Union Territory of Puducherry புதுச்சேரி Territoire de Pondichéry
—  union territory  —
Map of Pondicherry/Pondichéry
Coordinates: 11°56′N 79°50′E / 11.93°N 79.83°E / 11.93; 79.83Coordinates: 11°56′N 79°50′E / 11.93°N 79.83°E / 11.93; 79.83
Country	India
Established	1 July 1963
Capital and Largest city	Pondicherry
District(s)	4
Government
• Lt. Governor	Iqbal Singh
• Chief Minister	N. Rangaswamy (AINRC)
• Legislature	Unicameral (30 seats)
Area
• Total	492 km2 (190 sq mi)
Population
• Total	1,244,464
• Rank	2nd
• Density	2,500/km2 (6,600/sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
ISO 3166 code	IN-PY
Official languages	Tamil, French, Telugu, Malayalam
Website	www.pon.nic.in

Puducherry /ˌpɒndɨˈtʃɛri/ is a Union Territory of India formed out four enclaves of former French India and named for the largest, Pondicherry.

In September 2006, the territory changed its official name from Pondicherry^[1] to Puducherry, which means "New village"^[2] in the Tamil language. The territory is called புதுச்சேரி (Putuccēri) or பாண்டிச்சேரி (Pāṇṭiccēri) in Tamil, or Pondichéry in French. It is also known as "The French Riviera of the East" (La Côte d'Azur de l'Est).

Geography[link]

Pondicherry consists of four small unconnected districts: Pondicherry, Karaikal and Yanam on the Bay of Bengal and Mahé on the Arabian Sea. Pondicherry and Karaikal are by far the larger ones and are both enclaves of Tamil Nadu. Yanam and Mahé are enclaves of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala respectively. The territory has a total area of 492 km²: Pondicherry (city) 293 km², Karaikal 160 km², Mahé 9 km² and Yanam 30 km². It has 900,000 inhabitants (2001).

Some of those enclaves are themselves amalgamations of non-contiguous enclaves, often called pockets in India. Thus, Pondicherry district is made of 12 pockets, some of whom are very small (see map) and entirely surrounded by the territory of Tamil Nadu. For its part, Mahe district is made of 3 pockets. This unusual geography is a legacy of the colonial period since the U.T. of Puducherry has retained the borders of former French India.

Mahé beach

History[link]

The History of Pondicherry can be traced back to the 2nd century. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, of the early 2nd century, mentions a marketplace named Poduke (ch. 60), which G.W.B. Huntingford identified as possibly being Arikamedu (now part of Ariyankuppam), about 2 miles from the modern Pondicherry. Huntingford further notes that Roman pottery was found at Arikamedu in 1937, and archeological excavations between 1944 and 1949 showed that it was "a trading station to which goods of Roman manufacture were imported during the first half of the 1st century AD".^[3]

French influence[link]

A remarkable degree of French influence in Pondicherry exists to this date. Pondicherry was designed based on the French (originally Dutch) grid pattern and features neat sectors and perpendicular streets. The town is divided into two sections: the French Quarter (Ville Blanche or 'White town') and the Indian quarter (Ville Noire or 'Black Town'). Many streets still retain their French names, and French style villas are a common sight. In the French quarter, the buildings are typically colonial style with long compounds and stately walls. The Indian quarter consists of houses lined with verandas and houses with large doors and grills. These French and Indian style houses are identified and their architecture preserved from destruction by an organization named INTACH. The use of the French language can be still seen in Pondicherry.

Pondicherry still has a large number of Indian and a small number of non-Indian descent residents with French passports. These are descendants of those who chose to remain French when the then-ruling French establishment presented the people of Pondicherry with an option to either remain French or become Indians at the time of Pondicherry's transfer to India in 1954. Apart from the monuments pertaining to the French period, there is the French Consulate in Pondicherry and several cultural organisations. Another important one is Le Foyer du Soldat legion hall for soldiers who served in French wars.

Of the cultural organisations the French Institute of Pondicherry, the Pondicherry Centre of the École française d'Extrême-Orient and a branch of the Alliance Française are noteworthy. A French-medium school system, the Lycée Français de Pondichéry, continues to operate under the aegis of the French Minister of National Education.

Official languages of government[link]

Map of Pondicherry Region, Union Territory of Pondicherry, India

The official languages of Pondicherry are Tamil (89%), Malayalam (3.8%), Telugu (2.9% Yanam) and French (1%). The status of each language varies by district. When communicating between districts of different languages, generally English is used for convenience.

• Tamil is used by the Pondicherry government, especially used when communicating within and between the Tamil majority districts of (Pondicherry and Karikal) along with issuing official decrees. Telugu is widely spoken in Pondicherry, Karaikal and Yanam districts. Malayalam is spoken in Mahe and Pondicherry regions.
• French is also the official language of Pondicherry Union territory. It was the official language of French India (1673–1954) and its official language status was preserved by the Treaty of Cession signed by the Indian Union and the French Republic on 28 May 1956.

French remained as the de jure official language of Pondicherry U.T by the Article XXVIII of the Treaty of Cession, which states that:

The French language shall remain the official language of the Establishments so long as the elected representatives of the people shall not decide otherwise [English version]^[4]

Regional official languages[link]

• Tamil: An official language of Pondicherry. It is the most widely spoken language in the territory. Pondicherry, being a neighbour of Tamil Nadu, shares much of its culture.
• French: As Pondicherry was once a colonial enclave of France, French remains an official language.
• Telugu: An official language of Pondicherry, but used more within Yanam (Telugu district). So, more correctly, it is considered a regional official language of Pondicherry while being the official language of Yanam District.
• Malayalam: An official language of Pondicherry used only in Mahé (Malayalam district). More correctly, it is considered a regional official language of Pondicherry while being the official language of Mahé District.

Official symbols[link]

On April 16, 2007, the government of Pondicherry announced that the following to be its state symbol:^[5]

Government and administration[link]

Pondicherry Legislative Assembly

Puducherry is a Union Territory of India, and a separate state, which implies that the governance and administration of the territory falls directly under the federal authority in New Delhi. However, along with Delhi, Pondicherry is one of the two union territories in India which is entitled by special constitutional amendments to have an elected legislative assembly and a cabinet of ministers, thereby enjoying partial statehood powers. Under the special provision, the government is permitted to make laws with respect to specific matters. In many cases, such legislation may require the ratification from the federal government or the assent of the President of India.

The Centre is represented by the lieutenant governor, who resides at the Raj Nivas (Le Palais du Gouverneur) at the Park, the former palace of the French governor. The central government is more directly involved in the financial well-being of the territory, as against the states where financial administration, given a budgeted central grant is the responsibility to the state governments. Consequently, Pondicherry has at various times, enjoyed lower taxes, especially in the indirect category.

Special administration status[link]

According to the Treaty of Cession of 1956, the four territories of former French India were guaranteed to retain their special administrative status. That is why Pondicherry is the only Union Territory with some special provisions like Legislative Assembly, French is an official language, etc.

Article II of the Treaty states that

"The Establishments will keep the benefit of the special administrative status which was in force prior to 1 November 1954. Any constitutional changes in this status which may be made subsequently shall be made after ascertaining the wishes of the people.

In Indian philosophy[link]

Pondicherry was the residence of Sri Aurobindo. The Sri Aurobindo Ashram and its Auroville offshoot still operate from Pondicherry.

Pondicherry in literature[link]

• Pondicherry was the setting for the first third of the Booker prize-winning novel Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
• Lee Langley's novel A house in Pondicherry was likewise set there.
• "Prince Pondicherry" is an Indian character from Roald Dahl's novel Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. The prince orders Willy Wonka to build a palace of chocolate in India, which then melts in the hot sun.

Economy[link]

Macro-economic trend[link]

This is a chart of trend of gross state domestic product of Pondicherry at market prices estimated by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation with figures in millions of Indian rupees.

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2012)

Pondicherry's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $2 billion in current prices. The potential for fisheries is substantial in the Union Territory. The four regions of the Union Territory have a coastline of 45 km with 675 km² of inshore waters, 1.347 ha of inland water and 800 ha of brackish water. There are 27 marine fishing villages and 23 inland fishing villages with fishermen population of about 65,000 of which 13,000 are actively engaged in fishing. Irrigation tanks and ponds are also tapped for commercial fish rearing.

The Railways play a vital role for speedy economic growth. The entire cost towards execution of the new broad gauge line for 10.7 km from Karaikal to Nagore would now be funded by the Ministry of Railways and work has already been awarded on turn key basis for laying the new railway line in a period of 18 months.

The present availability of power is about 400 MW. The demand is likely to increase with the development of Port, Special Economic Zone, other industrial development, trade, commerce etc.It has been decided to expand the Pondicherry Airport so that air services could improve gradually over years, to land ATR to Boeing aircraft, to meet the growing demand for air travel. A MoU has already been signed with Airports Authority of India for expansion of Pondicherry Airport in two phases.

Tourism[link]

Transport[link]

Rail[link]

Pondicherry is connected by a railway branch line from the five-way junction at Viluppuram (town). The railway line is being gauge converted under Project Unigauge from metre gauge to broad gauge.^[6]

Road network[link]

Pondicherry is endowed with excellent infrastructural facilities on par with the best available in the country. A network of all weather metalled roads connecting every village exists in the territory. Pondicherry has a road length of 2552 km (road length per 4.87 km²), the highest in the country.

Road length comparsion with Tamilnadu and India as a whole[link]

Classification of roads[link]

[edit] Educational institutions

Pondicherry University[link]

Pondicherry is a Union Territory with one of the highest levels of quality of life in the country with moderate physical infrastructure and almost a hundred per cent literacy level. It is also the place where Sri Aurobindo and the Mother chose to stay and their writings remain a tremendous source of spiritual awakening that emphasizes the progress of humanity and its spiritual brotherhood. A unique experimental city, Auroville, the brainchild of the Mother, whose inhabitants are drawn from all parts of the world, is situated on the outskirts of the city. Pondicherry, which still carries several marks of French culture and heritage, was also the place where the national poet Shri Subramania Bharathiar wrote several of his masterpieces that fanned the flames of freedom and also enriched modern Tamil literature. Bharathidasan, a staunch disciple of Subramania Bharathiar, whose poems stressed social revolution and emancipation of women, was also an eminent son of Pondicherry. Therefore, it is, indeed, in the fitness of things that this city with such an illustrious history should also have the distinction of housing a Central University that would meet the needs of the people of the Southern states of India in general and those of Pondicherry in particular, for higher education.^[7]

Institutions[link]

• Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research
• Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
• Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences
• Christ college of Engineering and technology
• Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute
• Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute
• Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Institute of Engineering and Technology^[8]
• Pondicherry Engineering College
• Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering and Technology
• Manakula Vinayagar Institute of Technology
• Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College
• Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College & Hospital
• Pondicherry Institutes of Medical Sciences
• Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences
• Kasthurba College for Women, Villianur,Pondicherry
• Vinayaka Missions Medical College
• Regency Institute of Technology
• Shree Sathguru Engg. College
• University College of Engineering
• Bharathiyar College of Engineering and Technology
• Mahatma Gandhi Government Arts College, Mahe
• Aarupadai Veedu Medical College & Hospital^[9]
• Sri Venkateswaraa Medical College Hospital & Research Centre
• Mahe co-operative college for higher studies and education
• Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education
• Tagore Arts College

The State of Puducherry also has an National Institutes of Technology named as National Institute of Technology, Puducherry(NITPY) which is maintained by the Government of India and located in the town of Karaikal.

See also[link]

	Geography portal
	Asia portal
	South Asia portal
	India portal
	Pondicherry portal

• Road Network in Pondicherry District
• Causes for Liberation of French colonies in India
• Municipal Administration in French India
• List of Chief Ministers of Pondicherry
• Pondicherry (Lok Sabha constituency)
• Pondicherry Municipal Council
• French East India Company
• Coup d'État de Yanaon
• French colonial empire
• French India
• Life of Pi
• Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
• JIPMER
• Pondicherry Engineering College
• Auroville
• Ariyankuppam
• Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pondicherry

• Official website of the Government of the Union Territory of Pondicherry
• Future of French India, by Russel H. Fifield (Associate Professor of Political Science at University of Michigan
• Puducherry – its Early Origins
• Freedom struggle in Pondicherry
• Indian Ministry for External Affaires – 1956 Treaty of Cession
• Exploration Off Arikamedu by Archaeological Survey of India
• About Pondicherry

v t e States and territories of India States Andhra Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh Assam Bihar Chhattisgarh Delhi Goa Gujarat Haryana Himachal Pradesh Jammu and Kashmir Jharkhand Karnataka Kerala Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Manipur Meghalaya Mizoram Nagaland Orissa Punjab Rajasthan Sikkim Tamil Nadu Tripura Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand West Bengal Union Territories Andaman and Nicobar Islands Chandigarh Dadra and Nagar Haveli National Capital Territory of Delhi Daman and Diu Lakshadweep Pondicherry

Mychael Danna (born September 20, 1958) is a Canadian film composer.

Life and career[link]

Mychael Danna is the brother of fellow composer Jeff Danna. He has been scoring films since his 1987 feature debut for Atom Egoyan's Family Viewing, a score which earned Danna the first of his thirteen Genie Award nominations. He has won five times for Achievement in Music - Original Score.^[1] Danna is recognized as one of the pioneers of combining non-Western sound sources with orchestral and electronic minimalism in the world of film music. This reputation has led him to work with such directors as Atom Egoyan, Deepa Mehta, Terry Gilliam, Scott Hicks, Ang Lee, Gillies MacKinnon, James Mangold, Mira Nair, Billy Ray, Joel Schumacher, and Denzel Washington.

He studied music composition at the University of Toronto, winning the Glenn Gould Composition Scholarship in 1985. Danna also served for five years as composer-in-residence at the McLaughlin Planetarium in Toronto (1987–1992). Works for dance include music for Dead Souls (Carbone Quatorze Dance Company, directed by Gilles Maheu 1996), and a score for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Gita Govinda (2001) based on the 1000-year-old classical Indian erotic poem, with choreographer Nina Menon.

Recent projects include Deepa Mehta's Water, Atom Egoyan's Where the Truth Lies, Terry Gilliam's Tideland, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris' Little Miss Sunshine, Bennett Miller's Capote, and Marc Webb's (500) Days of Summer.

Filmography[link]

• Moneyball (film) (2011)
• Camelot (series) (2011, with his brother Jeff)
• (500) Days of Summer (2009)
• Chloe (2009)
• The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009, with his brother Jeff))
• The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)
• Lakeview Terrace (2008, with his brother Jeff)
• Surf's Up (2007)
• Breach (2007)
• The Nativity Story (2006)
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
• Lonely Hearts (2006)
• Sohni Sapna (2005)
• Eve and the Fire Horse (2005)
• Tideland (2005, with his brother Jeff))
• Water (2005)
• Capote (2005)
• Where the Truth Lies (2005)
• Aurora Borealis (2005)
• Being Julia (2004)
• Vanity Fair (2004)
• The Snow Walker (2003)
• Shattered Glass (2003)
• Hulk (2003) (additional cue "Mother")
• Antwone Fisher (2002)
• The Guys (2002)
• Ararat (2002)
• Hearts in Atlantis (2001)
• Monsoon Wedding (2001)
• The Hire: Chosen (2001)
• Green Dragon (2001, with his brother Jeff))
• Bounce (2000)
• The Boondock Saints (1999. with his brother Jeff))
• Girl, Interrupted (1999)
• Don't Think Twice (1999 short)
• Ride with the Devil (1999)
• Felicia's Journey (1999)
• 8MM (1999)
• The Confession (1999)
• At the End of the Day: The Sue Rodriguez Story (1998)
• Behind the Lines (1997)
• The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
• The Ice Storm (1997)
• Dangerous Offender: The Marlene Moore Story (1996 TV movie)
• Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996)
• Lilies (1996)
• Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
• Dance Me Outside (1995)
• Exotica (1994)
• The Darling Family (1994)
• Narmada: A Valley Rises (1994 documentary)
• Hush Little Baby (1993 TV movie)
• Gross Misconduct (1993 TV movie)
• Ordinary Magic (1993)
• The Adjuster (1991)
• Johann's Gift to Christmas (1991 TV short)
• Montréal vu par... (1991) - (segment "En passant")
• The Big Slice (1991)
• Still Life: The Fine Art of Murder (1990)
• Speaking Parts (1989)
• Road to Avonlea (1989 TV series)
• One Man Out (1989)
• Cold Comfort (1989)
• Without Work: Not by Choice (1989 short)
• Termini Station (1989)
• Murder One (1988)
• Blood Relations (1988)
• Caribe (1987)
• Family Viewing (1987)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Mychael Danna website
• Mychael Danna at the Internet Movie Database
• Danna talks about The Nativity Story