Lalgola

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Lalgola | type = city | latd = 24.42 | longd = 88.25
locator_position = right | state_name = West Bengal
district = Murshidabad
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 23
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 267563| population_density = 1997
area_magnitude=
area_total = 134
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio = 955
unlocode =
website = murshidabad.gov.in/
footnotes = CD Bloc

Lalgola ( _bn. লালগোলা) is a small town, community delevelopment bloc situated near the Bangladesh border in the sub-division of Lalbagh in the district of Murshidabad, West Bengal. It is situated on the top of the delta of Ganges.

Lalgola, located 225 km north of Kolkata, is bounded by a number of big and small lakes, small temples and mosques. This city is famed for the Lalgola Survey Centre of CIFRI [http://www.icar.org.in/cicfri.html] and the Lalgola Open Air Prison.

History

In the pre-independence time, this area was an important business hub. After independence, Lalgola lost its glory and importance mainly due to being border town.Fact|date=August 2008 The place still is a commercial center - wheat, jute and legumes being the main trading items.

Geography

Lalgola is located at coord|24.42|N|88.25|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/28/Lalgola.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Lalgola] ] . It has an average elevation of m to ft|23|m|abbr=on. It is situated almost on the bank of river Padma, and thus the north and east of the town is bounded by Bangladesh. Padma is changed name of Ganges after entering into Bangladesh from India, In this geographical area, river Padma is taken as International border. It is at the north-eastern end of the district and is 225 km from Kolkata.

The weather/climate is similar to the rest of Gangetic West Bengal. Maximum temperature during summer is 45°C and minimum during winter is 8°-10°C. Here, anybody can experience a very good feel of all the six seasons.Lalgola is located at 24.25° N 88.15° E [1]

Healthcare

Lalgola is visited by the populace from its surrounding habitats and villages everyday in hundreds. They are used to their regular trips to this busy town mainly for trading purpose. Lalgola also acts as an important transit point for farm products, which are transported to the bigger cities after being brought here from nearby villages. Krishnapur Primary Health Centre is the only hospital here. A number of Doctors (Local/Visiting) are also available and can be approached at any time of the day/night. Lalgola Sanjeeban ( Voluntary Organisation )is working in various field of health like Blood collection.

Demographics

In the 2001 census, Lalgola community development bloc had a total population of 267,563 of which 136,853 were males and 130,710 were females. Decadal growth for the period 1991-2001 was 29.40% for Lalgola, against 23.70% in Murshidabad district. Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84%. [cite web | url = http://www.wbcensus.gov.in/DataTables/02/Table4_7.htm | title = Provisional population totals, West Bengal, Table 4, Murshidabad District | accessdate = 2008-08-22 | last = | first = | work = Census of India 2001 | publisher = Census Commission of India]

Lalgola Bloc had a total scheduled caste population of 28,222 and a scheduled tribe population of 2,365. [cite web | url = http://www.wbcensus.gov.in/HouseListingF/SCST/All_distSCST(TRU1)7.htm | title = TRU for all Districts (SC & ST and Total) | accessdate = 2008-08-22 | last = | first = | work = Census 2001 | publisher =Census Commission of India ]

Culture

The Laila Foundation is the leading in the area to enhance the cultural activities.

Festivals

Almost all major and minor Hindu and Muslim festivals are celebrated here. A realization of popular Bengali proverb 'Baro Mase Tero Parbon' ('Thirteen festivals during twelve months of the year') can be observed here. Durga Puja is the main festival here. The whole area comes alive with pandals in every nook and corner of Lalgola. Eid is also celebrated here with lots of enthusiasm as a major portion of the population is Muslim. The celebration is not restricted to the townsfolk. People come in large numbers from neighboring villages. Apart from this all the other local festivals are celebrated.

Though, grammatically, any flower show can't be taken as festival, still, local Flower Show and Exhibition, organised by 'Phoolobithi', generally held during 8th, 9th and 10th January every year (8th January is the foundation day of Lalgola Mahesh Narayan Academy), is an annual festival of colour and fragrance for the natives of Lalgola. This was first conceived by 'Kalarab' in the year 1986.

Education

chools

In Lalgola, most well-known educational institution (Upto Class XII)is Lalgola Mahesh Narayan Academy. This school was established almost a century ago in 1914 AD by the then king of Lalgola Maharaja Jogendra Narayan Ray in the name of his father.

Another school, Lalgola Rahmatullah High Madrasah is recognised by W.B. Madrasah board and was established in 1924 AD.

Libraries

Lalgola M.N.Academy (Public) Town Library (Established in 1913 AD)

Amongst other premiere institutions Sailaja Memorial Girls' High School, situated near 'Kalkali' (once upon a time, this was a tributary to the river Padma) and Laskarpur High School ,Chamapara Primary School are most well known.

Colleges

Although having a very rich educational and cultural background, unfortunately, Lalgola had no college till recently. In the year 2006, people of Lalgola took strong initiatives and established a college. The college started functioning from the academic year of 2007-2008.

Politics

Being situated in a state ruled by Left parties for the last 30 years, Lalgola assembly seat is surprisingly almost a confirmed seat for INC. Though, over the years, winning margin decreased.

Lalgola is part of Murshidabad (Lok Sabha constituency). [cite web
url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S25/WB_Dist_PC_AC.pdf
title = Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies
accessdate = 2008-10-02
work = West Bengal
publisher = Election Commission of India ]

Open air jail

Probably, the most special thing about Lalgola is that, the first 'Open Air Jail', officially – [http://www.westbengalprisons.org/openjail.html 'Lalgola Open Air Correctional Home'] , was founded here in the year 1987. For this purpose Sri Birendra Narayan Roy, popularly known as Biren Roy, descendants of Lalgola Raj family and erstwhile king of Lalgola, gifted their residential palace to the Government. Royal residence made way first for female lunatic convicts and later, from 1987, the open-air correctional home.Open Air Correctional Home is a relatively new and revolutionary concept. Situated over 100 acres of land and mango garden comprising of about 1000 mango trees, this Open Air Jail is a correction home for the prisoners. Convicts sentenced to imprisonment for a period of 7 years or more and such of them as have already served 2/3rd of their sentence and have maintained all along a good jail record are eligible for transfer to the open jail after thorough screening and personal interview by a board constituted for such selection.Surprisingly, inmates get freedom to go out during day time (06:00 hrs to 20:00 hrs). They have their own source of income in the forms of cultivation, goods shops (given by the Prison Authority), Private Tuition. They even get quarter for their families.

References

External links