Saidpur, Bangladesh
| Saidpur, Bangladesh | |
|---|---|
| City | |
  Saidpur, Bangladesh Location of Saidpur, Bangladesh | |
| Coordinates: 25°46′41″N 88°53′51″E / 25.77806°N 88.89750°E | |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Division | Rangpur Division |
| District | Nilphamari |
| Upazila | Saidpur |
| Incorporated | 1958 |
| Population | 204,000 (16th) |
| Time zone | BST (UTC+06:00) |
Saidpur (Syedpur) (bn:সৈয়দপুর Saiy.adpur) is a city of Nilphamari district in Rangpur Division of Bangladesh . The city becomes a very important communication hub for adjoining major district headquarters. Saidpur Airport is one of the domestic airports in Bangladesh. The Saidpur Railway Workshop, established in 1870, is the largest railway workshop in Bangladesh and was the major railway workshop for Assam-Bengal railway.[1] The city has historically been an Urdu-speaking community with close ties to Bihar, from which many residents originate, particularly the town of Munger. Since Bangladeshi independence, Urdu has declined as the Bihari community either integrated into Bangladeshi society, adopting Bengali, or fled to India or Pakistan.
History
The city of Saidpur was established around the Saidpur Railway Workshop established in 1870 by the British Colonial regime. Nothing is definitely known about the origin of the upazila name. It is learnt that in the long past there came a Sayed family from Koch Bihar of India and settled in this area and started preaching Islam. It is generally believed that the upazila might have derived its name Saidpur after the name as that Sayed family. Saidpur became Thana in 1915.
Civic administration
The city of Saidpur was incorporated in 1958.The city is divided into 15 wards and 43 mahallas. A city mayor is elected every 5 years.
Economy
The city is the commercial hub for the surrounding districts. The biggest Railway workshop of Bangladesh is here. The city never sleeps, it is also known as city of night. Business always runs here night and day. The city centre has a number of government and private banks, insurance companies, residential hotels, Chinese and Indian restaurants, fast food, sweet shops, gift shop and many more. It is an important economic zone in Bangladesh. Recently local businessmen have invested in the ready-made garments sector, and they have succeeded in capturing a good market position in India, Nepal, Bhutan. By the help and initiative taken by SME foundation these garments are now exporting there goods in Europe, USA etc. There are some medium and heavy industries growing here specially of Agricultural Industry, Crockery, Organic Fertilizer, Oil form recycled tire, light metal industry etc. There are also some good markets, shopping malls here. Communication is so good here to run a business.The pottery is also very beautiful and unique. It has captured a good market nationally and internationally. There are 24 private and government banks in Saidpur - most of them have online banking facilities. There are huge number of ATM booths in the city and near it to facilitate online transaction 24/7.
Culture
The city has officers' club and two other clubs and institutes where cities various drama, musical takes place. There also a cultural club 120 years old called Silpo Sahitto Shongshod.Every year people celebrate Eid-ul-fitr, Eid-ul-azha, Bengali New Year Pohela Baishak, English new year etc. with enthusiasm and festive environment. Night life in this city is very festive, the city markets hardly sleeps at night.
Education
The city is famous for its educational institutions.Saidpur College, Saidpur Government Technical School and College, Saidpur Cantonment Public School and College, Lions school and college, Saidpur, Sunflower School and College, Saidpur Pilot High School, Cantonment Board High School are the seven renowned Schools and Colleges in northern Bangladesh. Besides them there are 9 more colleges and more than 50 secondary and primary schools in the city. The city has three colleges which offer various bachelor and honors degree courses under Bangladesh National University. In recent, four or five schools as well as colleges become top on the merit in the Dinajpur board.[1] It has one of the major university co-ordinated by Bangladesh Army Bangladesh Army University of Science and Technology(BAUST). It offers major engineering courses in EEE, CSE,ME,IPE and BBA. Source University website www.baust.edu.bd
Transport
The city is well connected to the major cities of the country by Rail, Bus and Airplane. Saidpur Airport is the only airport in north Bengal.The services of Biman Bangladesh, United Airways and US-Bangla Airlines is available on Saidpur Airport .There are many intercity train services from Saidpur to capital city and Rajshahi and Khulna division every day. The Neel Shagor Express enhanced the train transportation. There are more than 300 buses for Saidpur to Dhaka or Chittagong or other big cities.It is a very important commercial city of Bangladesh.[1]
Sports
There are four big sports stadium and play grounds are available to meet the cities sports loving people. Many divisional and district level cricket, football, festival sports take places during the year.
References
External links
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Saidpur travel guide from Wikivoyage
Coordinates: 25°47′N 88°54′E / 25.783°N 88.900°E