Chandigarh

Hindi: ) is a union territory of India that serves as the

Chandigarh (Punjabi

capital of two states, Haryana and Punjab. The name Chandigarh translates as "The Fort of Chandi". The name is from an ancient temple called Chandi Mandir, devoted to the Hindu goddess Chandi, in the city.[3] It is occasionally referred to as The City Beautiful. As the first planned city of India, Chandigarh is known internationally for its architecture and urban planning.[4] Chandigarh is home to numerous architectural projects of Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Matthew Nowicki, and Albert Mayer. The city tops the list of Indian States and Union Territories with the highest per capita income in the country at Rs.99,262 at current prices and Rs.70,361 at constant prices (20062007).[5] As per a study conducted by Ministry of Urban Development, Chandigarh has emerged as the cleanest city in India,[6] while also topping the List of Indian states and territories by Human Development Index.[7]

Contents
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1 History 2 Geography and climate o 2.1 Average temperature 3 Environment 4 Architecture and urban planning 5 Chandigarh administration 6 Demographics 7 Economy 8 Education 9 Transport 10 Sporting venues and gardens 11 See also 12 References 13 Further reading 14 External links

[edit] History
After the partition of British India into India and Pakistan in 1947, the former British province of Punjab was also split between India and Pakistan. The Indian state of Punjab required a new capital city to replace Lahore, which became part of Pakistan during the partition.[8] After several

plans to make additions to existing cities were found to be unfeasible for various reasons, the decision to construct a new and planned city was undertaken. Of all the new town schemes in independent India, the Chandigarh project quickly assumed prime significance, because of the city's strategic location as well as the personal interest of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India. Commissioned by Nehru to reflect the new nation's modern, progressive outlook, Chandigarh was designed by the French (born Swiss) architect and urban planner, Le Corbusier, in the 1950s. Le Corbusier was in fact the second architect of the city, after the initial master plan was prepared by the American architect-planner Albert Mayer who was working with the Polish-born architect Matthew Nowicki.[citation needed] On 1 November 1966, the newly-formed Indian state of Haryana was carved out of the eastern portion of the Punjab, in order to create Haryana as a majority Hindi-speaking state (with a Hindu majority), while the western portion of Punjab retained a mostly Punjabi languagespeaking majority (with a Sikh majority) and remained as the current day federated state of Punjab. However, the city of Chandigarh was on the border, and was thus created into a union territory to serve as capital of both these states.[9]

[edit] Geography and climate

Sukhna Lake Chandigarh is located near the foothills of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas in northwest India. It covers an area of approximately 44.5 sq mi or 114 km. and shares its borders with the states of Haryana in the east and Punjab in the north, west and south. The exact cartographic coordinates of Chandigarh are 3044N 7647E / 30.74N 76.79E.[10] It has an average elevation of 321 metres (1053 ft). Chandigarh
J
33

Climate chart (explanation) F M A M J J A S O N D

39 30 9 28 145 280 308 133 22 9 22

20 23 6 8

28 35 13 19

38 23

39 25

34 24

33 23

33 32 27 22 22 17 11 7

Average max. and min. temperatures in C Precipitation totals in mm Source: World Weather Information Service [show]Imperial conversion

The surrounding districts are of Mohali, Patiala and Roopnagar in Punjab and Panchkula and Ambala in Haryana. The boundary of the state of Himachal Pradesh is also minutes away from its north border. Chandigarh has a humid subtropical climate characterized by a seasonal rhythm: very hot summers, mild winters, unreliable rainfall and great variation in temperature (-1 C to 41.2 C). In winter, pieces of snow sometimes occurs during December and January. The average annual rainfall is 1110.7 mm. The city also receives occasional winter rains from the west.

[edit] Average temperature

Spring: The climate remains quite pleasant during the spring season (from mid-February to mid-March and then from mid-September to mid-October). Temperatures vary between (max) 16 C to 25 C and (min) 9 C to 18 C. Autumn: In autumn (from Mid-March to April), the temperature may rise to a maximum of 36 C. Temperatures usually remain between 16 to 27 in autumn. The minimum temperature is around 11 C. Summer: The temperature in summer (from Mid-May to Mid-June) may rise to a maximum of 45 C (rarely). Temperatures generally remain between 35 C to 40 C (94 101F). Monsoon: During monsoon(from mid-June to mid-September), Chandigarh receives moderate to heavy rainfall and sometimes heavy to very heavy rainfall (generally during the month of August or September). Usually, the rain bearing monsoon winds blow from south-west/ south-east. Mostly, the city receives heavy rain from south (which is mainly a persistent rain) but it generally receives most of its rain during monsoon either from North-west or North-east. Maximum amount of rain received by the city of Chandigrah during monsoon season is 195.5 mm in a single day. Winter: Winters (November to Mid-March) are mild but it can sometimes get quite chilly in Chandigarh. Average temperatures in the winter remain at (max) 7 C to 15 C and (min) 5C to 8 C. Rain usually comes from the west during winters and it is usually a persistent rain for 23 days with sometimes hail-storms.

[edit] Environment

Sambar in a forest Most of Chandigarh is covered by dense Banyan and Eucalyptus plantations. Asoka, Cassia, Mulberry and other trees flourish in the forested ecosystem.The city has forests surrounding it which sustain many animal and plant species. Deers, Sambars, Barking Deers, Parrots, Woodpeckers and Peacocks inhabit the protected forests. Sukhna Lake hosts a variety of ducks and geese, and attracts migratory birds from parts of Siberia and Japan in the winter season. A parrot sanctuary located in the city is home to a variety of bird species.

[edit] Architecture and urban planning

Chandigarh Secretariat Building Taking over from Albert Mayer, Le Corbusier produced a plan for Chandigarh that conformed to the modern city planning principles of Congrs International d'Architecture Moderne CIAM, in terms of division of urban functions, an anthropomorphic plan form, and a hierarchy of road and pedestrian networks. This vision of Chandigarh, contained in the innumerable conceptual maps on the drawing board together with notes and sketches had to be translated into brick and mortar. Le Corbusier retained many of the seminal ideas of Mayer and Nowicki, like the basic framework of the master plan and its components: The Capitol, City Center, besides the University, Industrial area, and linear parkland. Even the neighborhood unit was retained as the basic module of planning. However, the curving outline of Mayer and Nowicki was reorganized into a mesh of rectangles, and the buildings were characterized by an "honesty of materials". Exposed brick and boulder stone masonry in its rough form produced unfinished concrete surfaces, in geometrical structures. This became the architectural form characteristic of Chandigarh, set amidst landscaped gardens and parks.

The Open Hand Monument Chandigarh Museum and Art gallery have a separate section dedicated to the architecture of Chandigarh.

[edit] Chandigarh administration

See also: Chandigarh administration

Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh Chandigarh Administration is under the control of the Administrator who is appointed under the provisions of Art 239 of the Constitution. The administrative control of Chandigarh is under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Adviser to the Administrator, a very senior officer equivalent to the Chief Secretary of a state, belonging to one of the All India Services, is second in command after the Administrator. S/He generally belongs to the AGMU cadre of the Indian Administrative Service.

The Deputy Commissioner, an officer belonging to the Indian Administrative Service, is the in-charge of the General Administration in the Chandigarh UT. The Senior Superintendent of Police, an officer belonging to the Indian Police Service, is responsible for maintaining Law & Order and related issues in the Chandigarh UT.

The Deputy Conservator of Forests, an officer belonging to the Indian Forest Service, is responsible for the management of the Forests, Environment, Wild-Life and Pollution Control in the Chandigarh UT.

The above three officers are generally from AGMU cadre and can also be from Punjab or Haryana cadres of the All India Services.

[edit] Demographics
[show]Chandigarh Population
Religion in Chandigarh
Religion Percent

Hinduism Sikhism Islam Others Distribution of religions

78.6% 16.1% 3.9% 1.4%

As of 2001 India census,[12] Chandigarh had a population of 900,635, making for a density of about 7900 persons per square kilometre. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. The sex ratio is 777 females for every 1,000 maleswhich is the lowest in the country. Chandigarh has an average literacy rate of 81.9%, higher than the national average of 64.8%; with male literacy of 86.1% and female literacy of 76.5%. About 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. The main religions in Chandigarh are Hinduism: 78.6%, Sikhism: 16.1%, Islam: 3.9%, and Christianity: 0.8%.[13] Hindi and Punjabi and are the main languages spoken in Chandigarh, English is also quite popular.

[edit] Economy

A Shopping mall in the city. The government is a major employer in Chandigarh with three governments having their base here. A significant percentage of Chandigarhs population therefore consists of people who are

either working for one of these governments or have retired from government service. For this reason, Chandigarh is often called a Pensioner's Paradise. There are about 15 medium to large industrial including two in the Public sector. In addition Chandigarh has over 2500 units are registered under small scale sector. The important industries are paper manufacturing, basic metals and alloys and machinery. Other industries are relating to food products, sanitary ware, auto parts, machine tools, pharmaceuticals and electrical appliances. Yet, with a per capita income of 99,262, Chandigarh is the richest city in india.[14] Chandigarh's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $2.2 billion in current prices. Chandigarh has a well-developed market and banking infrastructure. Nearly all the major banks in the country have registered their presence in Chandigarh. Most banks with a pan India presence have their zonal/regional offices present in Chandigarh. The Bank Square in Sector 17 in Chandigarh has a large presence of such offices all in one section of the commercial sector.[citation needed] Three major trade promotion organizations have their offices in Chandigarh. These are: Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry, (FICCI) the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) which has its regional headquarters at Sector 31, Chandigarh. The defence forces have a significant presence in Chandigarh, apart from the Indian Airforce base in Sector 31 and the nearby Cantonment in Chandimandir, the city is the base for sourcing supplies for the Leh - Laddakh and Siachen region of defence operations.[citation needed] Chandigarh IT Park (also known as Chandigarh Technology Park) is the city's attempt to break into the IT world. Chandigarh's infrastructure, proximity to Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, and the IT talent pool attracts IT businesses looking for office space in the area. Major Indian firms and multinational corporations to the like of Quark, Infosys, Dell, IBM, TechMahindra have set up base in the city and its suburbs. According to a recent Global Services Survey conducted by Cyber Media, Chandigarh is ranked 9th in the top 50 cities identified globally as emerging outsourcing and IT services destinations.[15]

[edit] Education
See also: List of educational institutions in Chandigarh

Gandhi Bhavan built by Pierre Jeanneret for Punjab University

The schools of Chandigarh are affiliated to various curriculum bodies,[citation needed] and include model schools established by the government.[clarification needed][citation needed] There are also colleges such as Punjab Engineering College and Govt. College of Art and Craft, as well as a Government Teacher Training College. Additionally, Panjab University is based at Chandigarh.

[edit] Transport

"Green Bus" introduced by the CTU runs throughout Chandigarh Chandigarh has the largest number of vehicles per capita in India.[16] Wide, well maintained roads and ample parking space all over the city, make it convenient to use private vehicles for local transport. Chandigarh is well connected by road by NH 22 (Ambala - Kalka - Shimla - Kinnaur) and NH 21 (Chandigarh - Leh). Chandigarh has a railway station and an International Airport. Metro Rail project is underway for the region. Recently, due to reduce cost, it is planned to partially replace metro projects by tram & monorail,

[edit] Sporting venues and gardens

The popular Sector-42 Hockey Stadium

Chandigarh is home to numerous inter state sporting teams in tournaments like PHL and IPL. The city has built upon this achievements a network of sound infrastructure ranging from stadium to training camps. This include the entire gamut from cricket stadiums, swimming pools, shooting ranges to skating rinks and hockey stadiums. There are numerous display gardens across the city, including the Rock Garden that is built from mostly from waste material and the Rose Garden. Other gardens include Garden of Annuals, Fragrance Garden, Hibiscus Garden, Chrysanthemum Garden, Botanical Garden and Shanti Kunj.

[edit]

Karnal

Karnal pronunciation (helpinfo) (Hindi: ) is an important city and the headquarters of Karnal District in the Indian state of Haryana. Karnal is said to have been founded by the Kauravas in the Mahabharata era for the king Karna, a mythological hero and a key figure in the epic tale. It is midway between Delhi and Chandigarh, being 123 km (76 mi) north of Delhi and 126 km (78 mi) south of Chandigarh, on the National Highway NH-1, which is famous as the Grand Trunk Road. Delhi and Chandigarh can be reached from Karnal within 2 hours using the very high frequency bus service provided by the Haryana Roadways. Karnal is famous for lush green pastures, Liberty Shoes, the production of high-quality basmati rice and for its many agricultural and dairy research institutions. Liberty shoes was started from Karnal and has its largest manufacturing facility in the city. Karnal is also famous for manufacture of agricultural implements and its spares as more than 40% of country agricultural implements and spares are manufactured here.One of the bigger units involved in the manufacture of spares is Karnal Agricultural Industries Ltd. having largest manufacturing base in the country.

Contents
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1 Geography 2 History 3 Interesting facts 4 Demographics 5 Agricultural research

6 Notable people o 6.1 Dr. Kalpana Chawla o 6.2 I.D. Swami 7 Madhuban Police Training College 8 Education o 8.1 Schools o 8.2 Colleges 9 FM stations in Karnal 10 Cinema Halls cum multiplexes in Karnal 11 Hotels in Karnal 12 See also 13 References 14 External links

[edit] Geography
Karnal is located at 2941N 7659E / 29.68N 76.98E.[1] It has an elevation of 235 to 252 metres (748 feet). Karnal is known for its lush greenery. It is roughly equidistant from New Delhi and Chandigarh and lies on the G.T. road and on the Delhi - Ambala railway line. The Karnal Distt. is surrounded by Kurukshetra District on its north-west, jind & Kaithal Distt. on its west, Panipat Distt. on its south and Utter Pradesh on east. Yamuna River forms eastern boundary of the district and flows from north to south. The district is a part of the Ganga-Sindus (Indo-Gangestic) plains and has a well spread net work of western Yamuna canal. Its geographical area has been divided in to three agroclimatic regions, Khadar, Bhangar and Nardak belt. Khadar starts from Indri-Karnal road one mile away from Karnal covering the area in between Yamuna river and National Highway Road No.1 up to Patti-Kalyana village. Bhangar area starts from west of Khadar area covering Gharaunda, development block. The nardak area lies in Nissing, Nilokheri and Assandh development block. However, its water is saline and not fit for irrigation. The city is divided into several sectors, colonies and mohallas. Due to its strategic location, several big-brand builders like Sahara, Narsi Village, Palm Residency, Alpha City and Ansal Royale have built new luxury apartments and villas in the city.

[edit] History
The city of Karnal is said to have been founded by Raja Karna, a central character in the Mahabharata war. The original name is Karnalaya (home of Karna). This is the same Karna, who was the eldest son of Kunti and thus Karnal is called the city of Daanvir Karna. It has been a walled town as far as its history can be traced and it had a citadel at one time. Karnal sprang into prominence in 1739 when Persian emperor Nadir Shah defeated and captured the Mughal ruler Muhammad Shah in the Battle of Karnal. Raja Gopal Singh of Jind seized Karnal in 1763, and the Marathas established themselves at Karnal in 1785. Skirmishes followed between the Marathas and the Sikhs and in 1795, the Marathas finally wrested the city from Raja

Bhag Singh of Jind and made it over to the British-Irish military commander George Thomas, who took part in the fight. The British established a cantonment in 1811 but abandoned it after 30 years due to an outbreak of malaria. The fort which had been built by Raja Gajpat Singh of Jind, was taken over by the British and converted into a residence for Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Kabul. The fort was used as a jail, as quarters for native cavalry and as a poorhouse. In 1862, it was made over to the Education Department, when the district school was moved into it from the city.

[edit] Interesting facts

First Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan, was born on October 1, 1895 in Karnal. His family belonged to the Nausherwan Pathan clan. Liaquat Ali Khan was nabob of Kunjpura, presently a part of the Karnal district, Haryana. The 25th Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor did his schooling from Sainik School, Kunjpura, Karnal.[2] Late Dr. Kalpana Chawla, an Indian-American scientist and NASA astronaut, was born in a Punjabi Hindu family at Model Town, Karnal. She completed her schooling at Tagore Baal Niketan, Karnal.

[edit] Demographics
As of the 2001 India census,[3] Karnal had a population of 12,74,183. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. In Karnal, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. The primary language spoken here is Hindi, the national language. Other languages which may be heard here are Haryanvi, Punjabi. The predominant religion here is Hinduism (87%) with a sizable Sikh (13%) minority.

[edit] Agricultural research

Imperial Cattle Farm, 1927 Karnal is a major centre of agricultural and dairy research with the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Regional Station, Central Soil

and Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Directorate of Wheat Research (DWR), National Bureau of Animal Genetics Research (NBAGR), Regional Research Station of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University and Regional Station of Sugarcane Breeding Institute having major research facilities and centers in and around the town. Karnal Bunt, a major disease of wheat was first discovered in 1931 in IARI,[4] Regional Station Karnal and that is how it got that name. Now it is one of the premier center for producing and distribution of high quality seeds of various cereal crops (basmati rice and wheat) and vegetables.

[edit] Notable people

[edit] Dr. Kalpana Chawla
It was at the Karnal Flying Club that Kalpana Chawla, a native of the city, first became interested in flying. She did her schooling from Tagore Baal Niketan Sr. Sec. School, Karnal in 1976 and completed her Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 1982 from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh and Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from University of Texas in 1984. She completed her Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from University of Colorado in 1988. She was the first Indian origin woman to go on a voyage in space. She died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003.

[edit] I.D. Swami

I.D. Swami is a former Union Minister of the State for home in Third Vajpayee Ministry. He was elected to Lok Sabha from Karnal in Haryana. 'Shanti Devi one of the earliest educated among the women of karnal.Hailing from jatton mohalla and daughter of late Ch Singh ram.she completed her post graduation from Lahore.She was also elected as an MLA from karnal.She was known more for her modesty and simplicity and as founder of Manav Seva Sangh a famous center of philanthropy in the district of karnal.

[edit] Madhuban Police Training College

Madhuban has a Haryana police training complex and it is at a distance of 10 km (6 mi) from Karnal on the NH-1 in the direction of Delhi. It recruits students not only from Haryana but also from other Indian states and partner countries.[5] The Forensic Science Laboratory, Haryana is also located in Madhuban.[6] Madhuban has excellent sports facilities and has been declared a sports district. The annual police sports meets draw police personnel not only from the state but also from across

[edit] Education
Karnal is an excellent center of school education and it boasts of a number of good schools. The Himalaya Public School was the first 10+2 school in Karnal. Nishan Public School, St. Theresa's Convent Sr. Sec. School, D P S Karnal, Tagore Baal Niketan Sr. Sec. School , Kanhiya Public Shool , Prakash Public Sr. Sec.School. Guru Harkrishan Public School, Partap Public School and

Dyal Singh Public School among others are well established institutes. Meanwhile, NDRI also offers degrees in Agricultural & Dairy Research. A medical college in the name of Kalpna Chawla is under construction. The first engineering college of the city is Doon Valley Institute of Engineering and Technology.

[edit] Schools
s.b.s sr. sec. school [railway road] Pratap Public School (Sector 6) Pratap Public School S.D.Sr.Sec. School(bus stand) S.D.Adarsh Public School (Kunjpura Road) S.D.Model.Sr.Sec.School (railway road) Kanhiya Public School (Barota) Kendriya Vidyalaya Karnal (Mall Road) Nishan Public School Sainik School Kunjpura - Karnal Delhi public School Dyal Singh Pubilc School (Sector 7) Dyal Singh Public School Baba Ram Das Vidyapeeth RISING SUN PUBLIC SCHOOL,Madhuban PRKASH PUBLIC School St. Theresa's Convent School St. Kabir Public School Himalaya Public School Tagore Baal Niketan Sr. Secondary School

R S Senior Secondary Public School Adarsh Public Sr. Sec. School (Kunjpura Road) DAV Sr. Sec. School For Boys (Mall Road) D.A.V. Girls Sr. Sec. School (Near Karan Tal), Sadar Bazar, Karnal (formerly known as Dayanand Arya Girls Sr. Sec. School (Jhelum), Karnal) Maharishi Dayanand Public School Doon Public School OPS International Public School OPS Vidya Mandir School (Sector 13) Vidyotma Public School (Ramesh Nagar) Vivekananda Vidya Niketan, Kaithal Road, Assandh Guru Nanak Sr. Sec. Girl School (Link Road)

[edit] Colleges
Doon Valley Institute Of Engineering & Technology Green Wood Polytechnic (Ranwar) RP Inderaprastha Institute of Technology (RPIIT) (Madhuban) National Dairy Research Institute Gandhi College Of Pharmacy Arya Kanya Gurukul College of Education Mangalmay Institute of Engineering and Technology (Indri Road) Naraini Educational and Charitable Societys Group of Institutions (Chirao)

[edit] FM stations in Karnal

Currently, there are two main FM stations in Karnal, namely :

Radio Mantra(91.9 FM)

Radio Dhamaal(106.4 FM).

[edit] Cinema Halls cum multiplexes in Karnal

Fun Cinemas - Sector 12, Karnal Movietime Cinemas - Sector 12, Karnal Inder Palace Cinema Hall - Near Railway Station, Karnal

[edit] Hotels in Karnal

Hotel Noor Mahal (A Five Star Luxury Hotel)NoorMahal X-ing,NH-1,Sector 32, Karnal Hotel Jewels (A Four Star Hotel) - Jewel Chowk, Karnal Hotel Haveli, NH-1, Karnal Karna Lake Tourist Complex, NH-1, Karnal Savoy Greens ( Mcdonalds ) NH-1, Karnal New World, NH-1, Karnal