Sunabeda

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Sunabeda | type = city | latd =18.82 | longd =82.72
state_name = Orissa
district = Koraput
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population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 58,647| population_density =
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area_telephone =
postal_code =
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Sunabeda is a township in the state of Orissa, India, ensconced in the lush valleys of the Koraput region. It is home to Engine Division - Koraput of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), an aircraft manufacturing company.

History

Created around 1965, mainly to accommodate HAL employees, Sunabeda is a highly planned and organized township. It is situated around 1000 meters above sea level. Until the 1980s, the place was inhabited by a number of tribes.

Geography

Location

Sunabeda is located 20 kilometers east of Koraput. There are frequent buses and taxis from Koraput. Though the closest railway station is at Koraput, a majority of the people prefer alighting at Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh. The national highway 43 running over the mountains and forest make the journey to Sunabeda an unforgatable experience.

There are basically three areas in Sunabeda defined as Sunabeda - I,II,III,these being AEF Colony,the H A L township and the N A C (notified area council) respectively.They are so called because of the last digit in the PINCODE.

With lush green flora all around the hills and hillocks it is a place worth seeing. The HAL Nursery while open to the public is worth a visit. There is also a deer park adjoining the nursery. A museum (yet to be completed) on the outskirts of the township is to house the developmental history of the place as well as the factory.

HAL township

Sunabeda is a small well planned and beautiful township with adjoining areas like PHED Colony, AEF Colony, NAC, Semliguda, D.P. Camp, Jadaguda, Malliguda, Jersey Farm, Timber, and Damonjodi. The HAL factory is located in the center of the town, employs around six thousand people, and provides residential quarters for the employees and staff of the company. There are many zones starting from A to U, the 'L' zone being the largest. There are other zones listed as RA, QA, LA, UA, JA, IB.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Sunabeda had a population of 58,647. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Sunabeda has an average literacy rate of 62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 69%, and female literacy is 54%. In Sunabeda, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Education

To provide its staff children with quality education. the management runs many educational institution. The Aeronautics College formerly known as A.C.A College,(establied in the year 1981) awards students with bachelors degree in different streams. V.S. Vidyalaya(Founded in 1968) Affliliated to Central Board Of Secondary Education (C.B.S.E)with no competitor in the CBSE stream in the district, reveals the success of many students. The only missionary school, Jeevan Jyothi convent school is situated at similiguda 5 km from sunabeda. There is also the Sunabeda Public School (ICSE)in the A E F Colony. The Sunabeda Public School founded in 1965 is the oldest English-medium school in the erstwhile undivided Koraput district. It is a co-educational residential school having classes from LKG to Class XII. Known for its academic excellence the institution has produced students who are in enviable positions in government and non-government organisations across the country and abroad. Other two glories of the beauty of education are A.G.H School, and A.D.A.V School. Added to this it has few primary schools: D Zone School, R Zone School, and I Zone School. Damonjodi (NALCO - M & R Complex) is hardly 18 km from Sunabeda. The marketplaces are: Central Market, Jagannath Market(Daily), Milan Market, Russian Market, R Zone Market, AEF Market and the Nac Market.

Culture

The major cultural events in Sunabeda are the Rath Yatra, Maha Sivaratri which is celebrated at the temple of Shiva atop a hillock just close to the AEF Colony bus stop, the Viswakarma Puja,Dussehra and other festivals. There is a Jagannath temple in AEF Colony & LA zone in HAL Township. There is a Hanuman Temple in U zone.

There also exist a Jagannath temple near L & LA zone. The Khetra is known as "Swarnakhetra". It is a famous temple comprising of the Shiv temple, Ganesh temple, MahaLaxmi temple. Every Year on the occasion of Ratha Yatra a colourful magazine is published namely 'Swarnakhetra'.

References