Barasat
—  suburb  —
Barasat Location of Barasat in West Bengal and India
Coordinates	22°43′N 88°29′E / 22.72°N 88.48°E / 22.72; 88.48Coordinates: 22°43′N 88°29′E / 22.72°N 88.48°E / 22.72; 88.48
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District(s)	North 24 Parganas
Municipality Chairman	Sunil Mukherjee[1]
MP	Kakali Ghosh Dastidar
MLA	Chiranjeet (Dipak) Chakrabarty
Parliamentary constituency	Barasat
Assembly constituency	Barasat
Population • Density	237,783 (2001[update]) • 2,223 /km2 (5,758 /sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 4 metres (13 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 700124 to 700126 • Telephone • +91 33 2542 • Vehicle • WB26
Website	north24parganas.nic.in/

Barasat (Bengali: বারাসাত Barasat) is a city in the outskirts of Kolkata, West Bengal India and is the district head quarter of the district North 24 Parganas. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority.^[2] The town is an important railway and roadway junction. Barasat is also the name of a sub-division centering the city.

As an urban setup in the vicinity of the Kolkata, the town is within the area of Greater Calcutta. Several significant roads like National Highway 34 (Krishnanagar Road leading towards North Bengal), Jessore road (road leading to Jessore in Bangladesh via Bongaon); road leading to Basirhat etc. cross through the town.

History[link]

During the period of Moghuls, Ram Sundar Mitra had got the Laminar at Barasat town. Sankar Chakrabrorty, a commander of Pratapaditya, The king of Jessore (at present in Bangladesh), came to Barasat in 1600, and established himself in Barasat town. In 1700 AD Hazarat Ekdil Shah, the Muslim saint, started residing at Kazipara, Barasat. He was known as a social reformer. His tomb, located in Kazipara, is a pilgrimage place of Muslim community. Pratapaditya had made his way to Kolkata from Jessore and Sirajudoulla had made his way to Kolkata from Murshidabad via Barasat, which are later on converted into two National Highways.

During the British Raj, Company officials from Calcutta made Barasat a weekend retreat location. They had made many garden house at various places within Barasat town. Warren Hastings had made his Villa in the heart of Barasat town. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the renowned Author, was the first Indian Deputy Magistrate of this town.

Indigo cultivation was a major business in and around the town. The indigo merchants were known for their inhuman treatment of the farmers. Titumir, a farmer, had declared revolution against indigo merchants in Barasat. Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, Pyari Charan Sarkar, Kalikrishna Mitra were known for undertaking several social reformative actions in Barasat, including development of education, along with women education and widow marriage. In the early nineteenth century, there was a college in Barasat for the cadets who arrived from Europe for the first time to India.^[3]

From 1834 to 1861, Barasat was the seat of a joint-magistrate, known as "Barasat District". In 1861, the joint magistracy was abolished, and the Barasat District became a sub-division of the Twenty-four Parganas district.^[3] At present it is the district headquarter of North 24 Parganas district.^[4]

The town has important historical contributions, including historical landmarks such as the first Nilkuthi (establishments of the initial English settlers who started the cultivation of indigo dye), the Bungalow of Lord Hastings, the Bungalows of Magistrates of 24 Parganas and the site of hanging of Maharaja Nandkumar.^{[citation needed]}

Geography[link]

Barasat is located in the Ganges Brahmaputra delta region in the district of North 24 parganas, West Bengal state in the eastern India. The Bangladesh border - at Petrapole is situated about 70/ 80 km from the city.

The average altitude is 11 metres. No notable river flows by the city. The nearest one is Ganges itself — about 15 km to the west. The city is in the Gangetic plain lacking any hills.

Barasat is 22 km from Sealdah Station on the Sealdah–Bangaon branch line. It is at one end of the Barasat-Basirhat-Hasnabad branch line of Eastern Railway.^[5]

Climate[link]

The climate is tropical — like the rest of the Gangetic West Bengal. The hallmark is the Monsoon — from early June to mid September. The weather remains dry during the winter (mid November to mid February) and humid during summer.

Temperature :43 °C in May(Max) and 14 °C in January(Min)

Relative Humidity: Between 55% in March & 98% in July

Rainfall: 1,579mm(Normal)^[6]

Economy[link]

An important trade centre for rice, legumes, sugarcane, potatoes, and coconuts, cotton weaving is the major industry in Barasat.

There are a major textile mill and a rubber factory (Banik Rubber Factory) near the town. However one can find many small industries in and around the town. The business of the city is mainly retailing, though there are dealers who supply mainly to the rest of the district. Various brand's showroom and company's outlets are there is the city. Barasat BaraBazar(বড় বাজার) is the main hub for retailer and wholesaler business man. Barasat Bazar is located between Barasat rail station and NH35.^{[citation needed]}

The major occupation of the residents is service.^{[citation needed]} The proximity to Kolkata helps residents commute daily to Kolkata.

Administration[link]

Barasat Municipality[link]

Barasat Municipality was born on 1 April 1869 but up to 1882 it had not any independent existence like other offices it was controlled by Magistrate Office, during that time there was no Chairman of the municipality, Magistrate was the Controller of municipality. Later on alter 1882 Barasat Municipality had got its own formation as an autonomous body and became local government. Barasat Association, a citizens organization, had help Barasat Municipality by donating land for the construction of municipal building.
Total Barasat municipal area divided into 29 nos. of Mouzas. Previously, there were 4 nos. of Wards and after that 18 nos. of Wards under Barasat Municipality. Later on after amalgamating surrounding Panchayets within Barasat Municipality in 1995 and then after, at present Barasat Municipality has 30 nos. of Wards.^[4]

Barasat District Court[link]

District Court handle all kind of local and national cases.

Zilla Parishad[link]

The Zilla Parishad of North 24 Parganas came into existence on 26 June 1986 due to bifurcation of erstwhile 24 Parganas district with respect to North South divide on geographical pattern. This is the highest tire of three tire Panchayati Raj system having its head quarter at Barasat. It has six riverine Panchayat Samities in Sundarban region having saline tract on one side and a rich alluvial tracts of river Ichhamati Basin and industrial belt of Barrackpore on the other side. Its territorial jurisdiction is structured up to the International Border of Bangladesh along the eastern side.^[7]
Shri Sanjay Bansal, IAS took over the charge of District Magistrate & Collector, North 24 Parganas on the 19th August 2011.

Major City Points[link]

Chapadali: This is a major city center. Different bus route's buses are available from here.
Colony More: This is a junction of Krishna Nagar highway and Barakpur Highway road connected to city of joy.
DuckBanglow More: This also another junction of Jessore road and Krishnanagar Highway.

Transport[link]

Barasat town it well connected with roads to Kolkata, North Bengal, Bangladesh and other towns of West Bengal. The two nos. of National Highways (NH 34 & NH 35) and one no of State Highway (SH 2) run through Barasat town, Barasat is also well connected by railway with Sealdah, Bongaon and Basirhat.

Road[link]

"cycle-van" and other vehicles on a railway-crossing

The Taki road towards Champadali crossing.

From Kolkata,Take V.I.P Road (Najrul Islam Sarani) off Ultadanga (V.I.P.Crossing) to reach Airport Gate No. 1 and take right to Jessore Road (National Highway 34).Barasat is 8 kilometres straight drive from this crossing.

Barasat is a major roadway junction. The NH 34 (initially under the name Krishnanagar Road) goes towards north ultimately to the North Bengal and is the major link between Calcutta and the North-East India.

The Jessore Road (NH 35) leads to Bongaon and ultimately to the Bangladesh border at Petrapole.

The Taki Road leads to Basirhat, Hasnabad and Taki via Berachampa.

The Barrackpore Road links National Highway 35 at Barasat with Kalyani Expressway and Barrackpore.

The road of Barasat is very narrow and the residence of this place don't expect a good response from Road Department.^{[citation needed]}

Bus[link]

Chanpadali Bus terminal or Titumir Central Bus Terminal is the main bus terminal in barasat. Buses are servicing to this places:
Towards Kolkata: Madhyamgram, Dharmatala, Babughat, Kestopur, Ultadanga, SaltLake, DumDum, Garia, Tollygunj etc.
Towards South: Digha, Dimondharber, Sundarban etc.
Towards North: Maldha, Bardhawan, Durgapur, Siliguri, Balurghat, Baharampur, Beldanga, Rampurhat, Jagulia, Kandi etc.
Towards East: Bongaon, Habra, Ashok Nagar, Bagdha etc.
Towards West: Barakpore, Naihati, Krishna Nagar etc.
International Volvo Bus Services towards: Dacca (Bangladesh), Timpu (Bhutan)
There are several Air Conditioned Buses ply to Kolkata at morning and evening.

Rail[link]

Barasat Junction is the railway station, on Bongaon line of Sealdah Station (North Section). This junction is where Bongaon line and Hasnabad-Basirhat line of Kolkata Suburban Railway get separated.

The Barasat - Basirhat Railway line was originally run by Martin's Light Railways. Now it is a section under Sealdah division of Eastern Railways.

Train Time Table of Barasat Local for 2009-2010

Barasat Local towards Sealdah: 5.16 am, 8.15 am, 10.40 am, 2.45 pm, 3.55 pm (to Princes Ghat), 4.10 pm, 5.12 pm (till Dum Dum):^{[citation needed]}

Barasat Local towards Bongaon: 7.35 am, 3.40 pm (till Habra), 5.40 pm

Hasnabad Local from Barasat to Hasnabad: 4.45 am, 6.55 am, 4.50 pm, 6.05 pm, 9.58 pm

• This train time might be change without any local notification, please confirm with the electronic time table board for accurate time.

Air[link]

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is about 11 kilometres from Barasat city. There are Domestic and International terminals separately for domestic and international flights towards different part of the world.

Intra city transport[link]

Mainly depends on cycle-rickshaws and, quite interestingly, the three-wheeled man-driven "cycle-vans". Auto rickshaws ply between Barasat and nearby areas. Several buses connect the town with Kolkata, other suburbs of Kolkata and the other towns of West Bengal. The bus service to Kolkata is extremely frequent.

Demographics[link]

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[8] Barasat had a population of 231,515. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Barasat has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; 54% of the literates are male and 46% are female. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Population of Barasat–I CD Block was 249,625 according to 2001 census, with a population density of 2,223 persons per square km.^[9] Barasat–II CD Block had a population of 239,699 in 2001 census, with a population density of 1,480 persons per square km.^[9]

Culture[link]

The culture milieu in Barasat reflects the usual culturel characteristics of similar small towns in Bengal.The educated middle-class community continues to perpetuate the Bengali cultural manifestations like drama, recitation, classical music, songs and dances, while young Turks take a rather revolutionary stand and let out their feeling in the form of minor little magazines and socially relevant functions like health check up camps etc.

In Barasat some religious ashrams like the ashrams of Pranabananda, Prabhu Jagadbandhu [4], Shibananda Dham, Shankar Moth O Mission [5], Sree Sree Yogashram, Hazarat Ekdil Shah Darga etc. are located.

The cultural diversity has increased over the years with the infiltration of more people from Bangladesh. An annual fair held in honour of a Muslim saint, Hazrat Ekdil Shah is attended by both Muslims and Hindus, since hundreds of years. Kalipuja is a very important event in Barasat. All the communities join this occasion together. Kalipuja is organized by different clubs of Barasat, some of them are KNC Regiment, Satadal Sangha, Regiment, Barasat Chapadali Truck Association etc.

Rabindra Bhavan(রবীন্দ্র ভবন): is a cultural building made by West Bengal state cultural department on Jerrose road. There are so many cultural event and activity organised throughout the year.

Education[link]

The town's schools are either run by the state government or by private organisations. Schools mainly use English or Bengali as the medium of instruction. The schools are affiliated with the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), or the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education. Under the 10+2+3 plan, after completing their secondary education, students typically enrol in a 2 year junior college (also known as a pre-university) or in schools with a higher secondary facility affiliated with West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education. Students usually choose from one of three streams — liberal arts, commerce, or science, though vocational streams are also available. Upon completing the required coursework, students may enrol in general or professional degree programmed.

Schools[link]

Barasat Government High School

Priyanath Junior Basic Institution & Banamalipur Santosh Bhattacharya Memorial High School.

• Noapara Rashbehari Institution For Girls
• Barasat Peary Charan Sarkar Government High School
• Barasat Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School
• Purba Barasat Adarsha Vidyapith
• Nabapally Boys' High School
• Kalikrishna Girls' High School
• Barasat Girls' High School
• Barasat Indira Gandhi Memorial High School
• The Central Modern School
• Barasat Satya Bharati Vidya Pith
• Kalyani Public School
• Banamalipur Priyanath Institution
• Kazipara Hazarat Ekdil Shah Higher Secondary School
• Ashwinipalli High School
• Nabapally Jogendranath Balika Vidyamandir
• Auxilium Convent School
• Aditya Academy Senior Secondary
• Berachampa Deulia Uchcha Vidyalaya
• Gustia Kshetranath High School
• Little Angels Convent School

Colleges/University[link]

Colleges:

• RKVM Sarada Ma Girls College, Barasat's first women's college. Located at Bakul bone, Talikhola, Near Kanapukur.
• Barasat Government College,10 K.N.C. Road, Barasat, Kolkata-124
• Barasat College, previously Evening College, I, Kalyani Road, Barasat, 24- Paraganas,
• Adamas Institute of Technology, an Engineering College under the aegis of RICE GROUP, affiliated to West Bengal University of Technology and approved by AICTE.
• Camellia School Of Engineering & Technology,an Engineering college under CAMELLIA GROUP,under affiliation from WBUT
• Sabita Devi Education Trust - Brainware Group of Institutions-an Engineering,Management,Informations Technology College under the aegis of BRAINWARE GROUP, affiliated to West Bengal University of Technology.398,Ramkrishnapur Road (Near Jagadighata Market/1no Rail Gate),Barasat.
• Kingston Educational Institute,a Polytechnic,Law,Management & Science College,affiliated to WBUT

University:

• West Bengal State University

Media[link]

• Newspapers and magazines: Some small local newspapers and magazines (Review Preview, Sabujer Abhijan etc.) are there. However the scenario is dominated by the media of Kolkata. Bengali language newspapers like Anandabazar Patrika, Aajkaal, Bartaman, Sangbad Pratidin and Ganashakti are widely circulated. Regional and national English newspapers such as The Telegraph, The Statesman, Asian Age, Hindustan Times and The Times of India are available.

• Radio: Kolkata's radio stations are available here. Eleven local FM stations: AIR Kolkata (FM Rainbow & FM Gold), Radio Mirchi (98.3 MHz), Red FM (93.5 MHz), Aamar FM (106.2 MHz), Gyan Vani (105.4 MHz),Fever FM(104 MHz),Radio One(94.3 MHz),Meow FM(104.8 MHz),BIG FM(92.7 MHz) and Power FM (107.8 MHz) are available.

• Television: The state-owned television broadcaster Doordarshan provides two free terrestrial channels, while MSO provide a mix of Bengali, Hindi, English and other regional channels via cable.

Sports(খেলাধুলা)[link]

Football (soccer) is the passion of the citizens. Cricket is also played with great fanfare. Besides Indian sports like Kabbadi, kho-kho are also played. Barasat is the home of Barasat Euro Musketeers, a team in the Premier League Soccer of West Bengal.

The Barasat Stadium (বিদ্যাসাগর ক্রীডাণ্গন) holds some matches of the Kolkata football league and also several district-level, state-level and, infrequently, national level tournaments of several games like volleyball, soccer etc. The stadium have the capacity of 22000+ with fully concreted one and two tire, 7 gates for entry and exit. There are four towers for Television Telecast with Air Conditioned Dressing Room, Press box and Official Room for Players, Media and VIP Guests

Achievement on Barasat District Sports Stadium:
Conducted AIFF U - 15 National Football League 2005
Legend Goalkeeper Peter Thangaraj's Benefit Match 2005
IFA Premier Football League Match Every Year
IFA Super Division Football League Match Every Year
IFA INTER School Football, Inter District Football Match Every Year

Healthcare[link]

Barasat Cancer Research & Welfare Centre.

Barasat is one of the areas where ground water is affected by arsenic contamination.^[10]

The North 24 Parganas District Hospital is located in Barasat. Barasat also has several privately operated nursing homes and hospital. Barasat Cancer Research and Welfare Center is a treatment as well as research facility for cancer patients.

Government and Private Hospital in and around city:
Barasat General Hospital (Govt.)
Kalpataru General Hospital (Private)
Aditya Medical Park(Private)
Mega City Nursing Home (Private)

Notable Persons[link]

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was the deputy Magistrate of 24 Parganas in the 19th century.

See also[link]

• Barasat I (Community development block)
• Barasat II (Community development block)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Census 2001 data
•  Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Barasat". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

v t e Cities, towns and locations in North 24 Parganas district Cities and Towns Barasat Sadar subdivision Ashoknagar Kalyangarh Bamangachhi Bara Bamonia Barasat Duttapukur Gobardanga Guma Habra Hridaypur Madhyamgram Maslandapur Nokpul Raigachhi Rajarhat Sadpur Barrackpore subdivision Baranagar Barrackpore Barrackpur Cantonment Bhatpara Bijpur Birati Chandpur Dakshineswar Dum Dum Durganagar Garshyamnagar Garulia Ghola Halisahar Ichapore Ichhapur Defence Estate Jafarpur Jagatdal Jetia Kamarhati Kanchrapara Kaugachhi Khardaha Muragachha Naihati New Barrackpur Noapara North Barrackpur North Dumdum Panihati Patulia Ruiya Sodepur South Dumdum Talbandha Titagarh Bangaon subdivision Bangaon Dhakuria Sonatikiri Basirhat subdivision Baduria Basirhat Dhanyakuria Taki Bidhannagar subdivision Bidhannagar Locations other than cities and towns Bankipur Berunanpukuria Chandraketugarh Petrapole Related topics North 24 Parganas topics People from North 24 Parganas district Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary Chandraketugarh Sundarbans Sundarban National Park Kolkata neighbourhoods Cities, towns and locations in other districts Bankura Bardhaman Birbhum Cooch Behar Dakshin Dinajpur Darjeeling Hooghly Howrah Jalpaiguri Malda Murshidabad Nadia Paschim Medinipur Purba Medinipur Purulia South 24 Parganas Uttar Dinajpur West Bengal portal

Govind Nihalani
Born	(1940-08-19) 19 August 1940 (age 71) Karachi, British India
Occupation	Film director, film producer, screenwriter, cinematographer
Years active	1962 – present
Awards	2002 Padma Shri

Govind Nihalani (born 19 August 1940) is an Indian director, cinematographer, and also a screenwriter and film producer. He has been directing Hindi films since the late seventies, and worked in the television medium.

Biography[link]

Nihalani was born on 19 August 1940 in Karachi, Sindh province (now in Pakistan) and his family migrated to India during the partition of 1947. He started out as a cinematographer, graduating in cinematography from the Shree Jaya Chamrajendra polytechnic in Bangalore in 1962. He was an Assistant Cinematographer to the legendary V. K. Murthy.He was associated with all the earlier films of Shyam Benegal and with the cinematography of Richard Attenborough's Oscar-winning epic Gandhi. Nihalani and Benegal are well known for their socially relevant films.

His first directorial venture was Aakrosh starring Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, the late Smita Patil and the late Amrish Puri. This was based on a real story which was converted into a film script by the eminent Marathi playwright Vijay Tendulkar and it made a huge impact on audiences all over India. It shared the Golden Peacock for best film at the International Film Festival of India held in New Delhi in 1981. His film Ardh Satya, based on a story by S.D. Panwalkar, is still remembered by film lovers. It changed forever the way in which Indian cinema portrayed the police and it exposed in stark detail the police-politician-criminal nexus. Come 1997, and he adapted Bengali novelist, Mahasweta Devi's acclaimed novel by the same name to Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa ^[1]

Over the years he has directed many films which are known for the manner in which they grab the viewer's attention, and his most recent work is the 2004 film Dev.

Filmography[link]

• Aakrosh (1980) - Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, Amrish Puri.
• Vijeta (1982) - Kunal Kapoor, Supriya Pathak, Shashi Kapoor, Rekha, Amrish Puri, Raja Bundela.
• Ardh Satya (1983) - Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Amrish Puri, Shafi Inamdar.
• Party (1984) - Rohini Hattangadi, Manohar Singh, Vijaya Metha, Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah.
• Aghaat (1985) - Om Puri, Gopi, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapoor.
• Tamas (1987) - TV serial based on a novel by Bhisham Sahni. Cinematography by V.K.Murthy.
• Drishti (1990) - Shekar Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Irfan Khan.
• Pita (1991)
• Rukmavati Ki Haweli (1991)
• Jazeere (TV series) (1991)
• Karm Yoddha (1992)
• Drohkaal (1994) - Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Mita Vashishta, Annu Kapoor, Ashish Vidyarthi.
• Sanshodhan (1996)
• Kuruthipunal (Tamil) (1996) (story)
• Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1997) - Jaya Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Joy Sengupta, Nandita Sen, Seema Biswas, Milind Gunaji.
• Thakshak (2000) - Ajay Devgan, Rahul Bose, Tabu, Amrish Puri, Govind Namdeo, Nethra Raghuraman.
• Deham (2001) - Joy Sengupta, Kitu Gidwani, Surekha Sikri, Aly Khan.
• Dev (2004) - Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri, Fardeen Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Rati Agnihotri.^[2][3]

Books[link]

• Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema, by Govind Nihalani, Saibal Chatterjee, Gulzar. Popular Prakashan, 2003. [1]

References[link]

1. ^ Through her writing, you get to hear the voice of a community that is otherwise voiceless' Rediff.com.
2. ^ Filmography New York Times.
3. ^ Govind Nihalani MSN Movies.

External links[link]

• Nihalani's official site.
• Govind Nihalani at the Internet Movie Database
• A discussion between Nihalani and Rakesh Sharma (September 2005)
• Nihalani speaks on Dev. Interview by Taran Adarsh in indiafm.com (9 June 2004)
• Nihalani interviewed by Saibal Chatterjee in The Hindustan Times
• Zafar Anjum interviews Nihalani at Chowk.com (16 February 2003)
• Piroj Wadia interviews Nihalani for Screen (3 May 2002)
• Manjulaa Negi profiles Nihalani in The Hindustan Times
• Dhira Singh poses 10 questions to Nihalani in Outlook (12 March 2001)
• Sharmila Taliculam interviews Nihalani for rediff.com (1 December 1999)