Haldwani

Haldwani (Template:Lang-Garhwali/Hindi) is a city, which along with its twin township of Kathgodam forms the Haldwani-Kathgodam (हल्द्वानी-काठगोदाम) municipal board in Nainital District in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.

Haldwani is the third most populous city in Uttarakhand, and is known as the "Gateway of Kumaon". In Kumaoni, the local dialect, the place is called "Halduvani", literally "forest (vana) of Haldu", after the tree named "Haldu", often referred to as "Kadamb" (Haldina cordifolia), which was found in abundance prior to deforestation for agriculture and settlement.

In 1816, after the British defeated Gorkhas, Gardner was appointed the Commissioner of Kumaon. Later George William Trail took over as Commissioner and renamed Halduvani as Haldwani in 1834. Though British records suggest that the place was established in 1834, as a mart for hill people who visited the Bhabhar (Himalayan foothills) region, during the cold season.

History

Kathgodam as a part of the United Province, 1903

Mughal historians mention that in 14th century, a local ruler, Gyan Chand of Chand Dynasty, visited Delhi Sultanate and received the regions of Bhabhar- Terai up to the Ganges as a grant from then Sultan. Later, the Mughals tried to take over the hills, but their attempts received a setback due to the difficult terrain.

In 1856, Sir Henry Ramsay took over as the Commissioner of Kumaon. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, it was briefly seized by the rebels of Rohilkhand, soon martial law was declared in the region by Sir Henry Ramsay, and by 1858, the region was cleared of the rebels.

Later, Ramsay connected Nainital with Kathgodam by road in 1882. In 1883-84, the railway track was laid between Bareilly and Kathgodam. The first train arrived at Haldwani from Lucknow on 24 April 1884. Later, the railway line was extended to Kathgodam.

In 1901, with a population of 6,624, Haldwani was the headquarters of the Bhabhar region of Nainital District, in the United Province, and it also used to become the winter headquarters of the officers of the Kumaun Division and of Nainital District. The Arya Samaj Bhavan was built in 1901 and Sanatan Dharm Sabha in 1902. The Tehsil office was opened here in 1899, when it became the tehsil headquarters of the Bhabhar, one of four division of Nainital district, and included 4 towns and 511 villages; and had a combined population of 93,445 (1901), spread over 1,279 sq. miles. Though before the formation of Nainital district in 1891, it was part of the Kumaon District, which was later called Almora district.

In 1904, it was consitituted as a 'notified area' and in 1907 Haldwani got the status of town area.

Gora Padao, 4 km south of Haldwani was named after a British camp/post at that location in the mid-19th century, Gora being a slang for the British.

Haldwani-Kathgodam Municipal Council was established on 21 September 1942. Currently it is the third largest Municipal Council in the state of Uttarakhand after Haridwar.

Geography

Haldwani is located at 29.22°N 79.52°E / 29.22; 79.52. It has an average elevation of 424 metres (1,391 feet). Geologically, Haldwani is settled on a piedmont grade (called Bhabhar) where the mountain rivers go underground to re-emerge in the Indo-Gangetic plain. It has historically been a trading post and then a hub between the hilly regions of Kumaon and the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

Overview

Eight kilometres north of Haldwani at Ranibagh is Chitrashila Ghat, the venerable Hindu cremation ground. A fair called Uttarayani (also called Ghughutiya in Kumaoni) is held here on Makar Sankranti (on 13-14 of January) every year. To the south of Haldwani lies Pantnagar famous for its Pantnagar University. The Gaula river runs to the east, and to the west is the fertile agricultural region of Lamachaur and Kaladhungi merging into the world-renowned Corbett National Park.

Long in the shadow of its famous hill cousins, the Haldwani area has a lot to offer by the way of quaint villages, rolling deciduous forests and open spaces outside the urban sprawl.

Famous Personalities like G.B. Pant, Narayan Dutt Tewari etc. have been associated with Haldwani.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Haldwani-Kathgodam had a population of 279,140. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Haldwani-Kathgodam has an average literacy rate of 89%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 93%, and female literacy is 78%. In Haldwani-Kathgodam, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Haldwani is a very beautiful town..Dewalchor is very famous palce in haldwani.

Culture, Sub culture & lifestyle

Since Haldwani is termed as the "Gateway of Kumaon" the region is dominated by Kumaoni people but still it is home to a significant percentage of people belonging to other religions and regions. One can find variety in all aspects from dishes to clothings and from dialect to architecture.Because of the dominance of Kumoani culture, Kumoani craftwork is usually visible in all aspects of Haldwani. Rock and popular English music is finding a good market in the rapidly expanding music market along with traditional Pahadi music of the state. Drinking is not considered a taboo anymore, given that the person doesn't drink in noon time, and is busy with his own job. Haldwani's people are usually very generous and also give good donations in all religious happening across the city. All types of National holidays are observed in the city with full joy. A small town till about 2 decades ago, rapid urbanization due to a number of factors has contributed to its rise as a regional hub trading in modern amenities and a better infrastructure (roads, shopping centres and hospitals). Haldwani is said to be a "Great city shadowed by Nainital". Haldwani at all geo-political bases is always above Nainital town which is the District centre. The Govt. policy of "Polishing" Nainital and doing nothing for the ever big Haldwani city, has left the citizens of Haldwani demanding Haldwani as a new District headquarters in place of Nainital, or creating a new District called Haldwani consisting the Bhabhar area of Kumaon excluding the hilly Nainital. Many uprisings were led by the local public since independence with the demand for the creation of new District.

Education

Haldwani is home to the schools which provide an exceptionally high standard of pre-college education, without the elitism and expenses associated with the residential hill schools of Uttarakhand. The best schools of Haldwani are Nirmala Convent Sr. Sec. School and st theresa sr. sec school, few other local schools are A.B.M Senior Secondary School, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Senior Sec. School, Naini Valley School, Kendriya Vidhyalaya,beersheba senior secondary school, White Hall School, Unchapul. Maharishi Vidya Mandir, Queens Public school, aryaman vikaram birla institute of leearning, St. Paul's Sr. Sec. School,Inspiration public school, Little flower school, Amrapali Institute - Lamachaur, ADVAYA classes ( a coaching classes for IIT-JEE/AIEEE/PMT),akash(for IIT-JEE/AIEEE/PMT) is the only institute in the city, which is fully run by IITians . D.A.V. Centenary Public School, The Heritage School which is one of the finest school in the town, Aryaman Vikram Birla, Dikshant International Pre-School, Aacharya Narendra Dev Vidyalaya (near Block Office), Hargovind Suyal Sharashwati Vidya Mandir Inter college, Maharishi Vidya Mandir, Haldwani, Govt. Inter College Banbhoolpura, Govt. Girls Inter College Haldwani, Mahatma Gandhi Inter College, H.N. Inter College, M.B. Inter College. Having One Degree College Moti Ram Babu Ram Govt. (Post Graduate) College. It has a premier university of agriculture and technology nearby namely Pantnagar University. It also has Sikkim Manipal University, Learning Center providing Management & IT Programs under the distance education mode address IT Campus, Tikonia Haldwani,ARENA ANIMATION(NAWABI ROAD), NIIT Education centre which has been providing careers in the global IT industry to the local students.

Uttarakhand Open University

Main article: Uttarakhand Open University

The University was established by an Act Of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly on 31 October 2005 with a view to democratize education, so that it covers large segments of population, vocations and professions. Uttarakhand Open University is the only Open University in Uttarakhand... In the opening years of Uttarakhand Open University, corruption cases against the Principal and the mentor happened to arrive. This resulted in a gloomy future of the University.

Govt. Shusila Tiwari Medical College

• A medical college (Sushila Tiwari Memorial(Uttarakhand Forest Hospital Trust ) Medical College), established by former CM N.D. Tiwari Ji.

Swami Rama Cancer Hospital and Research Institute is an affiliated institute which was envisioned to provide state-of-the-art treatment to cancer patients of Uttarakhand. Dr. Abhishek Singh, radiation and clinical oncologist at the institute feels need of efforts for cancer awareness in school children and general public of Kumaun region as well as Uttarakhand. the Medical college is now undertaken by government in 2009.So its now GOVERNMENT SUSHILA TIWARI MEDICAL COLLEGE. Its a college in uttarakhand which provides medical degree in only Rs.15000/-, but still most of the free seats are not taken up by local students, because of the fear that they would be sent to distant places in the country-side. This fear is being taken in consideration by the Govt. of the State and they are planning for some more benefits for medical students, so that both students and the public are treated equally..

Economy

Well connected with the Indo-Gangetic plain by road (to New Delhi, Dehradun and Lucknow) and rail (New Delhi, Lucknow and Agra), Haldwani is an important commercial hub. It is home to one of the largest vegetable, fruit and foodgrain markets in Northern India i.e. Kumaon. Being the gateway to most of Kumaon and parts of Garhwal, it is an important revenue center of Uttarakhand based on its advantageous location as a base depot for goods in transit to the hills. The Gaula river is exploited for a large quantity of boulders, sand and gravels every year, and forms an important revenue source for both the government and local business.

Hotels

• Hotel Maharani,Nainital Road,Haldwani is a 3 star hotel.For more details and information please contact:05946-281550,281551. |
• Hotel Comfort Inn Saurabh Haldwani is a 3 star hotel. |
• Jaiguru Plaza, Nainital Road, Haldwani |
• Amrapali Hotel,Judge court Nainital road , Haldwani |
• OK Hotel is a 5 star hotel,Nainital road , Haldwani |

Cuisine

Some local delicacies are:

• Bal Mithai ("Chocolate" Mithai)
• Bhatt ka joula
• Muli ka thechua
• Kakdi raee ka raita
• Gathi
• Gaderi ki sabzi
• Gauhat ki daal
• Lason ka lur
• Ras Bhat
• Jholi Bhat
• Bathue ka Paratha
• Madwe ki roti
• Bhatt ki churkani
• Bari bhat
• Bhang ki chatny
• Kaapa Bhaat
• Churkani
• Dhai ka Jaula
• Papad Ki Sabzi
• Peenalu Ki Sabzi
• Malta (fruit)
• Allu Gutuk
• Chanda Devi aur Saladi ka Raita
• Pinalu Gutuk
• Tinar
• Lai ka saag
• kafhal(fruit)
• khumani(fruit)
• pulam(fruit)

Schools

Nirmala School (Number 1 school based on board results) Aryaman Vikram Birla (Most famous school and number 2 due to array of facilities it provides) List of some other schools which provide Higher Secondary education:-

1 . Nirmala convent
2 . Darpan Children Garden
www.darpanchildrengarden.com
3 . Guru Tek Bahadur Public school
4 . Beersheba Sr. Sec. School
5 . St.Pauls Sr. Sec. School
6 . St. Theresa Sr. Sec. School
7 . Himalaya Sr sec school
8 . Queen Public school
9 . ABM Public sr.sec School
10 . Sacred Hearts Public School
11 . DAV Centenary Public School
12 . Maharishi Vidya Mandir Public School

Some noted schools for small children are Parvatiya Shishu Niketan, Pratibha Vikas School and Tikku Modern.

Haldwani has many schools, and actually there are different educational houses which are providing education to the local children.

Connectivity

Haldwani is well connected to the capital Delhi via road and air.

The nearest airport is Pantnagar airport with connecting flight of jackson airways to delhi.
The railway station is Haldwani railway station with four trains running per day to delhi.

Future plans

There are various developmental plans for the city owing to its importance in the state of Uttarakhand. These include building of additional infrastructure like stadium, flyover, bus terminus and industrial complex. All this has come at a cost - the last 20 years have seen an explosion in the demographics leading to a creaking infrastructure. The city is struggling to live up to its sobriquet of "Green City". The shortage of water in the Gaula river has forced the Administration to create some new projects for water harvesting and also increase of number of water treatment plants. Haldwani is said to be a fast growing educational hub of Uttarakhand. Many new institutions are open in lower Haldwani areas. Since, the success of 108 Mobile medical van services across the province, the Govt. is planning to expand this service in a better way for the more populated Haldwani city. Haldwani's forests which bear the best timber (cite?) anywhere in India and South Asia, are for now in a motion of significant demand because of their best quality. So the Govt. is also planning to keep the forestry as green as it always was.

External links

• Haldwani city guide