Koraput

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Koraput | type = city | latd = 18.82 | longd = 82.72
locator_position = right | state_name = Orissa
district = Koraput
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altitude = 870
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 39,523| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
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area_telephone =
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Koraput is a town and a notified area committee in Koraput District in the Indian state of Orissa.

HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, a defence enterprise of the Government of India) is only 15 km from Koraput town. The HAL factory makes military aircraft engines for MIG and expanding for Sukhoi assembly line. The HAL factory and township is surrounded by hills and forest. It employs 6000 engineers and technicians, all are staying in the township next to the factory.Nearby Semliguda is developed to cater this population for marketing as well as entertainment.Semliguda is mostly inhabited by trading community. These traders and contractors are doing business in HAL, Sunabeda and NALCO, Damanjodi.

History

The district of Koraput derives its name from its headquarters the present town of Koraput. In ancient times when the Nalas were ruling over this tract, Pushkari near modern Umarkot was the capital city. In the medieval period Nandapur developed as the capital under the Silavamsi kings and sometimes under the kings of the Solar dynasty. Viravikrama Deo of the Solar dynasty shifted his headquarters to Jeypore about the middle of the 17th century and this town prospered as the capital. Koraput was chosen by the British in 1870 for better health prospects. The origin of the name of Koraput is obscure. There are several theories, none of which is convincing.

According to Mr. R.C.S.Bell the name of the town is ‘Kora-Putti’ or”the hamlet of the nux-vomica” and it is derived presumably from a tree or trees that must at one time have been prominent near the site. But today not a single tree of nux-vomica is to be found near about the town of Koraput and so the assumption or Mr. Bell is open to question.

According to second theory, Koraput is corrupted form of ‘Karaka pentho’ Karaka literally mans ‘hail-stone’. It is also believed that one ‘Khora Naiko’ laid foundation of the village during the time of Nandapur kings. He hailed probably from Ranpur and served under the Nandapur kings in the Militia, and for his faithful and meritorious services he has permitted to establish this village which was named after him as Khora Putu, and later on the name has been abbreviated to ‘Koraput’.

Kopaput is also a Tourism Place.The town is surrounded by mountains ,thick forests and waterfalls.

Tribal identity

This district is a part of the tribal belt in southern Orissa. Most of the area was under thick forest cover until few years ago. Many aboriginal tribes live in this district. Largely due to deforestation and industrialisation as well as numerous governmental schemes these tribes have almost come to modernity and are adopting new ways of life.

abara Srikhetra

Koraput is mostly famous for its Jagannath Temple which is also known as Sabara Srikhetra. Srikhetra is normally referred to as Puri Jagannath, but the unique identity of the Koraput temple is because of the fact that no section of the society is barred entry. Sabara Srikhetra was founded by, among others, Sri Abhaya Chandra Mohapatra, the then Public Relation Officer of the Government of Orissa, Sri Krushna Chandra Panigrahy,the Present Secretary of Sabara Srikhetra Temple and Dr Nirod Gochhayat. Thousands flock to the temple every day for "darshan". The Temple trust has built huge accommodation centres for pilgrims and is an important force behind the growing number of tourist arrivals. The trust also runs COATS (Council of Analytical Tribal Studies), an university–like educational institute is a successful attempt to restore and educate tribal way of life, customs, tradition, medicine, language, social structure and history.

Geography

Koraput is located at coord|18.82|N|82.72|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/21/Koraput.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Koraput] ] . It has an average elevation of 870 metres (2854 feet).

Hill stations

Being at the heart of tribal belt in south orissa, it has also many hill station tourist attractions though they are not that famous as other hill stations of India. Places like Machkund, Onukadelli, Jalaput, Chindri, Hatipathar, etc are places to be visited for its scenic beauty.

Transport

Koraput is having well linkage with other parts of the state as well as some major cities of neighboring states, by means of rail and road. National highway number 43 passes through the town which connects it with Raipur and Vishakapatnam. Buses are a plenty from Vishakhatanam and Vizianagar to Koraput. Buses to Jeypore, Jagdalpur, Umerkote also passes through Koraput.

By Rail, it is well connected with Rayagada, Howrah and Bhubaneswar.

Educational facilities

In Koraput education is reasonably good only up to matriculation. The major government and privately owned schools include :

* Govt. High School (previously named Govt. Boys High School)
* Police High School
* J.E.L.C High School
* Govt Girls High School
* Sri Aurobindo Purnanga Shikhsakendra
* Saraswati Vidya Mandir
* Public School
* Central School
* S.V.B.Vidyapith Eng. Medium School
* Saints English Medium School

As far as higher studies are concerned, Koraput has got one Women's College and a D.A.V College, both of which are affiliated to the Berhampur University. The quality of higher education in Koraput is still under question.

Apart from traditional courses, Koraput now also provides facilities for professional courses like engineering and pharmacy. There is a demand from the people of Koraput to establish a medical college in the district which has not been entertained by the Government.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Koraput had a population of 39,523. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Koraput has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76%, and female literacy is 59%. In Koraput, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Politics

Current MLA from Koraput Assembly Constituency is Tara Prasad Bahinipati of INC, who won the seat in State elections in 2004 and also in 2000. Previous MLAs from this seat were Gupta Prasad Das of INC in 1995, Harish Chandra Baxipatra who won as JD candidate in 1990 and as JNP candidate in 1977, Narusinghananda Brahma as INC candidate in 1985 and as INC(I) candidate in 1980. [cite web
url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/March2004/pollupd/ac/states/s18/Partycomp85.htm
title = State Elections 2004 - Partywise Comparision for 85-Koraput Constituency of ORISSA
publisher = Election Commission of India
accessdate = 2008-09-13]

Koraput is part of Koraput (Lok Sabha constituency). [cite web
url = http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2000/background/S18/Orissa_AC_Dist_PC.pdf
title = Assembly Constituencies - Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies of Orissa
publisher = Election Commission of India
accessdate = 2008-09-13]

References

ee also

External links

* [http://www.orissa.net/links/DistrictInfo/Images/koraput.gifRoad Map of Koraput District]
* [http://koraput.nic.in/ Official website of Koraput district]
* [http://www.koraput.in/ Unofficial website]