Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar Gandhinagar (गांधीनगर) Ecopolite city
capital
Population  (2008)
• Total	195,891

Gandhinagar (Hindi: गांधीनगर Gujarati: ગાંધીનગર)() is the capital of the state of Gujarat in Western India. Gandhinagar is located on the West Central point of the Industrial Corridor between the capital, Delhi and the financial capital, Mumbai.

Etymology

In 1960, when the old Bombay State was bifurcated into the present states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Bombay city fell to the share of Maharastra. It was then decided to build and entirely new capital for Gujarat.

Gandhinagar, Gujarat's new capital city, lies on the west bank of the Sabarmati river, about 464 kms. far away from Mumbai, the financial and Economical capital of India. Gandhinagar presents the spacious, well-organized look of an architecturally integrated city.

Around the Central Government compels, stretch 30 sectors into which the city has been divided. Each sector has its own shopping and community center, primary school, health center, Government and private housing. Apart from which there is a generous provision for wide open green parks, extensive planting and a large recreational area along the river giving the city a lush green garden-city atmosphere.

The famous Akshardham temple is located in Gandhinagar. There was, however, tremendous political pressure to make Gandhinagar a purely Indian enterprise, partly because the state of Gujarat was the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Kalia illumines Kahn's early influence in the city and his replacement by Doshi and then by American-trained H. K. Mewada, who had apprenticed with Le Corbusier in Chandigarh. Kalia shows that, unlike the other two cities, Gandhinagar would become emblematic of Gandhian ideals of swadeshi (Indigenous) goods and swaraj (self-rule).

History

In the 13th century, King Pethasinh of Pethapur, ruled over Shertha town. After the death of Pethasinh, the Sultanate of Patan used this land as battle ground. Sultan Ahmed Shah decided to move his capital from Patan to a new city, and built Ahmedabad. In 1960, Bombay state was split in two different states, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Ahmedabad became capital of Gujarat, and a new capital city was to be built on land which was once part of Pethapur state.

Panorama Of Gujarat Legislative Assembly

The city's infrastructure was planned by Louis Kahn, along with two Indian subplanners, H.K. Mewada and Prakash Apte. Its streets are numbered, and have cross streets named for Gujarati alphabets like "k" , "kh" , "g" , "gh" , "ch" , "chh" , "j" . All streets cross every kilometre, and at every crossing traffic circles decrease the speed of traffic.

The city has developed in four distinct phases:

• Phase 1: After the city's infrastructure was completed in 1970, and until 1980, it was known as 'Gandhian City,' since it was based on Gandhiji's concepts and principles.
• Phase 2: Between 1980 and 1990, a time of low pollution, it was known as 'Unpolluted City'.
• Phase 3: After 1990, many trees were planted, and the city became known as the 'Green City.'
• Phase 4: In 2002, Gujarat's Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, proposed a new, triple focus for the city: it should be green, it should utilize solar energy, and it should be cosmopolitan.

Geography

Gandhinagar has an average elevation of 81 metres (265 feet). The city sits on the banks of the Sabarmati River, in north-central-East Gujarat. The 20,543 km² Area Around Gandhinagar is defined by Gujarat capital Territory.It spans an area of 205 km² (79.15 square miles). The river frequently dries up in the summer, leaving only a small stream of water.

Climate

Gandhinagar
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     2.6     28 12     1.1     31 14     1     36 19     0.9     40 23     6     42 26     109     38 27     265     33 26     220     32 25     172     33 24     11     36 21     8.9     33 17     2.6     30 13 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source:
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.1     83 53     0     88 57     0     97 66     0     104 74     0.2     107 79     4.3     101 81     10     92 78     8.7     89 77     6.8     92 75     0.4     96 70     0.4     92 62     0.1     86 55 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Gandhinagar has a monsoon climate with three main seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. The climate is generally dry and hot outside of the monsoon season. The weather is hot from March to June when the maximum temperature stays in the range of 36 °C (97 °F) and 42 °C (108 °F), and the minimum in the range of 19 °C (66 °F) and 27 °C (81 °F). It is cool but never Really cold From November to February , the average maximum temperature is around 29 °C (85 °F), the average minimum is 14 °C (57 °F), and the climate is extremely dry. The southwest monsoon brings a humid climate from mid-June to mid-September. The average annual rainfall is around 803.4 mm (32 inches).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Gandhinagar had a population of 195,891. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Gandhinagar has an average literacy rate of 87.11%,: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 73%. In Gandhinagar, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Gandhinagar has population of above 21.5 lacs as per 2008 census.

Governance and politics

Further information: Gandhinagar (Lok Sabha constituency) and Chief Ministers of Gujarat

On 1st May, 1960, Gujarat was created out of the 17 northern districts of former State of Bombay. These districts were further subdivided later on. There are 25 administrative districts in the state (as of 2006). Gandhinagar is a politics hub for the state of gujrat. Sri L.k. Advani is Present Elected member for 19 years from Gandhinagar seat in Loksabha Election. Unlike other cities, Gandhinagar has its own administrative body 'The Capital Project devision' created by the government of Gujrat in 1965 AD.

Gujarat is governed by a Legislative Assembly of 182 members. Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) are elected on the basis of adult suffrage from one of 182 constituencies, of which 13 are reserved for scheduled castes and 26 for scheduled tribes. The term of office for a member of the Legislative Assembly is five years. The Legislative Assembly elects a speaker, who presides over the meetings of the legislature. A governor is appointed by the President of India, and his Assembly, and to address the House after every general election and the commencement of each year's first session of the Legislative Assembly. The leader of the majority party or coalition in the legislature (Chief Minister) or his or her designee acts as the Leader of the Legislative Assembly. The administration of the state is led by the Chief Minister.

Gujarat is one of the most politically conservative state in India. Both the ruling BJP and Congress in Gujarat are far more conservative than in the national scene.

After gaining Independence in 1947, the Indian National Congress party ruled the Bombay state (which included present-day Gujarat and Maharashtra). Congress continued to govern Gujarat after the state's creation in 1960. During and after India's State of Emergency of 1975-1977, public support for the Congress Party eroded, but it continued to hold government until 1995. In the 1995 Assembly Polls, the Congress lost to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Keshubhai Patel came to power. His Government lasted only 2 years. The fall of that government was provoked by a split in the BJP led by Shankersinh Vagheland has won most of the subsequent polls. In 2001, following the loss of 2 assembly seats in by-elections, Keshubhai Patel resigned and yielded power to Narendra Modi. The BJP retained a majority in the 2002 election, and Narendra Modi has since served as Chief Minister of the state. On 1 June 2007, Narendra Modi became the longest serving Chief Minister of Gujarat. Once again the polls (Dec'07) elected Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP retained a majority once again in 2007 and Narendra Modi returned to power in the State once again.

Economy

Industries

The Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation oversees the planning of industrial facilities and areas, and the appropriate infrastructure.

Infocity

The Infocity: Information Technology (IT) park project is developed based on the concept of "A City within a city" and a 24/7 work culture, which provides build-up space, IT plots, residential units, club-house and lifestyle facilities, educational facilitates.

The Infocity is global ITeS outsourcing hub in Gujarat, India provides world-class infrastructure to BPO, KPO, software development and other ITeS outsourcing companies.

It is strategically developed on a prime area of 150 acres in the greenest Capital City in Asia - Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. between the national capital Delhi and the financial capital Mumbai, both reachable in one hour of flight time.

On a most desirable location in the fastest growing knowledge corridor of Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar region (with 6 million+ population), Infocity is conveniently located on National Highway 8, connecting New Delhi and Mumbai, and is a 10–15-minute drive from the Ahmedabad International and Domestic airport via a six-lane express way.

The project has also received the award for best conceptualized IT Park in India.

Infocity is all geared up to meet with the demand for next phase of IT, BPO and Life sciences growth by offering cost advantage both in real state infrastructure as well as large potentially untapped human resource pool in the state of Gujarat.

Technology innovation at lightning speed

The next generation technology is going to be based at Gandhinagar Infocity. It is not only going to be the heart of high tech businesses and software industry of India but also going to give tough competition to the silicon valley. Gandhinagar Infocity is a heart of software industry of India. Hundreds of high technology companies are headquartered in infocity; among those, the few are in the Fortune 1000. Befitting its heritage, Gujarat infocity is home to the high-tech companies targeting to make notable contribution in software industry.

Infocity Gandhinagar has an IT infrastructure project, based on the concept of "A City within a city" and a 24/7 work culture. Developed on 116 acres, Infocity provides 4-mn sq ft of IT Built Up Space and supporting infrastructure and services.

Software Technology Park of India

Further information: Software Technology Parks of India

India’s rapidly growing strengths and capabilities in IT had given a confidence that Indian IT Industry will provide a great economic growth of global standing in the foreseeable future. Identifying IT as an area of focus, the Government of India had promulgated a policy in 1986 making “Software Exports, Software Development and services and Training” as an area of prime importance. Further identification of factors hindering the growth of the software industry by the Government led to the creation of Software Technology Park Scheme in order to encourage and enhance software exports from the country.

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) was established and registered as an autonomous society on 6 June 1991 under the Society Regulation Act 1860, under the Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications and Information technology, Government of India.

Gujarat International Finance-Tec City

Further information: Gujarat International Finance Tec-City

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company Limited (GIFTCL) and Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited IL&FS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cisco for the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) project in presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

The capital of Gujarat has emerged as one of the fastest growing regions in the country. In addition to housing one of the largest manufacturing bases in India, Gujarat also accounts for a disproportionately large share of the investor and entrepreneurial population in the country. Recognizing the potential of the state as a centre for the financial services industry, the government of Gujarat formulated GIFT as a mega project to realize this vision. Thus, land (initially 550 acre) in Administrative Capital of the State has been allotted for the development of a Central Finance and Business District (CFBD). GIFT is conceptualized as a global financial and IT services hub.

GIFT is developed as India's first major supertall CBD project that is designed to be the focal point of India’s booming financial services market-comprehensive infrastructure, power, verticalized office space, and a well designed, planned and expandable urban form. Its strong proximity and infrastructure connectivity with Mumbai ensures that mutually beneficial development occurs between the two metros. GIFT is designed as an environmentally friendly development that will have the lowest per capital energy consumption of any Indian metro. The project itself will have a green area covering 65% of the total land, in large part due to the number of skyscrapers.

Transportation

Air

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport located in Ahmedabad provides connectivity with domestic flights to the Metropolitans and other major cities of India. It also provides a few International flights.

Rail

Ahmedabad Railway Station in Ahmedabad is the nearest rail junction which provides connectivity with major cities and towns of India. Capital Railway Station is Recently Developed by Capital project Devision & Gandhinagar Road & Building Department. Somnath - Jabalpur Express for Bhopal Junction, Jabalpur, Ratlam, Ujjain, Saugor, Jaipur-Bandra Garib Rath , Haridwar mail for Delhi and Haridwar and Shanti Express for Indore Junction BG. The Indian Railways transports are Available for Moving in Northern India & Eastern India From Kalol Railway Station.

Metrolink express for Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad

The Governing Body of Gujarat planned for rapid transit in the city by proposing the MetroLink Express Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (MEGA) also known as the Ahmedabad Metro. The contract for the four corridors of the system were awarded to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) which also manages the Delhi Metro.. Delhi Metro carried out a pre-feasibility survey in 2004-05. In 2003, when the project was conceived, its cost was worked out at Rs 4,500 crore.

Gandhinagar Metro
Overview
Owner	Government of Gujarat
Locale	Gandhinagar, India
Transit type	Rapid Transit
Number of lines	4
Operation
Operator(s)	MEGACL

The DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd) has already done its techno-feasibility study and submitted its report. Gujarat government has recently re-approached Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for a modified detailed project report (DRP) for a metro rail project in Ahmedabad.

Road

Gandhinagar is connected to Surat, Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai through National Highway 8A. It is connected to Ahmedabad through the National Highway 8C.

Local transport

city bus service (GH 3 bus stop in the background).

Gandhinagar got its own city bus service in August 2009. The city bus service is operated by VTCOS. In the first phase of city based transportation service, a total of eleven buses running on compressed natural gas have been allotted. CNG auto-rickshaws and VTCOS CT-buses are available, maintained by Gandhinagar Notified Area (GNA). Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) buses provide transport in and outside the state.

Bus Rapid Transit System

Ahmedabad BRTS is the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) for the city of Ahmedabad. It is a highly ambitious rapid transport system developed by Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB), recognizing that Bus transport forms the most critical segment of the public transport system in the Gandhinagar city. GIDB has thereby entrusted the system design task to CEPT University. A part of first corridor connecting Pirana to R.T.O. was opened to public on October 14 2009 by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad have a combined population of 45 lakhs (4.5 million)., which is likely to be 11 million by the year 2035. This would lead to agglomeration of surrounding settlements like kalol and other smaller villages, which ultimately increases the area of the city, which may become 1,000 km² in the year 2035. Moreover, about 1/3 of total as well as student population reside within walking distance from the proposed BRTS network. Thus, there is a growing need for greater accessibility to basic amenities and opportunities for mobility in the city. In such a state of rapid urbanization, it is very essential to have an efficient and rapid transit system, which will sustain and accelerate the growth of the city. In order to cater this future demand, the city and State Government has initiated a Plan for Integrated Public Transit System, in which BRTS is one of the components. This will facilitate the major mobility need of the people. In future, this system will get integrated with Gandhinagar Metro by the addition of two lines running through east to west and north to south.

Education

Schools in Gandhinagar are affiliated with the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board and Central Board. Under the (10+2 Plan), students complete ten years of schooling, and then enroll in Higher Secondary School, where they choose from one of three streams: Arts, Commerce or Science. Which is then followed by either a general degree course in a chosen field of study, or a professional degree course, such as law, engineering, medicine etc. Government Of Gujarat Has Developed Knowledge Corridor in Gandhinagar Region. Maximum Institutes are Available in Gandhinagar region.There are All Streams Colleges & institutes Available in City Including Major part of National & International Institutes & Universities in Gujarat, They Are listed Below.

• Government college of Enginearing - Sector 28
• Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology
• National Institute of Design, Gandhinagar
• National Institute of Fashion Technology
• Gujarat National Law University
• Gujarat Forenscic Science University
• School of Solar Energy
• Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India
• Central University Of Gujarat
• Bapu Gujarat Knowledge Village
• International Institute Of Fashion Design
• Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar

• Institute for Plasma Research
• Institute of Advance Research
• LDRP Institute of Technology and Research
• National Institute Of Communication management
• Bhaskaracharya Institute Of Geo - Informatics
• Institute Of Hotel Management
• Pandeet Deen Dayal Petroleum University
• School Of Liberal Studies - PDPU Campus
• School Of Petroleum Technology
• School of Nuclear Energy - PDPU Campus
• School Of Petroleum Management
• Industrial Training Institute

Culture and cuisine

See also: Raas

There are four groups of people who came to inhabit this land at different points of time and now form the majority here. Jats came from a place in Iran called Half (to be known latter as Jat) and they were herders by occupation. Around five hundred years ago they came to Kutch and Sind in search of new grazing pastures and settled there. Those who joined agriculture called themselves Garasia Jats and those who continued their ancestral occupation were known as Dhanetah Jats, and those who chose to study the Koran became Fakirani Jats.

The Harijan is the name given by Mahatma Gandhi to the Meghwals, who originally came from Marwar in Rajasthan. They are the masters of weaving cotton and wool as also embroidery and appliqué work. The Ahirs came with Lord Krishna from Gokul in Uttar Pradesh.

Most of the communities of Ahirs began with selling ghee and milk and are now spread all over the state.

Crafts in Gujarat are a way of life, a process that transforms even the most mundane object of daily use into a thing of beauty. The skill of the Gujarati craftsperson-be it a weaver or a metalworker, a woman who embroiders for herself or a potter who creates pieces of art out of clay-is bound to leave one spellbound.

Wood carving is another important craft in Gujarat, evident in the many elaborately carved temples, havelis (mansions) and palaces as well as objects of daily and ritual use. Utensils are another area where the craftspersons of Gujarat have excelled.

Gujarat is also famous for its terracotta work, especially votive terra-cotta figurines which one can find by the hundreds at small shrines built in forests, along roads, outside villages, on lonely hill-tops and under large trees, especially in south Gujarat.

Jewelry is yet another fascinating craft in Gujarat. Each tribe or clan has different types of ornaments and each of them has retained the uniqueness of these ornaments.

Performing Arts and Culture form an important means of expression of the Indian ethos. Different states practice different dance forms, classical music and have their own share of folklore. Programs are organized to showcase these performing arts and artists, who have kept these age old art forms alive, through their practice of it. The Performing arts in Gujarat are some of the most colorful and the performers in question are great exponents of their specialized arts. The different regions of Gujarat come alive, especially during Navratri, which is considered to be one of their prominent festivals. Many forms of dances are performed during this time, which are steeped in the fragrance of legends and romance – Raas is one of them.

Raas is a very energetic dance, where color and gaiety play important parts. It is performed with a lot of gusto and the body language, eye contact, expressions and rhythm plays a major part here. Two circles formed by men and women revolve in clockwise and anti clockwise movements, while clanging their dandias with their respectve partners. They have to move according to the rhythm of the music and as well as clang their dandias.

Raas is one of the most popular dances of Gujarat which brings together family and friends during the festival of Navratri. It also brings together the young boys and girls, who plan for this special event throughout the year. No wonder that so many romances materialize during Navratri!

Though Raas in Gujarat, India is a traditional dance form, youngsters show no dearth of interest towards it. Navratri sees them in their traditional outfits, all geared up to reach the venue. The folk dances of Gujarat, Garba, Raas , and Dandiya have been successful in breaking the confinements of locality and the festival of Navratri brings together the whole of India. Special dancing competitions and lavish feasts are organized during the holy festival of Navratri. Couple passes are available in all major outlets and huge investments made on these functions.

Cuisine

Gujarati food is a vegetarian gourmand's dream come true. It is a vegetarian wonder with complete nutrition derived from leafy vegetables prepared in innumerable variations and subtly flavored with spices. Simple, practical, down-to-earth and wholesome, Gujarati food truly reflects the heart of the state. Gujarati food is primarily vegetarian, the main reason for which is the Jain and Buddhist influences. However, the goodness of millet, yogurt, buttermilk, coconut, groundnut, sesame seeds and jaggery makes sure that this non-meat food is not lacking in proteins.

Tourist attractions

• Akshardham (Gandhinagar) Temple
• Swaminarayan Dham
• Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park

Fossilized Dinosaur eggs displayed at Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park

• Legislative Assembly - Gujarat Vidhansabha & Sachivalaya were planned by H.K.Mewada , The Best & Peaceful Place Surroundings with Central Vista garden & Punitvan
• Infocity - IT Metropolis
• Punit Van - A Botanical garden including walking track, developed by Gandhinagar Administration
• Gandhinagar Townhall and Central Library, SECTOR-17
• Sarita Udyan
• Dholeshwar Mahadev Temple
• Amarnath Dham
• Jakshini Devi Temple
• Trimandir
• Misselenious Church - located at Sector-30
• Craftmen's Village
• City Garden & Children amusement park'- located at SECTOR-28
• Central Vista Garden & GH-4 Circle Fountain
• Adalaj step-Well

Adalaj step-well

Sports

Cricket is the most popular sport in Gandhinagar. There are several cricket grounds located in the city. The Gujarat Stadium located in the nearby city of Ahmedabad is one of the Test cricket grounds in India and is a venue for International cricket matches. Other sports such as football, hockey, basketball, tennis, golf and badminton are also popular in the city. A regional center of the Sports Authority of India is located at Gandhinagar.

Sister city

• Dubai,United Arab Emirates

See also

• Gandhinagar D.C

External links

• Template:Wikitravel
• Gandhinagar Urban Development Authority
• Gandhinagar Destrict Megistrate