Ranchi, Jharkhand

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Ranchi
type = capital
latd = 23.35
longd = 85.33
locator_position = right
state_name = Jharkhand
altitude = 620
population_total = 846,454 (census 2001)
area_magnitude = km²
area_telephone = 0651
postal_code = 834001
vehicle_registration code = JH 01
official website = www.ranchi.nic.in
railways station codes = RNC for Ranchi Jn. and HTE for Hatia
footnotes =

Ranchi audio|Ranchi.ogg|pronunciation (Hindi: राँची) is the capital city of the Indian state of Jharkhand. Ranchi was the centre of the Jharkhand movement for a separate state for the tribal regions of South Bihar, northern Orissa, Western West Bengal and the present eastern Chhattisgarh. Jharkhand State was formed on 15 November 2000 by carving out the Bihar divisions of Chota Nagpur and Santhal Parganas.

The name Ranchi comes from "archi" an Oraon/Kurukh word for the farmer's "baton" in use while ploughing. The area was an agricultural locality and Doranda (durang da' a Mundari word) was a better known place for its military base and garrison. The present Purani Ranchi was originally known as the village Archi.

Ranchi is a prominent political, commercial, industrial and educational hub of eastern India.

Geography

Ranchi is located at coord|23.35|N|85.33|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/38/Ranchi.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Ranchi] ] The total area covered by Ranchi - Municipal Area is about 110 square kilometers and the average elevation of the city is 2,140 feet above sea level.

Geographically, Ranchi is located on southern part of the Chota Nagpur plateau which forms the eastern edge of the Deccan plateau system. The area surrounding Ranchi has been endowed with natural attractions and it is referred to as the “City of Waterfalls”. The most popular waterfalls are Dasham, Hundru, Jonha Falls, Hirni and Panchghat, which are all active perennially.

The Subernarekha river and its tributaries constitute the local river system. Dams inKanke, Rukka and Hatia have been built over these channels to cater to the water requirements of the local population.

Ranchi has a hilly topography and its combination with dense tropical forests ensures that it enjoys a comparatively moderate climate compared to the rest of the state.

Climate

climate chart
Ranchi
10|23|13
13|26|14
17|31|16
22|35|18
24|37|33
24|33|192
23|29|258
23|29|243
22|29|179
19|28|64
14|26|12
10|23|9
source= [http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages.aspx?wealocations=wc:27289 MSN weather]
float=right
clear=noneRanchi has a sub-tropical climate. Temperature ranges from maximum 37 to 20°C during summer, and minimum 22 to 3°C during winter. The annual rainfall is about 1530 mm. From June to September the rainfall level is about 1,100 mm.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Ranchi had a population of 846,454. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Ranchi has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 68%. In Ranchi, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

According to the current estimates, the population of the city is now about 1,300,000. The city witnessed a sudden surge in population after the declaration of the new state of Jharkhand in 2000. Owing to the rising employment opportunities and opening of numerous regional and state level offices, banks, and marketing companies, the city witnessed the influx of migrants. Ranchi has always enjoyed a cosmopolitan environment and still entails a good mix of people from different regions of the country. Ranchi is the largest city in Jharkhand.

Education

Ranchi has a number of government and privately run schools and colleges.

Most of the government-run schools in Ranchi are affiliated to Jharkhand Academic Council, while most of the private schools are affiliated to ICSE and/or CBSE boards. A number of Christian Schools are Convents or are run by the Jesuit missionaries of the Roman Catholic, Gossner, Evangelical and Lutheran Churches and the Church of North India.

Most of the colleges and institutions of higher education of Ranchi are under the jurisdiction of Ranchi University. There are also Agicultural and Veterinary Colleges which are part of the Birsa Agricultural University located at Kanke.

Schools

* Schools of RanchiKendriya Vidyalaya, CCL Ranchi,H.E.C. HIgh school Dhurwa ranchiD.A.V Hehal, Hehal, RanchiSurendranath Centenary School, DipatoliD.A.V Gandhi Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Kanke Road
Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamali ColonyD.A.V Bariatu, Bariatu, RanchiD.A.V Kapil Dev, New A.G. Co-Operative Colony, Kadru, RanchiD.A.V International School, BariatuCambrian Public School, Kanke Road,Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir,Dhurwa,Bishop's School, Bahu BazaarBishop Westcott Boys' School, NamkumBishop Westcott Girls' School, NamkumBishop Westcott Girls School, DorandaSt. Xavier's School, South Office Para, DorandaSt. Mary's (N) School, South Office Para, DorandaSt. Anthony's School, North Office Para, DorandaLoreto Conven, North Office Para, DorandaDelhi Public School, Satelite ColonyBridgeford School, TupudanaSacred Heart, HulhunduTaurian World School, Khunti RoadSaffire International School, Khunti RoadTender Heart School, TupudanaKendriya Vidyalaya, DorandaSt. Francis School,Harmu Housing Colony,Kendriya Vidyalaya, HinooKendriya Vidyalaya, NamkumKendriya Vidyalaya, DipatoliKairali School, Sector-II, DhurwaArmy School, BariatuSt. Thomas School, Dhurwa

= Colleges =
* Colleges of RanchiRanchi College,St Xavier's College,Gossner College,Marwari College,Women's College,Nirmala College,J.N College

Transportation and commuting

Road

Ranchi has road connectivity with 2 National Highways (NH-23 & 33)crossing it and NH-75 originating here. Recently the state government with the support of NHDC has constituted a plan to expand the road connectivity of different district headquarters to this capital city with 4-lane highways of international standards.

One peculiarity of this capital city is that there are no local bus services. For commuting one can hire or share an Auto Rickshaw. Taxis too are available. Cycle rickshaws are a more modest way to travel for short distances.

The city has one State Bus Terminus where buses are available for travelling to Jamshedpur, Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Alipurduar, Siliguri, Kolkata, Rourkela. The State Bus Terminus is located near the Ranchi Railway station.

Khad Garha is a Private Bus Terminus where buses are available for multiple destinations within Jharkhand and Bihar. There are also buses available for Kolkata, Benaras, Rourkela and cities of other eastern states. AC Services are available for Patna, Kolkata and Jamshedpur. Most of the buses are equipped with music systems and video.

Ratu Road is another Private Bus Terminus where buses are available for destinations in Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa and Chattisgarh.

Rail

Ranchi has witnessed growth in railway connectivity during the past 3 to 4 years. Growing demand and grants in the annual Railway budgets made sure that Ranchi got its deserved share of allocation. Currently Ranchi has frequent connectivity with all major centres in India.
Major Rail Connections From Ranchi: New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata (Howrah), Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin, Allepey, Jaipur, Patna, Bhubaneshwar, Alipurduar etc.
The Railway Stations in the city are: Tatisilwai, Namkum, Ranchi Junction, Argora & Hatia

Air

Ranchi has a domestic airport - "Bhagwan Birsa Munda Airport" (Code: IXR) managed by the Airports Authority of India. It is situated at an elevation of 2120 ft. The airport terminal is situated approximately 7 km South of the city center, in Hinoo. The single runway airport is approximatelty 8000 feet in length and supports navigation/traffic control systems such as HIRL, PAPI, ASPL and Apron Flood lights.

Ranchi is connected by air with most of the major metros of the country. It has 5 daily connections to Delhi and 3 to Kolkatta. It is also connected with cities like Mumbai, Patna, Bhubaneshwar and Chandigarh by daily scheduled services. Airlines include Indian, JetLite, Deccan and MDLR.

New budget airlines have announced plans to connect Ranchi with other destinations.

Trade, commerce, and industry

As an important administrative and military base of the eastern India during the British Raj, Ranchi developed as an important centre of trade and commerce, including a traditional base for sericulture and manufacture of shellac. Villages around Ranchi has been described as the 'vegetable bowl' of Jharkhand and truckloads of green vegetables are transported from the city to different parts of Jharkhand, Bihar, as also to Kolkata.

After India gained independence, Ranchi continued to grow and a number of industrial facilities were located in and around the city, and it emerged as an important industrial centre. Along with other two industrial townships of Jamshedpur and Bokaro, it completes the industrial structure of Jharkhand. Techno-industrial facilities of Ranchi include Heavy Engineering Corporation, MECON, SAIL's R&D Facility, High Tension Insulator factory, CCL, CMPDI, IICM, Usha Martin, Usha Beltron Shipping Corporation of India, Jain Construction

Important Public Sector Undertakings & Govt. Institutions

* Heavy Engineering Corporation Ltd., Dhurwa
* Garden Reach Ship Builder's Ltd, Dhurwa
* MECON Ltd. Doranda
* Research & Development Centre for SAILAlso known as RDCIS, the centre was established in 1974 as the corporate R&D of Steel Authority of India Ltd. Today it is the largest and most reputed Steel Research Centre of the country. The centre boasts of over 350 scientists and a huge array of sophisticated research /test equipment. Besides addressing to the R&D needs of SAIL (Steel Authority of India Ltd), the centre also provides diverse scientific services to other organisations on contract basis.
* CET, SAIL
* MTI, SAIL
* CMPDI
* National Institute of Foundry Forge Technology, Hatia
* Central Coalfield Limited (CCL)

Central Government Offices

* The Accountant General's Office, Doranda
* Income Tax Office, Main Road
* Divisional Railway Manager's Office, Hatia
* BSNL, Albert Ekka Chowk
* General Post Office, Albert Ekka Chowk
* Forest Office, Doranda

Health care facilities and important hospitals

The city is traditionally the medical centre for the entire region of about 400 km in radius. Many hospitals, both private and public, dot the city.

* The Rajendra Medical College now known as Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences RIMS is the largest of three medical colleges in the state. Excellent Neurodiagnostic facilities exist in the Advanced Diagnostic Centre.

* The most famous Indian corporate hospital chain (Apollo Hospitals Group) runs a private hospital on the outskirts of the city. This hospital needs a proper maintenance.

* In the field of Tuberculosis, the Ramakrishna Mission is running a TB [http://www.rkmtbs.org Sanatorium] on the Ranchi-Khunti Road near Tupudana for nearing 6 decades.

* Seva Sadan
* HEC Hospital
* MECON Hospital
* Raj Hospital
* Guru Nanak Hospital
* Saint Barnabas Hospital
* Seven Day Adventist Hospital
* K.C.Roy Memorial Hospital
* E.S.I. Hospital (Namkum)
* Ranchi is famous across India for its psychiatric care centers. Ranchi has some of the largest facilities for mentally-challenged patients at Kanke. There are three major hospitals taking care of patients with psychiatric illnesses.

# Central Institute of Psychiatry, Kanke
# RINPAS, Kanke
# Davis Institute of Neuropsychiatry, Kanke

Tourist attractions

Temples

* Rajrappa Mandir About 65 km from Ranchi for the worship of Goddess Kali, known as Chhinnamastika. Also a tourist place; has great picnic spots.
* Pahari Temple - Heart of the city
* Durga Badi - Near Firayalal Chowk at the heart of the city.
* Jagannathpur Temple - Built in the architectural style of Puri temples about 300 years old
* Surya Temple - 38 km from Ranchi on Ranchi-Tata NH Road
* Bhawani Shankar Mandir Temple, Ginjo Thakur Gaon - 25 km from Ranchi on Ratu Road NH Road (12 km from Ratu in the way of Ratu - Burmu Road)
* Parasnath or Shikharjee - A major pilgrimage of the Jain's about 200 km from Ranchi in Girdih District.
* Ramakrishna Mission and Ashram, Morhabadi, Ranchi
* [http://www.rkmtbs.org Ramakrishna Mission Ashram and T B Sanatorium] , Tupudana, Ranchi
* Dewri Temple - 58 km from Ranchi on Ranchi-Tata NH 33 road
* Doranda Jain Mandir - 4 km from Ranchi
* Head Quarters of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, founded by Paramahansa Yogananda, situated about 200 metres from Ranchi railway station.Dhurwa dam 2 km from vidhan sabha
* [http://www.yssofindia.org]

Hirini Falls are One Of the Famous Falls of Ranchi(Jharkhand)

Festivals

Ranchi is home to people of many castes, creeds and sects. All festivals are celebrated with pomp, glory and in harmony. People from nearby as well as far off places visit Ranchi during the holidays.

* Jagannathpur Mela-Held at the Jagannath Temple, Ranchi during summer ever year.
* Saraswati Puja
* Kali Puja
* Holi
* Durga Puja
* Diwali
* Vishwakarma Puja
* Id - Ul -Fitre
* Id - Ul - Zoha
* Muharram
* Sarhul
* Karam
* World Indigenous Day, August 9
* Sohrai
* Christmas
* Easter
* Jharkhand Formation Day
* Mahavir Jayanti

Parks and resorts

* Nakshatra Van - Heart of the city, near Raj Bhawan (Governor's House)
* Birsa Zoological Park - 14 km from Ranchi
* Night Safari - 14 km from Ranchi
* Deer Park - 16 km from Ranchi on Ranchi-Khunti Road
* Sidhu Kaanhu Park - Heart of the city
* Dr. Zakhir Hussain Park - Heart of the city
* Ranchi Hill - Pahari Baba Temple - Heart of the city.
* Tagore hill - Morabadi, 5 km from the center of the city
* Rock Garden - Kanke Road, 4 km from the center of the city
* Fun Castle - Ratu, 7 km from Ranchi
* Crocodile Farm - Ormanjhi, 19 km from Ranchi

Other than these recognized parks (most of which have entry fee), there are many open playgrounds which are vanishing fast as the government/administration has decided that massive constructions on available government lands (which will create more traffic and pollution in the choking narrow roads) is the way to progress, and the fact that a city requires open playgrounds where youngsters can go to play and have healthy recreational activity is easily overlooked.

Water resorts

* Ranchi Lake - Heart of the city
* Dhurwa Dam
* Rukka Dam - 16 km from Ranchi
* Aqua World - Heart of the city
* Dassam Falls - About 40 km from Ranchi on Ranchi-Tata NH Road
* Jonha Falls - About 35 km from Ranchi
* Sita Falls - near to Jonha falls
* Hundru Falls - 30 km from Ranchi
* Hirni Falls - 90 km towards Chakradharpur
* Panch Ghaat - 50 km from ranchi
* Rani fall (Soeko) - 55 km from ranchi
* Perwaghagh (Torpa) - 75 km from ranchi
* Ghaghri fall (Bero) - 45 km from ranchi
* Kanke Dam - 7 km from main road ranchi
* Baghmunda(Basia) - 100km from Ranchi

Radio and TV

The city has a Doordarshnn TV Centre where local programs are produced and broadcasted. There are also some local news channels delivered through the cable TV network.PBL Nazar,Jharkhand TV etc.Besides these local channels, ETV Bihar/Jharkhand and Sahara Samay Bihar/ Jharkhand are two regional channels for this state run by national news network.

Besides the AIR (All India Radio) run Vividh Bharti 103.3 FM,radio station, there are private FM Channels as well. Rdaiomantra 91.9 FM...(life ka mantra) is owned by the Dainik Jagran Media house. Big 92.7 FM which a joint venture by Anil Dhirubhai Ambani and Adlabs, 104.8 Radio Dhoom owned by the state's most popular media house Prabhat Khabar has recently been launched and the B.A.G group's venture 106.4 FM Radio Dhamaal comprises of the Fm channel network in Ranchi.

Cricket

Cricket is a popular sport in Ranchi. M.S. Dhoni, the captain of Indian One Day Cricket and T20 Team, was born and lives in Ranchi. He lead the team to win the T-20 cricket world cup. The popularity of cricket in the state has grown by leaps and bounds, after Dhoni was made captain of the Indian Cricket Team.

Important Land Marks

* Albert Ekka Chowk
* Shaheed Chowk
* Argora Chowk
* Harmoo Chowk
* Booty More
* Kanta Toli Chowk
* Over Bridge
* Birsa Chowk
* HEC Golchakker
* dhurwa more
* Morabadi Maidan
* Hinoo Chowk
* AG More
* Kutchery Chowk
* Ratan Talkies
* Fun Castle (Ratu)
* Hesag
* Karamtoli Chowk
* Chiraundi
* Lalpur Chowk
* Namkum Chowk (Army Base)
* Kali Nagar (Tea Garden, Namkum)
* Sadabahar Chowk

References

Vivekananda Marga

External links

*
* [http://www.ranchi.nic.in/ Official Website for Ranchi]
* [http://www.ranchiinfo.com/ Portal for Ranchi and Jharkhand]
* [http://palash.cards.googlepages.com/ Ranchi's Artists Group - 'CARDS', web page]
* [http://speedsolutions.co.in Web Development Company at Ranchi]