dam, Hilly Terrain, District Administration Office
Nickname(s): Nursery of Sports[1]
Simdega सिमडेगा Location in Jharkhand, India
Coordinates: 22°37′N 84°31′E / 22.62°N 84.52°E / 22.62; 84.52Coordinates: 22°37′N 84°31′E / 22.62°N 84.52°E / 22.62; 84.52
Country	India
State	Jharkhand
District	Simdega
Government
• Type	Municipal Council
• Body	Nagar Parishad
Elevation	418 m (1,371 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	599,813
Languages
• Official	Odia, Hindi , Sadri, Munda, Kharia, Kurukh
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	835223
Telephone code	+91-6525
Vehicle registration	JH 20
Website	simdega.nic.in

Simdega is a City in the Indian state of Jharkhand .Simdega is the administrative headquarters of the eponymous District and Subdivision.The city stands at an elevation of approximately 418 metres (1371 feet) above sea level and covers an area of 3,750 square kilometre.Bounded in the north by Gumla , on the east by Ranchi and West Singhbhum, on the west by Jashpur Nagar , Chhattisgarh and on the south by Rourkela , Odisha.^[2] It is accessible by road through National Highways (National Highway 23) from Rourkela and Ranchi. The nearest railway station is Rourkela railway station.

Historically, the area was ruled by the Gajapati Kings of Gajapati Kingdom of Kalinga for centuries. The region is culturally an amalgamation of Indigenous and Odia Culture. The influence of Odia culture is significant in the area and the populace. The region also had historical relationship with Emperor Ashoka and Buddhism as evident from archaeological finds in the region.

History

Simdega erstwhile the Kingdom of Kaisalpur-Birugarh Parganas^[3] which was ruled by the King Ganga Vamsi of the Gajapati Royal family of the Gajapati Kingdom for centuries even during the British Colonial era. The Gajapati Royal Family still resides at Biru or Birugarh, situated at a distance of about 11 km from Simdega City on N.H. 23. This region of beautiful plateau is inhabited by the tribal and Odia Communities . The region has always been popular to missionaries, who established Schools, convents, hospitals and parishes on the lands donated by the erstwhile Gajapati Kings and its subordinates. Christian Missionaries especially Society of Jesus helped in spreading the education by establishing several Christian schools in the region.

As located in South Jharkhand, the language has been the sweet Nagpuri - a dialect of Odia language,^[4] whose offshoots being Sadri in many forms and adaptability. Odia culture has highly influenced this region. The Odia Kings ruled this area for centuries even during the period of British Raj. The Gajapati Kings of Kaisalpur-Birugarh invited Odia-Brahmin scholars from Odisha to this region and gradually these Odia Brahmins settled in every corner of the Kaisalpur-Birugarh Kingdom, even today in the remotest villages of this region one can trace these Odia Brahmins families. The Gajapati Kings had donated acres of land and even villages and Zamindaris to them.The other Odia communities of this region are Vaishnava, Goldsmith, Mahakud (Gauda or Yadava), blacksmith and Bhuiyan or Rout. The schools of this area has produced some eminent hockey players from this area who have represented India in Olympics and other National and International arena.It is known as cradle of Hockey in Jharkhand.^[5]

Development of Simdega is crucial to the development of south Jharkhand. Being in the proximity to Rourkela, Industrial Capital of Odisha,^[6] the region is bound to develop and cater to population in southern Jharkhand.

Education

Simdega is steadily emerging as a centre for education at the tertiary level. Christian Missionaries have established good schools in the area in land donated by the erstwhile Gajapati kings of Kaisalpur-Birugarh.Both CBSE and JAC curriculam is being followed at schools in Simdega. Catholic Church remains the largest and prominent contributor in the field of education in the city.

Some of the prominent schools are;

1. St.Mary School
2. Holy Spirit School
3. St.Francis School
4. St. John's School
5. Ursuline Convent for Girls
6. St.Anne School
7. DAV Public School
8. Gossner Inter College
9. Kendriya Vidyalaya
10. SS School
11. Navodaya School.

College level education is not adequate for the area as there are only two colleges of Ranchi University namely Simdega College^[7] which being the constituent college of Ranchi University and other affiliated college is S.K. Bage College, Kolebira. The level of education in these institutions of Ranchi University is below par and suffer from lack of qualified faculty. There has bee constant demand for improving the higher education in the City.

Health

The city has been making advances in the area of health facilities available to the residents. Apart from the community health centers ('CHC') at various Blocks at the District, there are two government hospital at Simdega namely;^[8]

1. District Hospital -01
2. Referral Hospital -02

St. Anne Dispensary and Nursing Home run by the "Daughter of St. Anne" at Church Road, Simdega. Shanti Bhawan Medical Centre a super- specialty Hospital at Biru, Simdega modelled on Christian Medical College & Hospital has been established in year 2014 by Calvary Gospel Ministry, USA.^[9] providing the best of medical facilities in collaboration with Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu. A new medical college and nursing school is also proposed to be opened in the hospital.

Shanti Bhavan Medical Centre, Biru, Simdega

Banking and Other Services

Banking Services

The City is well served by various Public Sector Banks as well as Private Sector Banks.

1. State Bank of India
2. Central Bank of India
3. Allahabad Bank
4. Bank of Baroda
5. Union Bank
6. UCO Bank
7. Punjab National Bank
8. HDFC Bank
9. ICICI Bank
10. IDBI Bank

The city is also well served by ATM of various Banks in and around the City.

Postal Services

The city has good network of India Post. The Head Post Office is located near Gandhi Maidan, Main Road, Simdega.

Telecom

The city is served by the state owned telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited alongwith Bharti Airtel , Vodafone India and Idea Cellular. High speed broadband and Wimax services are available in the city.

Media

The city has the circulation of following newspapers and periodicals which cover the local and national news namely Prabhat Khabar, Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran and Hindustan. English newspapers covering the area being The Telegraph (Calcutta), Hindustan Times and The Times of India.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census,Simdega had a population of 599,813. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%.Average literacy rate in Simdega as per census 2011 is 85.46% being higher than the national average, of which males and females are 89.22% and 81.54% literates respectively.

Simdega is located in a minority concentrated district. Almost , 57 Percent of the Population is Christian. Amongst this , 32.90 Percent are Catholic and the rest 23.40 percent are Lutheran. It is highest Christian majority region in Jharkhand and in Central India.Tribal Sarna religions including Hindus consist of 33 Percent of the Population.Muslim Population consist of 10 Percent of the Population.

Sports

Simdega is also known as 'Cradle of Hockey' in the state. It have given top notch sportsman at Olympics representing the county. Sylvanus Dung Dung is former olympian who won Gold at 1980 Moscow Olympics in Hockey. Michael Kindo is another olympian winning Bronze at 1972 summer olympics. Asunta Lakra captain of India's women Hockey Team hails from Simdega.^[10]

Recently, the city has got an 'Astroturf Hockey Stadium' for budding Hockey players for the area.^[11] It has an outdoor stadium named Albert Ekka Stadium for other sports.

Geography and Climate

Simdega is located at 22°37′N 84°31′E / 22.62°N 84.52°E / 22.62; 84.52.^[12] It has an average elevation of 418 metres (1371 feet).

Simdega has warm and temperate climate. The rain in Simdega falls mostly in the winter, with relatively little rain in the summer. This climate is considered to be Csa according to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. The average annual temperature in Simdega is 25.1 °C. In a year, the average rainfall is 1450 mm.The driest month is December, with 3 mm of rainfall. In August, the precipitation reaches its peak, with an average of 410 mm.The warmest month of the year is May, with an average temperature of 33.0 °C. At 17.9 °C on average, December is the coldest month of the year.^[13]

Land usage details

Cultivable land: 1,34,024.33 hectare. Irrigated  : 16,367 hectare Un-irrigated  : 1,17,657.33 hect.

Main crops  : Paddy, Maize, Wheat, Groundnut,Black Gram(Urad).

Main forest produces: Mahua, Chironji, Kusum seeds, Sal seeds, Tendu leaves

Major industry : Agriculture including Animal Husbandry, Granite Stone Mining, Limestone Mining.

Main Rivers : Sankh River, Chinda River and Palamara River

Economy

Economy of Simdega is primarily based on Agriculture and Agriculture allied activities like lac production and animal husbandry. The area has Animal husbandry farms for poultry, Emu, Ducks and pigs. The main crop of simdega being Paddy, Maize, Corn. The region has fertile soil for cultivation of various fruits and vegetables which are consumed locally through local farmers market, giving emphasis to locally grown and sourced produce.

ATMA ( Agriculture Technology Management Agency)^[14] is located in Simdega which gives education and training to local entrepreneurs about latest and scientific agricultural techniques including Animal Husbandry, Lac Production and Honey production.

Simdega's proximity to highly industrialized area of Odisha provides the area with benefits of being closer to major Industrial Hub and Industrial Capital of Odisha. Simdega economy is dependent upon these Industrial Hubs in Odisha.

Recently, initiatives have been taken to increase tourism in the area mainly cultural tourism and ecological tourism.

Iron, minerals and diamond exploration

Geological Survey of India (GSI) has undertaken exploration of Diamonds in Sankh River bed in Simdega. GSI has identified Simdega to have huge Diamond Deposits in Jharkhand .De Beers and Jindal Group have identified Simdega for Diamond exploration and mining in Jharkhand.^{[15][16][17][18]} Mittal Steel Company had earmarked the Koilebeira area, some 25 km from Simdega, to establish Steel Plant in Jharkhand^[19][20]

Transport

Simdega is located at the intersection of Jharkhand-Odisha-Chattisgarh and has huge potential to establish itself as a logistics hub. It serves also as transit point for Logistics and Motorists travelling to Rourkela.

The city has a Bus Terminal where major routes buses ply from the city to cities in neighbouring states. Ranchi and Simdega are well connected by regular and deluxe buses which ply every hour.

By road

Passenger buses and Non Stop buses run regularly from Ranchi, Gumla, Lohardaga, Sasaram and Rourkela(Orrisa).

1. Simdega to Ranchi - 140 km
2. Simdega to Rourkela (Odisha) - 64 km.
3. Simdega to Gumla - 77 km.
4. Simdega to Gaya (Bihar)- 320 km
5. Simdega to Sambalpur ( Odisha)- 158 Km

By air

Presently the nearest airport are Ranchi and Bhuvneshwar. With Rourkela Airport commencing commercial flight it will be the nearest Airport.^[21]

By rail

• Rourkela railway station is the nearest railway station. It has been proposed that Simdega City should be connected with the Railway network of the Indian Railways.

Tourist places

Simdega has tremendous potential for development of tourism. Its scenic beauty, beautiful landscapes, greenery coupled with pleasant climate can attract both domestic as well as foreign tourists.

Kelaghagh dam

Kelaghagh dam is the most beautiful dam on Chhinda river in Simdega. The dam is surrounded by multiple hills which attracts tourists very much. There facility of boating through motor-boats and para-sailing. Kelaghagh dam also has a guest house for tourist accommodation.

Ram Rekha Dham

Ramrekha Dham is the most important tourist destination this area. It is situated at a picturesque place on top of a hill and every year there is a big fair during Kartik Purnima. It is said, that Lord Rama along with Sita and brother Laxman has visited this place and has left his mark (Foot prints)there. Some archaeological structures like agni kund, charan paduka, sita chulha, gupt ganga etc. shows that during Banwas period they followed this path.The Kaisalpur-Birugarh Royal family discovered and developed this place.

Dangadi

Dangadi is a lovely and wonderful scenically place. It is situated in block Bolba. A beautiful waterfall attracts the visitors. It is developed as picnic spot. It is 45 km from simdega and 25 km from Kersai.

Ketunga Dham

Ketunga Dham situated in Bano, Simdega is very important historical place. According to Archaeological survey of India(ASI) the place belonged to Buddha Period. At Ketunga Dham many statues of Buddha were found.Emperor Ashoka established these statues while returning to Pataliputra after the Kalinga War.

Rajadera

Rajadera is situated in Thethaitanger, Simdega. There exists beautiful waterfall on Chhinda river. It is known as a picturesque picnic spot.

Bhairo Baba Pahari

Bhairo Baba Pahari is a cave situated in Phulwatanger in Simdega. It attracts visitors as the Cave resembles a human being.

Bhanwar Pahar

Bhanwar Pahar is in Kolebira. It is known for the presence of Black bees . In ancient age these bees were used by the soldiers.Flowers of Gulaitchi on the small hill is nature's gift to villagers living in the small houses on the hill. A pond exists in between the stones on the hills and surprisingly it's full of water in all seasons.

Mazar of Anjan Peer Saheeb

The mazar of Anjaam Peer Saheeb is inside the premises of Kolebira police station. This is a great symbol of harmony, social policing and perhaps a single example of a mazar inside a Police Station. Yearly Urs fair is organised here, and people of all communities participate and pray for peace.

Bandurga

Bandurga is the holy place of Goddess of Shakti and situated in Bolba Block in Simdega . This place is also a renowned picnic spot.

Notable Individuals

1. Sylvanus Dung Dung, Former Hockey player and Olympic gold medallist, 1980 Moscow Olympics.
2. Michael Kindo, Former Hockey player and Olympic bronze medallist.
3. Asunta Lakra, Captain, India Women's Hockey Team.

References