Haldwani

Haldwani , Nainital
हल्द्वानी
ਹਲਦ੍ਵਾਨੀ
city
Nickname(s): Green City
Haldwani , Nainital

Location in Uttarakhand, India

Coordinates: 29°13′N 79°31′E / 29.22°N 79.52°E / 29.22; 79.52Coordinates: 29°13′N 79°31′E / 29.22°N 79.52°E / 29.22; 79.52
Country  India
State Uttarakhand
District Nainital
Named for Haldu(Kadamb)
Elevation 424 m (1,391 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 295,169
Languages
 • Official Hindi
 • Widely Spoken Kumauni and Punjabi.
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 263139

Haldwani (हल्द्वानी in Hindi, ਹਲਦ੍ਵਾਨੀ in Punjabi) is a city, which along with its twin township of Kathgodam forms the Haldwani-Kathgodam municipal Corporation (since May 2011) in Nainital District in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.

Haldwani is the third most populous city in Uttarakhand (after Dehradun & Haridwar), and is known as the "Gateway of Kumaon". In Kumaoni, the local dialect, the place is called "Halduvani", literally "forest of Haldu", after the tree named "Haldu", often referred to as "Kadamb" (Haldina cordifolia), which was found in abundance prior to deforestation for agriculture and settlement.

In 1816, after the British defeated Gorkhas, Gardner was appointed the Commissioner of Kumaon. Later George William Trail took over as Commissioner and renamed Halduvani as Haldwani in 1834.[1] Though British records suggest that the place was established in 1834, as a mart for hill people who visited the Bhabhar (Himalayan foothills) region, during the cold season.[2]

History

Kathgodam as a part of the United Province, 1903

Mughal historians mention that in the 14th century, a local ruler, Gyan Chand of Chand Dynasty, visited Delhi Sultanate and received the regions of Bhabhar- Terai up to the Ganges as a grant from then Sultan. Later, the Mughals tried to take over the hills, but their attempts received a setback due to the difficult terrain.[3]

In 1856, Sir Henry Ramsay took over as the Commissioner of Kumaon. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, it was briefly seized by the rebels of Rohilkhand, soon martial law was declared in the region by Sir Henry Ramsay, and by 1858, the region was cleared of the rebels.[3]

Later, Ramsay connected Nainital with Kathgodam by road in 1882. In 1883–84, the railway track was laid between Bareilly and Kathgodam. The first train arrived at Haldwani from Lucknow on 24 April 1884.[4] Later, the railway line was extended to Kathgodam.

In 1901, with a population of 6,624, Haldwani was the headquarters of the Bhabhar region of Nainital District, in the United Province, and it also used to become the winter headquarters of the officers of the Kumaun Division and of Nainital District.[2] The Arya Samaj Bhavan was built in 1901 and Sanatan Dharm Sabha in 1902. The Tehsil office was opened here in 1899, when it became the tehsil headquarters of the Bhabhar, one of four division of Nainital district,[3] and included 4 towns and 511 villages; and had a combined population of 93,445 (1901), spread over 1,279 sq. miles.[5] Though before the formation of Nainital district in 1891, it was part of the Kumaon District, which was later called Almora district.[6]

In 1904, it was constituted as a 'notified area'[2] and in 1907 Haldwani got the status of town area.[7]

Gora Padao, 4 km south of Haldwani was named after a British camp/post at that location in the mid-19th century, Gora being a slang for the British.

Haldwani-Kathgodam Municipal Council was established on 21 September 1942. Currently it is the third largest Municipal Council in the state of Uttarakhand after Dehradun and Haridwar.

Geography

Haldwani is located at 29°13′N 79°31′E / 29.22°N 79.52°E / 29.22; 79.52.[8] It has an average elevation of 424 metres (1,391 feet). Geologically, Haldwani is settled on a piedmont grade (called Bhabhar) where the mountain rivers go underground to re-emerge in the Indo-Gangetic plain. It has historically been a trading post and then a hub between the hilly regions of Kumaon and the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

Demographics

As per provisional data of 2011 census Haldwani-cum-Kathgodam urban agglomeration had a population of 295,169, out of which males were 159,392 and females were 135,778. The literacy rate was 78.17%

bar box

Religions in Haldwani
Religion Percent
Hindus
  
 80%
Muslims
  
 10%
Sikh
  
 7%
Jains
  
 0.7%
Others†
  
 2.3%

Medical hospital

Government Medical hospital, Haldwani was established in 1997. The college came into existence in 2002 and is affiliated with Kumaun University and residential & co-educational medical colleges.

Overview

Eight kilometres north of Haldwani at Ranibagh is Chitrashila Ghat, the venerable Hindu cremation ground. A fair called Uttarayani (also called Ghughutiya in Kumaoni) is held here on Makar Sankranti (on 14–15 January) every year. To the south of Haldwani lies Pantnagar famous for its Pantnagar University. The Gaula river runs to the east, and to the west is the fertile agricultural region of Lamachaur and Kaladhungi merging into the world-renowned Corbett National Park.

Long in the shadow of its famous hill cousins, the Haldwani area has a lot to offer by the way of quaint villages, rolling deciduous forests and open spaces outside the urban sprawl.

Famous Personalities like Govind Ballabh Pant (First Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh & fourth Union Home Minister of India), Narayan Dutt Tewari, Banshi Dhar Bhagat, Dr Indira Hridayesh, Satyajit Das etc. have been associated with Haldwani.

Haldwani (Nainital) today houses people of nearly all religions who have migrated and settled down in town in addition to the Kumaonis and Garhwalis. This confluence of cultures is as evident in the architecture of the town as in the culture, occasions for celebration, attire and cuisine. Hindi is the primary languages spoken in Haldwani, while Kumaoni language is largely spoken among the local ethnic Kumaoni people. Also Punjabi is spoken by the large Sikh community settled in the town. http://www.geohive.com/cntry/in-05.aspx The people of various religions and faith lives in peace and harmony. Almost all the festivals are celebrated with equal zeal and enthusiasm. The city is well decorated at the time of big festivals like Diwali, Holi, Guru Nanak Diwas and Christmas, also this is the time when the market is full of lucrative offers and people don't mind getting little over budget. The temples, the gurudwaras, the churches and the mosques, are beautifully decorated at the time of respective major festivals. The administration is always on alert and also play an important role in maintaining the decorum and keeping aside anti-social elements that tries to disturb the harmony of the place. The city has 108 emergency service and various private Hi-Tech Medical Research Centers and Hospitals that provide good trauma and emergency facilities.

Culture and lifestyle

The region is dominated by both Kumaoni people and migrant people from western Uttar Pradesh or who are now the native of terai-bhabhar region of Uttarakhand but still it is home to a significant percentage of people belonging to other religions and regions. One can find variety in all aspects from dishes to clothings and from dialect to architecture. Rock and popular English music is finding a good market in the rapidly expanding music market along with traditional Pahari music of the Kumaon Hills and local Desi Folk songs. Punjabi Music is also very popular and this region of Uttarakhand also have a large number of Punjabis living here. Drinking is not considered a taboo, given that the person doesn't drink in noon time, and is busy with his own job. A small town nearly 2 decades ago, is now rising as a regional hub trading in modern amenities and better infrastructure (roads, shopping centres and hospitals) due to rapid urbanization. Haldwani is said to be a "Great city shadowed by Nainital". Haldwani at all geo-political bases is always above Nainital town which is the district centre. The Government policy of "Polishing" Nainital and doing nothing for the ever big Haldwani city, has left the citizens of Haldwani demanding Haldwani as a new district headquarters in place of Nainital, or creating a new district called Haldwani consisting the Bhabhar area of Kumaon excluding the hilly Nainital. Many uprisings were led by the local public since independence with the demand for the creation of a new district.

Since the creation of Udham Singh Nagar district in 1995 with headquarter at Rudrapur, only 28 km. away from Haldwani there seems no demand of Haldwani district. Now Tarai area is excluded from Nainital district leaving only bhabhar and hills.

Education

Uttarakhand Open University

The University was established by an Act Of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly on 31 October 2005[9] with a view to democratise education, so that it covers large segments of population, vocations and professions. Uttarakhand Open University is the only Open University in Uttarakhand. The total number of students in 2009 was hardly 700, but today the total enrolment has crossed 20,000 students. The construction work at its new campus is in full swing and the staff will shift there in June. At present there are more than 140 courses. The prominent among them are Journalism and Mass Communication, Hotel Management, Tourism Management, Business Management, Education, Jyotish, karmakand and other traditional courses.

Prof. Subhash Dhuliya is the present Vice Chancellor of Uttarakhand Open University.

Government Medical College & Dr Susheela Tiwari Govt Hospital

Swami Rama Cancer Hospital and Research Institute is an affiliated institute which was envisioned to provide state-of-the-art treatment to cancer patients of Uttarakhand. Dr. Abhishek Singh, radiation and clinical oncologist at the institute feels need of efforts for cancer awareness in school children and general public of Kumaun region as well as Uttarakhand. The Medical college is now undertaken by government in 2009. So it is now Government Medical College, Haldwani with the hospital now named Sushila Tiwari Government Hospital.

List of schools which provide Higher Secondary education
1. Beersheba Senior Secondary School(Best)
2. DAV Centenary Public School
3. St. Theresa Sr. Sec. School
4. St. Pauls Sr. Sec. School
5. Queen's Senior Secondary School
6. New Montessori School
7. Aryaman Vikram Birla Institute Of Learning
8. Universal Convent Sr. Sec. School
9. Maharishi Vidya Mandir Public School
10. Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Public school
11. Aurum The Global School
12. The Heritage School
13. Bhartiya Bal Vidya Mandir
14. GGIC and Khalsa college for girls
15. ABM Public Sr. Sec. School
16. Sacred Hearts Public School
17. Mahatma Gandhi School
18. M.B. inter college for boys
19. Inspiration Public School
20. H.N. Inter College
21. S.K.M School
22. JANLAX Coaching
23. Kendriya Vidyalaya Haldwani, Cantt
24. Scholars Academic Home
25. Holy Angel's Convent Public School
26. K.V.M Public School
27. Gurukul International School
28. Cynthia Senior Secondary School
29. Naini Valley School
30. Benson Public School
31. Lalit Arya Mahila Inter College
32. Dikshant International School
33. G.I.C. Kathagharia for High-school and Secondary Education
34. Disha Computer Institute www.dishacomputer.org
35. Nirmala Convent Sr. Sec. School
36. Har Govind Suyal Vidya Mandir
37. The H.D. Foundation School
38. Mariyam Institute for Higher Studies
39. Savitri Shiksha Sansthan P S School
40. Krishna IAS Academy, Durga city center, Haldwani

Some noted schools for small children are Parvatiya Shishu Niketan, Pratibha Vikas School, Dikshant International School and Tikku Modern, Kids Zee

Haldwani has many schools, and actually there are different educational houses which are providing education to the local children.

Economy

Well connected with the Indo-Gangetic plain by road (to New Delhi, Dehradun and Lucknow) and rail (New Delhi, DehraDun, Lucknow and Kolkata), Haldwani is an important commercial hub. It is home to one of the largest vegetable, fruit and foodgrain markets in Kumaon. Being the gateway to most of Kumaon and parts of Garhwal, it is an important revenue center of Uttarakhand based on its advantageous location as a base depot for goods in transit to the hills. The Gaula river is exploited for a large quantity of boulders, sand and gravels every year, and forms an important revenue source for both the government and local business.

Cuisine

Some local delicacies are:

Local people here have a great taste for food, the place is famous for a wide variety of sweets and various multinational cuisines specially Tibetan and Chinese. Also there are many restaurants that serve range of various Indian cuisines. One can easily find the famous Indian snacks on road side stalls and restaurants anywhere round the corner of the city, which are also the main points for youth and families to gathers for food and fun.

Connectivity

Haldwani is well connected to the country's capital Delhi via road and rail. Regular buses are available from Delhi which takes around 6–7 Hrs to reach Haldwani. Some luxury buses including Volvo are also available but they have fix timing. All the buses leave from the Haldwani Bus Station for Delhi's Anand Vihar ISBT. Railway is another mode of transportation available for travelling between Haldwani and Delhi. Haldwani & Kathgodam are two railway stations. Ranikhet Express (10:45 pm from Old Delhi-Daily), Sampark Kranti (4:00 pm from Old Delhi-Daily) & Anand-Vihar-Kathgodam Shatabdi Express (6:00 am from Anand Vihar Terminal-All days except Thursday) are some other trains available. There are other seasonal trains too. The nearest airport is Pantnagar airport . The national highways to Rampur and Haridwar have since widened and strengthened, so the road-route is now comfortable. A new I.S.B.T is to come up in Golapar area.

The connectivity to state capital Dehradun is also good. There are a number of buses for Dehradun-Haldwani route. Railway is planning shorter rail-track via Ramnagar-Kotdwar-Haridwar instead of via Rampur-Moradabad.

Trains from Haldwani

All trains start from Kathgodam Railway Station which is a terminal of North Eastern Railway's Izzatnagar Division and then reach Haldwani Railway Station and proceed towards Lalkuan Junction Railway Station the trains currently running from here are[10]

Ranikhet Express

It runs from Kathgodam to Jaisalmer connecting Bhagat ki Kothi in Jodhpur, Rajasthan via Delhi, Jaipur and Ajmer

Kathgodam Dehradun Link Express

It Connects Haldwani with state capital Dehradun via Lalkuan, Rampur, Moradabad, Najibabad and Haridwar

Bagh Express

From Kathgodam to Kolkata Howrah Junction via Bareilly, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Hajipur and Asansol

Uttarakhand Sampark Kranti

From Kathgodam to Delhi Junction

Kathgodam Anand Vihar Shatabdi Express

From Kathgodam to [New Delhi Station] @ 3:30 pm Everyday except Thursday.

Kathgodam Jammu Garib Rath

From Kathgodam to Jammu Tawi in Jammu which runs once in a week. every Tuesday

Kathgodam Kanpur Garib Rath

From Kathgodam to Kanpur Central

Kathgodam Moradabad Passenger

Kathgodam to Moradabad via Lalkuan, Kashipur

One can reach Agra to Haldwani by road via Aligarh Moradabad Rampur.It is about 330 km through this route.

Plans

Massive development plans for the city are on final Stage, owing to its importance in the state there are various other project in pipeline.This include building of additional infrastructure like International stadium, flyover, bus terminus, Asia's biggest Zoo and industrial complex.Greater Haldwani is carved out in Golapar region of Haldwani which will be future Smart Sub city alike Dwarka in Delhi. Haldwani is said to be a fast-growing educational hub of Uttarakhand. Many new institutions are open in lower Haldwani areas. Since, the success of 108 mobile medical van services across the province, the Govt. is planning to expand this service in a better way for the more populated Haldwani city. Haldwani's forests which bear the best timber (cite?) anywhere in India and South Asia, are for now in a motion of significant demand because of their best quality.Government is also planning to keep the forestry as green as it was. An International Sports Stadium is under construction at Haldwani which is brainchild of current MLA And Finance Minister of Uttrakhand,Dr Mrs Indira Hridayesh.Stadium will host National Games and various sporting event.ISBT and International Zoo are also multi crore infrastructure projects that are underway and due for completion by 2017.According to market experts Haldwani is future city of Uttarakhand which has high business potential due to Friendly business atmosphere and safety provided to Entrepreneurs and Businessmans.One Can also have Aerial view of Nearby tourist destination Nanital by chopper services available from Golapar(Greater Haldwani) Stadium.

See also

References

  1. ↑ History Official website.
  2. 1 2 3 Halwani The Imperial Gazetteer of India 1909, v. 13, p. 10.
  3. 1 2 3 History of Nainital District The Imperial Gazetteer of India 1909, v. 18, p. 324-325.
  4. ↑ Haldwani www.uttaranchalonline.info.
  5. ↑ Nainital District The Imperial Gazetteer of India 1909, v. 18, p. 326.
  6. ↑ 1891 The Imperial Gazetteer of India 1909, v. 18, p. 330.
  7. ↑ History
  8. ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Haldwani
  9. ↑ Act 23 of 2005 of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly
  10. ↑

External links

Chandan Diagnsotic Haldwani Nainital Road Haldwani

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