Suri, Birbhum

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Suri | type = city | latd =23.9167 | longd =87.5333
state_name = West Bengal
district = Birbhum
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude =56
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 61,818| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =731101
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Suri, (also spelt as Siuri), ( _bn. সিউড়ি), is the headquarter of Birbhum district in the Indian state of West Bengal, India.

Geography

Suri is located at coord|23.9167|N|87.5333|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/28/Siuri.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Siuri] ] . It has an average elevation of 56 metres (187 feet). Tilpara barrage on Mayurakshi river is located 7 km north-east of Siuri. Bakreshwar Shiv temple and the thermal power plant lies nearby in the east. It is located close to Tarapith another old pilgrimage spot, one of the famous Shakti Peethas (like Kalighat). As per some school of thought Tarapith does not fall in the list of 51 Shakti Peeths while Barkreswhwar does .

Economics

Besides being an administrative center, Suri is also an important road and agricultural-trade centre of Birbhum. Its chief industries include rice milling, cotton and silk weaving, and furniture manufacture. Suri was constituted a municipality in 1876.

India's economic boom has finally shown signs of spreading to Siuri. In March 2008, a private Kolkata-based firm, Ramsarup Group, unveiled a proposal for large-scale investment. A greenfield power plant and cement manufacturing plant worth Rs 2200 crores (US $550 million) was submitted to the Government of West Bengal. [cite web | url=http://mjunction.in/market_news/metals/ramsarup_group_plans_siuri_gre.php | title=Ramsarup Group plans Siuri greenfield project | year=2008 | publisher=mJunction| accessdate=2008-03-26] If this project is successful, Siuri's economy is expected to take off.

Bakreswar Thermal Power Plant is around 12 kilometer away from Suri town and its existence contributed significantly to the economy of the town and surrounding area by providing employment and business opportunity.

Demographics

According to 1991 census Suri had a population of ~ 54,274 (Prelim). As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Suri had a population of 61,818. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Suri has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 68%. In Suri, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Transport

Suri is 220 Km from State capital Kolkata (Calcutta) , 90 Km from Durgapur ,54 km from Andal and 19 km from Sainthia on the Andal-Sainthia line of Eastern Railway. [ Eastern Railway time table ] It is on NH 60.

Politics

In the 2006 assembly elections, Tapan Roy of CPI(M) won the Suri seat defeating his nearest rival Swapan Kanti Ghosh of INC. In 2001, Braja Mukherjee of CPI(M) defeated Suniti Chattaraj of AITC. In 1986, Suniti Chattaraj representing INC defeated Tapan Roy of CPI(M). Tapan Roy of CPI(M) defeated Suniti Chattaraj of INC in 1987 and 1982. Suniti Chattaraj defeated Keshab Das of CPI(M) in 1977 and Arun Kumar Chowdhury of CPI(M) in 1977. [cite web | url = http://eci.gov.in/electionanalysis/AE/S25/partycomp288.htm | title = 288 - Suri Assembly Constituency | accessdate = 2007-09-21 | last = | first = | work = West Bengal | publisher = Election Commission of India.] Suri is part of Birbhum (Lok Sabha constituency). [cite web | url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S25/WB_ACPC.pdf | title = General election to the Legislative Assembly, 2001 – List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies | accessdate = 2007-09-19 | last = | first = | work = West Bengal | publisher = Election Commission of India.]

Education

Suri is one of the main educational centers of Birbhum. Colleges include old Suri Vidyasagar College and new Birbhum Mahavidyalaya affiliated with the University of Burdwan, Birbhum Institute of Technology and Sri Sri Ramkrisna Shilpa Vidyapith (popularly known as LC college, this college is more than 50 year of old & also one of the oldest diploma engineering colllege in west bengal. there are three major department-mechanical engg, civil engg,electrical engg.this college is situatedat in between the entrance of the Suri town and Tilpara barrege.). It has one of the oldest School of the District, Birbhum Zilla School. Established on 1851 prior to 'Sipahi Bidroho'.And another oldest school in suri is Suri Benimadhab Institution established on 1902

Local Specialities

Suri is famous for a special food preparation called morabba. Morabba of various fruits and vegetables soaked in thick sweet syrup comes in unimaginable number of varieties, which includes Morabba of Satamooli (local name for the roots of a variety of Asparagus).

External links

* [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9068030 Britannica article]

References

ee also