Kochi
Template:India city infoboxKochi (Malayalam: കൊച്ചി [Kocci]), formerly known as Cochin, is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the largest urban agglomeration in Kerala and one of the principal seaports of the country. The population of the urban agglomeration was 1,355,406 as per the 2001 census [1]. Kochi is located in the district of Ernakulam, about 220 km north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. Old Kochi loosely refers to a group of islands including Willingdon Island, Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, etc. Today Kochi includes Ernakulam city, old parts of Kochi, Kumbalangi, and outlying islands. For many centuries up to and during the British Raj, the city of Kochi was the seat of the eponymous princely state.
Heralded as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea"[2], Kochi traces its history back many centuries, when it was an important spice trading centre in the Arabian coast. Very little is known about the history of Cochin prior to the arrival of the Portuguese. However there are references about Kochi by ancient travellers and tradesmen, in whose writtings Kochi appears variously as Cocym, Cochym, Cochin, Cochi etc. Today, Kochi is the commercial hub of Kerala[3], and one of the fastest growing second-tier metros in India[4].
Name
Theories regarding the etymology of Kochi is disputed[5]. According to the most popular theory the city derives its name from the Malayalam word kochazhi, meaning 'small lagoon'. Another version argues that the city derives its name from the Sanskrit word Go Shree which means 'prosperous with cows'. Yet another theory is that Kochi is derived from the word Kaci meaning 'harbour'. Accounts by Italian explorer Nicolo Conti (15th century) and Fra Paoline in the 17th century say that it was called Kochchi after the river connecting the backwaters and the sea.
It became known to Europeans as Cochin through the Portuguese.
The city reverted to a closer anglicisation of its original name, Kochi, in 1996. However, is still widely referred to as Cochin.
History
Kochi was the centre of Indian spice trade for many centuries, and was known to the Yavanas (Greeks and Romans), Jews, Arabs and Chinese since ancient times[6]. Kochi earned a significant position on the world trading map after the port at Kodungallur (Cranganore) was destroyed by massive flooding of the river Periyar in 1341 AD[7].
The earliest documented references to Kochi occur in the books written by Chinese voyager Ma Huan, during his visit to Kochi in the 15th century as part of the treasure fleet of Admiral Zheng He[8]. There are also references to Kochi in accounts written by Italian traveller Niccolò Da Conti, who visited Cochin in 1440 AD[9].
Kochi was also the scene of the first European settlement in India. From 1503 to 1663, Kochi was ruled by Portugal. Kochi harboured the grave of Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, who was buried at St. Francis Church until his remains were returned to Portugal in 1539[10]. The Portuguese rule was followed by that of the Dutch; and finally, according to the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814, the city and its territory were ceded to the United Kingdom in exchange for the island of Banca.
Kochi remained the capital of the princely state of Cochin (Perumpadapu Swaroopam in the local vernacular) from late 18th Century. The Perumpadappu royal family that ruled Cochin was the descendant of the Kulasekharas of Mahodayapuram[11]. The Cochin State was not part of British India but was ruled under the sovereignty of a Maharajavu.
Towards the early 20th century, trade at the port had increased substantially, and the need to develop the port was greatly felt. Harbour Engineer Robert Bristow, was thus brought to Cochin in 1920 under the direction of Lord Willingdon, then the Governor of Madras. In a span of 21 years, he had transformed Cochin as the safest harbour in the peninsula, where ships berthed alongside the newly reclaimed inner harbour equipped with a long array of steam cranes[12].
In 1925, Kochi legislative assembly was constituted, due to the public pressure on the state. The assembly consisted of 45 members, 10 of who were officially nominated.Thottakkattu Madhaviamma became the first woman to be a member of any legislature in India[13]. In 1947, India gained independence from the British colonial rule. Cochin was the first princely state to join Indian Union willingly[13]. Post independence, Ikkanda Warrier became the first Prime Minister of Kochi. K.P.Madhavan Nair, P.T Jacob, C. Achutha Menon, Panampilly Govinda Menon were few of the other stalwarts who were in the forefront of the democratic movements. Then in 1949, Travancore-Cochin state came into being by the merger of Cochin and Travancore, with Paravur T.K Narayana Pillai as the first chief minister. Travancore-Cochin, was in turn merged with the Malabar district of the Madras State, till joining the Indian Union in 1947. Finally, the Government of India's November 1, 1956 States Reorganisation Act inaugurated a new state — Kerala — incorporating Travancore-Cochin. Malabar District, and the taluk of Kasargod, South Kanara[14].
Geography
Kochi is located on the southwest coast of India, in the southern state of Kerala. The city lies at the sea mouth of seven major rivers which start from the Western Ghats and travel through Kerala’s midlands, lowlands and coastal areas, to drain out into the Arabian Sea. Kochi comprises the mainland Ernakulam, old Kochi including Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Palluruthy and Thoppumpadi, the suburbs of Edapally and the exurbia of Kalamassery, and Kakkanad to the northeast, Tripunithura to south east, and a group of islands closely scattered in the Vembanad lake, viz. Bolghatty Island (Ponjikkara), Willingdon Island, Vypeen Island, Ramanthuruthu, Vallarpadom, Kumbalam, Cherai, etc. Most of these islands are very small, varying in extent from 4 square miles to less than a square mile. Kochi lies at the northern end of a narrow neck of land, about 19 km long and less than 1.6 km wide in many places, and is separated from the mainland by inlets from the Arabian sea and by the estuaries of rivers draining from the Western Ghats. As a result, Kochi is a natural harbour. Much of Kochi lies at the sea level, and the entire city spans an area of 87.5 km². The city has a seacoast of about 30 miles[5]. Willingdon Island is a large artificial island, created by dredging the Vembanad Lake under the direction of Lord Willingdon[12]. The city has a rich network of backwaters, which has been declared as National Waterways by the Central Government[15].
The soil consists mainly of recent sediments (Alluvium, Teri’s, Brown sands etc.). Hydromorphic saline soils are also found in the areas surrounding the backwaters. The major rock types are Archaean-basic dykes, Charnockites and Gneisses.
The climate of Kochi is generally tropical, with no harsh extremities. Temperature varies between 20°C-35°C (68°F-95°F). Heavy rains accompanied by thunder are common during June-September, due to the South-West monsoon. Light showers are experienced during October-December due to the North-West monsoon. The average annual rainfall is about 350 cm with 132 average annual rainy days, the bulk of which is contributed by the South-West monsoon.
Though much of the city is urbanised, the city retains an ecologically sensitive area right at its centre - the Mangalavanam. Mangalavanam is a nesting ground for a vast variety of migratory birds and supports many varieties of mangroves. This rare ecosystem in the heart of the city has helped keep pollution under check within the city.
Economy
Kochi is the biggest city in Kerala by volume of trade[3]. The economy of the city can be classified as a business economy with emphasis on the service sector. Major business areas are gold and textile retail, seafood and spices export, information technology, tourism, health services, banking, ship building, fishing and allied activities. The High Court of Kerala is situated in the city. Consequentially, legal services are a major contributor to the economy. Kochi is home to the International Pepper Exchange, where pepper is globally traded. The Cochin Shipyard in Kochi is largest[16] ship building facility in India[17]. To tap the potential of the natural harbour at Kochi further, a marina[18] and an international container transshipment terminal[19] are currently under construction. The city also houses Kerala's only stock exchange, the Cochin Stock Exchange.
The economy of the city is mostly dependant on trade and retail activities[20]. As in most of Kerala, inward remittances from abroad by Non Resident Indians (NRI) is a major source of income. Exports and allied activities are also important contributors to the city's economy. Tourism has of late, become a major contributor to the city's income. The Headquarters of the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy is situated at Venduruthy about 5 kilometers south of the city centre. The state government has given priority to the establishment of IT and BPO enterprises to exploit the opportunities that have arisen in the field. Projects include Kochi InfoPark, Special Export Processing Zone (SEPZ), etc.The Cochin fishing harbour, located at Thoppumpady is a major fishing port in the state and supplies fish to the local and export markets. Kochi is a major destination for IT and ITES companies. The availability of 15 Gbit/s bandwidth, through undersea cables such as FLAG, SAFE and SEA ME WE 3 ensures seamless data flow from world wide which helps the IT business. The Infopark promoted by the Government of Kerala is home to companies like Wipro and TCS. The establishment of a larger technology park, the Smart City which will encompass the present Info Park, is under final stages of discussion[21].
Kochi also has an oil refinery, the Kochi Refineries Limited (KRL), in Ambalamedu. Eloor, situated 17 km north of the city, is an island of 11.21 km² and is the largest industrial belt in Kerala. There are more than 247 industries viz. Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT), Travancore Cochin Chemicals, Indian Rare Earths, Hindustan Insecticides Limited and many others manufacturing a range of products like chemical-petrochemical products , pesticides, rare earth elements, rubber processing chemicals, fertilizers, zinc/chrome compounds and leather products.
Central Government establishments like the Coconut Development Board, the Coir Board, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Spices Board are also located in the city.
Civic administration
| Kochi City officials | |
| Mayor | Mercy Williams |
| Deputy Mayor | C.K.Mani Sankar |
| Police Commissioner | P Vijayan |
The city is administered by the Cochin Corporation, headed by a Mayor. The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) is the government overseeing agency for the development of the city. The Kochi City Police (KCP) is headed by a Police Commissioner, who is an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. The KCP comes under the state Home Ministry. The KCP includes the traffic police, Narcotic Cell, Armed Reserve Camps, District Crime Records Bureau, Senior Citizen's Cell and a Women Cell and runs 19 police stations. Kochi is the seat of the High Court of Kerala, which is the highest judicial institution in Kerala and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. Kochi also has a lower court at the district level. Kochi contributes 5 seats to the State Assembly and a seat to the Lok Sabha (Lower House of the Indian Parliament).
Transport
Kochi is well connected to other parts of the world through road, rail, water and air. Kochi has an international airport, known as the Cochin International Airport (IATA: COK, ICAO: VOCC) which is about 25 km north of the city. Unlike most airports in the country which are controlled by the Airports Authority of India, the airport is owned by Cochin International Airport Limited, a public company, initially held by a large number of Non Resident Indians, major Indian corporations as well as a majority interest by the government of Kerala. This is the first International Airport in India that has been built without the Federal Government's stake.[22]
Being one of the safest harbours in the Indian Ocean, Kochi is also a major a seaport of the country[23]. The port is administered by a statutory autonomous body known as the Cochin Port Trust. The port offers facilities like berths for handling cargo and passenger ships, cargo handling equipments, storage accommodation, dry dock, bunkering facilities, fisheries harbour, etc.
There are two main railway stations in the city, the Ernakulam Junction and the Ernakulam Town railway stations (locally called as the 'South' and 'North' railway stations respectively). The railway line connecting these two stations cuts the city longitudinally into two, with just two narrow over bridges connecting the two halves.
For transport within the city, buses and taxis are available throughout the day. Taxi cabs (Ambassador cars and Indicabs) are usually available on an hourly or daily basis. For short trips auto rickshaws, commonly called autos offer better value. Private buses that shunt between different parts of the city froms the backbone of the public transport system.
Boat services of the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation, the state Water Transport Authority, and of private ownership are available from the Hight Court ferry and the main jetty at Park Avenue to various places. The junkar ferry for the transhipment of vehicles and passengers between the various islands are operated between Ernakulam and Vypin, and between Vypin and Fort Kochi. However, boats as a means of transportation is losing its charm since the construction of the Goshree bridges that link the various islands of Kochi.
Narrow roads and the mix of vastly differing types of vehicles, has made traffic congestion a major problem in the city. A sky bus service is planned for the city, which should considerably ease the traffic congestion.[24].
Demographics
As of 2001 Kochi had a population of 1,477,085, with a density of 1052.5 persons per square kilometre[25]. Scheduled Castes and Tribes account for 14.3% of the city's population. There are 1,024 females to every 1,000 males – which is higher than the national average. The overall literacy rate of the city is 94.3%[25]. The gender gap in literacy rate is 1.1, which is amongst the lowest in the country.
The religions represented in Kochi mainly include Hinduism, Christianity and Islam, with a minority representation of Jainism, Judaisms, Sikhism and Buddhism. Among them, Hinduism is the major religion, comprising nearly 47% of the population. With over 35% of the population following Christianity, Kochi has the largest number of Christians among the cities in India[26]. Remnants of a once substantial Cochin Jewish population, the oldest east of Iran — most of which made aliyah to Israel — also practice Judaism[27].
Malayalam, the regional language of Kerala, is the most widely spoken language in Kochi. Usage of English is also common among in business circles.
Like other fast growing cities in the developing world, Kochi suffers from major urbanisation problems like poor sanitation and unemployment. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, Kochi has one of highest rates of criminality in India[28].
Culture
Kochi has a multicultural and secular community comprising Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists among other denominations. Kochi's culture was enriched by successive values of migration over the years. The city once had a large Jewish community, which figured prominently in the business and economic strata of the society. They were known as Malabar Yehuden and now increasingly as Cochin Jews. The community has now almost entirely migrated to Israel and the United States[27]. The copper tablets presented to them in ancient times were shipped to the Kennedy Airport Sanctuary, where they are on display[citation needed].
Syrian Orthodoxy was the sole Christian tradition in Kochi for a long time[29]. However, since the Portuguese arrival in the princely state of Cochin in the 1500s, Roman Catholicism has been a dominant force[29].
The culture of the city can be termed as predominantly South Indian. However, the population is a mix of people from all parts of Kerala and most of India. The city's pan-Indian nature is highlighted by the substantial presence of various ethnic communities from different parts of the country[30]. For instance the city has a Jewish quarter with a historic synagogue, a community of Sikkimese, Buddhists and a substantial Gujarati population . The presence of the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command adds to the cosmopolitan nature of the city.
Keeping up with its multi-ethnic diaspora, Kochi celebrates traditional Kerala festivals like Onam and Vishu along with North Indian festivals like Holi and Diwali with great fervour. Christian and Islamic festivals like Christmas, Easter, Eid ul-Fitr, Milad-e-sherif, etc are also celebrated
Malayalam is the language of communication, although English is used in business circles. English, Hindi and Tamil are widely understood, but rarely spoken.
People of Kochi are called as Kochiites and are an important fabric of the the South Indian weltanschauung. However, owing to the recent developments in the city, the people have become more cosmopolitan in their outlook[4]. The people are also increasingly fashion conscious[20].
The cuisine of Kochiites include mainly South Indian and Chinese flavours. Fast Food culture is very prominent in the city. North Indian and Continental cuisines are becoming increasingly popular.
Education and health care
Kochi is a hub of health care in the state, with several major modern super speciality hospitals located in and around the city[4]. Health services, boosted by medical tourism and Ayurveda, form a vital part of the local economy. Lakeshore Hospital, Amrita Hospital, Specialist's Hospital, Medical Trust Hospital, Lisie Hospital, Lourde Hospital, Ernakulam Medical Centre, Lakshmi Hospital and Saraf Hospital are some of the major hospitals in the city. The city also has a public health centre, promoted by the government.
Kochi also serves as a major educational centre with premier educational institutions and research centres like Cochin University of Science and Technology, Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training, National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre and School of Communication and Management Studies situated in the city. Maharajas College, Cochin College, Sacred Hearts College , Rajagiri College of Engineering, St.Alberts College, St.Teresa's College and Toc-H Institute of Science and Technology are some of the institutions in the city offering tertiary education.
For primary and secondary education, Kochi has a large number of schools run either by government, or by religious trusts and individuals. The schools are affiliated with either the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) or the Kerala State Board. English is the typical medium of instruction in most private schools. The prominent schools in the city include Assissi Vidyaniketan, Bhavans Educational Institutions, Choice School, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Cochin Refineries School, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navy Children School, S.B.O.A Public School, St.Treasas Convent Girls Higher Secondary School and Toc-H Public School.
Media
A number of newspaper publications and television stations are situated in the city. Malayalam newspapers published and sold in Kochi include Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhumi, Deshabhimani , Deepika, Kerala Kaumudi, Madhyamam, Mangalam, Satya Deepam and Flash. Popular English newspapers include The Hindu, The New Indian Express, Economic Times , Times of India, The Business Standard, Financial Times, and The Pioneer.
Television stations in Kochi include Asianet Cable Vision, India Vision, Kairali TV, and Amrita TV. Satellite television services are available through Doordarshan Direct Plus and Dish TV. All India Radio has an FM station operating at 102.3 MHz in the city. With the recent approval of private FM radio broadcasts by the Government of India, a growth spurt is expected in this sector soon[31]. Private satellite radios such as WorldSpace are also available in Kochi.There are over 20 cinema halls which screen movies in Malayalam, Tamil, English and Hindi. The Cochin International Film Festival (CIFF) organised by the Cochin Film Society is held in the city every year.
Telephony services are provided by various players like Airtel, Idea cellular, Hutch, Reliance Infocomm, Tata Indicom and the state owned BSNL.
Sports and stadiums
The only international stadium in Kerala, the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium is located in Kochi. The stadium, one of the largest in India[32], has been the ground for many international cricket as well as national football matches. It has a seating capacity of 60,000 and is equipped with floodlights for night play. In 2006 the stadium is in for a major renovation including a fabric roof[33].
The city also houses the Regional Sports Centre at Kadavantra. The centre has an indoor stadium facilities for playing tennis, badminton, basketball, cricket and table tennis.It also houses a swimming pool.
The Maharaja's Ground on M.G. Road is also a prominent sporting ground, and an eight-lane synthetic track is currently being laid[34].
See also
Template:Topics related to Kochi (India)
External links
Notes
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Definitions from Wiktionary
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Resources from Wikiversity
- ^ Census of India 2001. Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population of more than one million in 2001.
- ^ "Deccan Herald". April 16, 2006Deccan Herald.
- ^ a b The Economy of Kochi. The Economy - Trade & Industry in Kochi
- ^ a b c Economic Times. Developing metro and quaint environs
- ^ a b Culture of Kochi. Etymology of Kochi Cite error: The named reference "Corporation of Kochi" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ ernakulam.nic.in. History of Ernakulam
- ^ History of Kochi. Emergence of Kochi harbour
- ^ Ma Huan: Ying Yai Sheng Lan, The Overall Survey of the Ocean's Shores, translated by J.V.G. Mills, 1970 Hakluyt Society, reprint 1997 White Lotus Press. ISBN 974-8496-78-3
- ^ Niccolo di Conti (ca.1395-1469). Accounts of Nicolo de' Conti
- ^ MSN Encarta Encyclopedia. Death of Vasco Da Gama in Kochi
- ^ Prehistory and Archaeology of Cochin. Prehistory and Archaeology of Cochin
- ^ a b Robert Charles Bristow employed to develop Kochi port. The Cochin Saga
- ^ a b History of Kochi. History and culture of Kochi
- ^ Plunkett, R, Cannon, T, Davis, P, Greenway, P & Harding, P (2001), Lonely Planet South India, Lonely Planet, ISBN 1-86450-161-8
- ^ National Waterway-3. National Waterway-3 plagued by hurdles - Madhu Chittora, Project Monitor 31 January 2005
- ^ In terms of dead weight tons of ships built
- ^ Govt. Shipbuilding and repair. List of ship building centres in India
- ^ The Hindu. CPT hands over land for marina - Sep 26, 2005
- ^ The Hindu. Kochi terminal handed over to Dubai Ports International
- ^ a b New Indian Express. Retail booooom - May 9 2006
- ^ AME Info FZ LLC. Dubai Internet City signs MoU with Kerala Government for developing IT Business Campus
- ^ CIAL. A novel venture in the history of Indian Aviation
- ^ Major Ports in India. Trade with India - major ports in India
- ^ New Indian Express. Kochi Metro Rail - NIE Saturday, May 9 2006
- ^ a b Census India. Census GIS India
- ^ Census India. Census GIS Household - Religious data
- ^ a b Changing Jewish Communities. The Jews, Israel, and India
- ^ Crime rates in Indian cities. Crimes in Mega Cities'
- ^ a b Indian Embassy. Christian traditions in Kerala
- ^ Kochi's 'mini-India'. Kochi's 'mini-India' April 29, 2006
- ^ Making a splash in the air. The Hindu Nov 06, 2005
- ^ Stadiums in India. List of stadiums in India in order of seating capacity
- ^ Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to get a facelift. The Hindu - Wednesday, Nov 30, 2005
- ^ Culture of Kochi. Minister's assurance on synthetic tracks - The Hindu Oct 14, 2004
References
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