Berachampa
Encyclopedia
Berachampa is a small town on the outskirts of Kolkata
, West Bengal
, in eastern India
. The town is roughly between the towns of Barasat
and Basirhat
, approximately 34 kilometres (21 miles) from Kolkata
.
Cotton weaving is common in Berachampa, along with metalworking. The town is a trade centre for goods such as rice, legumes, sugar cane, potatoes and coconuts. Near Berachampa is the ancient archaeological site of Chandraketugarh
, circa 300 BC.
Many busy roads pass close to or through the town; State Highway 2 (SH2) and the Taki
road (which connects Barasat
and Basirhat
) both pass through Berachampa. Haroa Road (connecting Berachampa and Newtown), Prithiba Road and Baduria Road (connecting Berachampa with Baduria
) are other important roads.
. The history of Chandraketugarh
dates back to almost the 3rd century BC, during the pre-Mauryan era. Artefacts suggest that the site was continuously inhabited and flourished through the Sunga-Kushana period, onwards through the Gupta period and finally into the Pala-Sena period. Archaelogical studies suggest that Chandraketugarh was an important town and a port city. It had a high encircling wall complete with a rampart and moat. The residents were involved in various crafts and mercantile activities. Although the religious inclinations of the people are unclear, hints of the beginning of some future cults can be seen in the artefacts. Some of the potteries carry inscriptions in Kharoshthi and Brahmi scripts.
Chandraketugarh
features many examples of terracotta art, displaying an unusual degree of precision and craftsmanship. These plaques are comparable to those found at other better-known sites such as Kaushambi and Ahichhatra. The terracotta plaques from these sites often carry similar motifs executed in nearly identical fashion. This similarity suggests an established communication link and common cultural heritage among these sites.
A large number of silver punch-marked coins and a few gold coins have been unearthed from Chandraketugarh, including a gold coin of Chandragupta-Kumardevi. A large number of semi-precious stone beads were also found here, along with items made of ivory and bone. Even a few wooden objects have survived.
state in eastern India. The Bangladesh
border at Petrapole
is situated about 60 km (37 mi) from the city. The average elevation is 10 metres (33 ft), and no notable river flows by the city. The nearest river is the Ganges itself, which lies about 30 km (19 mi) to the west. The city is on the Gangetic plain, lacking any hills.
. A notable weather feature is the Monsoon
season, which runs from early June to mid-September. The weather remains dry during the winter (mid-November to mid-February) and humid during summer. Typical tempratures variations would be from 41 °C (105.8 °F) in May (high), to 10 °C (50 °F) in January (low). Relative humidity fluctuates between an average of 50% in March up to 96% in July.
is a major source of income for the town, with the main market located near Taki Road.
Farming is a vital occupation in Berachampa. The presence of many leading banks (State Bank of India
, United Bank of India
, Allahabad Bank
, Axis Bank
, etc.) and Life Insurance Corporation of India
(LICI) offices also provide employment.
for Barasat (Lok Sabha constituency)
in 2009. She defeated Sudin Chottopadhaya of AIFB by approximately 1,21,000 votes.
assembly. Previous MLAs from this constituency include Ashokgopal Mukherjee, who won as the AITC
candidate in 2001 and as INC
candidate in 1996, and Saral Deb of FBL
in 1991, 1987, 1982 and 1977.
Berachampa contains a major road junction, connecting the following roads:
, but is now run as a section of Sealdah
division of Eastern Railways
.
) is 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) from Berachampa.
, with examples of drama, recitation, classical music, songs and dances. Basanti puja is very famous in Berachampa. Basanti Devi is a Durga
-like ten handed Hindu goddess. Deganga Book Fair is one of the most important book fairs of North 24 Parganas.
or Bengali
. The schools are affiliated with the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)
, the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), or the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education
. Under the 10+2+3 plan, after completing their secondary education, students typically enrol in a junior college
(also known as a pre-university) or in schools with a higher secondary facility affiliated with West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education
, for 2 years. Students usually choose from one of three streams — liberal arts
, commerce
, or science
, though vocational streams are also available. Upon completing the required coursework, students may enrol in general or professional degree programmes.
Universities:
, Aajkaal
, Bartaman
, Sangbad Pratidin
, and Ganashakti
are widely circulated. Regional and national English newspapers such as The Telegraph
, The Statesman
, Asian Age
, Hindustan Times
and The Times of India
are available. Kolkata's radio stations are available here. Local FM
radio stations include: AIR
Kolkata (FM Rainbow & FM Gold), Radio Mirchi
, Red FM
, Aamar FM
, Gyan Vani
, Fever FM, Radio One, Meow FM, BIG FM and Power FM
. The state-owned television broadcaster Doordarshan
provides two free terrestrial channels, while MSO
provides a mix of Bengali, Hindi, English and other regional channels via cable
.
is also popular. Traditional Indian sports like Kabbadi and kho-kho are also played.
An IFA-affiliated football coaching centre (Devalaya ambikanagar football coaching centre) is solely run by Biswanath mondal (locally known as "Lalu da"). From the beginning, his dream was to produce great footballers, who would hopefully go on to play for the Indian national team
. He has been teaching football for 15 years, at no cost to students. Everyday practice takes place at AJC polytechnic college ground. Some football academies, such as TFA and SAIL, have visited the centre, scouting footballers for their academies. Some players, such as Hachibuddin Mondal, Mohidul Islam and Monirul Mondal, play for the Mohameddan sporting club.
.
The North 24 Parganas District Hospital is located in Barasat. Berachampa also has several privately-operated nursing homes and hospitals, such as the United Nursing Home, Janoseva Nursing Home, and Sundarban Nursing Home, along with an ayurvedic pharmaceuticals company.
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
, West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
, in eastern India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The town is roughly between the towns of Barasat
Barasat
Barasat is a city in the outskirts of Kolkata, West Bengal India and is the district head quarter of the district North 24 Parganas. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority. The town is an important railway and roadway junction...
and Basirhat
Basirhat
Basirhat is a city and a municipality in North 24 Parganas district in the state of West Bengal, India. Basirhat subdivisional town is located on the banks of Ichamati River.- History :...
, approximately 34 kilometres (21 miles) from Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
.
Cotton weaving is common in Berachampa, along with metalworking. The town is a trade centre for goods such as rice, legumes, sugar cane, potatoes and coconuts. Near Berachampa is the ancient archaeological site of Chandraketugarh
Chandraketugarh
Chandraketugarh is an archaeological site located beside the Bidyadhari river, about 35 km north-east of Kolkata, India, in the district of North 24 parganas, near the township of Berachampa and the Haroa Road railhead....
, circa 300 BC.
Many busy roads pass close to or through the town; State Highway 2 (SH2) and the Taki
Taki (India)
Taki is a town and a municipality under Hasnabad police station of Basirhat subdivision in North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal.-Geography:Taki is located at . It has an average elevation of 5 metres .-Culture:...
road (which connects Barasat
Barasat
Barasat is a city in the outskirts of Kolkata, West Bengal India and is the district head quarter of the district North 24 Parganas. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority. The town is an important railway and roadway junction...
and Basirhat
Basirhat
Basirhat is a city and a municipality in North 24 Parganas district in the state of West Bengal, India. Basirhat subdivisional town is located on the banks of Ichamati River.- History :...
) both pass through Berachampa. Haroa Road (connecting Berachampa and Newtown), Prithiba Road and Baduria Road (connecting Berachampa with Baduria
Baduria
Baduria is a town and a municipality and police station of Basirhat subdivision in North 24 Parganas district in the state of West Bengal, India.-Geography:Baduria is located at . It has an average elevation of 8 metres .-Demographics:...
) are other important roads.
History
Berachampa is an historical town. It is a part of old Gangahrada, discovered by Ptolemy. The main archaeological site of Berachampa is ChandraketugarhChandraketugarh
Chandraketugarh is an archaeological site located beside the Bidyadhari river, about 35 km north-east of Kolkata, India, in the district of North 24 parganas, near the township of Berachampa and the Haroa Road railhead....
. The history of Chandraketugarh
Chandraketugarh
Chandraketugarh is an archaeological site located beside the Bidyadhari river, about 35 km north-east of Kolkata, India, in the district of North 24 parganas, near the township of Berachampa and the Haroa Road railhead....
dates back to almost the 3rd century BC, during the pre-Mauryan era. Artefacts suggest that the site was continuously inhabited and flourished through the Sunga-Kushana period, onwards through the Gupta period and finally into the Pala-Sena period. Archaelogical studies suggest that Chandraketugarh was an important town and a port city. It had a high encircling wall complete with a rampart and moat. The residents were involved in various crafts and mercantile activities. Although the religious inclinations of the people are unclear, hints of the beginning of some future cults can be seen in the artefacts. Some of the potteries carry inscriptions in Kharoshthi and Brahmi scripts.
| Period | Dynasty | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Period I | Maurya | 300-200 BC |
| Period III | Sunga | 200 BC - 50 AD |
| Period IV | Kushan | 50-300 AD |
| Period V | Gupta Gupta Gupta is a common surname of Indian origin.According to some academicians, the name Gupta is derived from Sanskrit goptri, meaning military governor. A more direct translation of the Sanskrit word gupta is 'secret' or 'hidden'. According to prominent historian R. C... |
300-500 AD |
| Period VI | Post-Gupta | 500-750 AD |
| Period VII | Pala-Chandra-Sena | 750-1250 AD |
Chandraketugarh
Chandraketugarh
Chandraketugarh is an archaeological site located beside the Bidyadhari river, about 35 km north-east of Kolkata, India, in the district of North 24 parganas, near the township of Berachampa and the Haroa Road railhead....
features many examples of terracotta art, displaying an unusual degree of precision and craftsmanship. These plaques are comparable to those found at other better-known sites such as Kaushambi and Ahichhatra. The terracotta plaques from these sites often carry similar motifs executed in nearly identical fashion. This similarity suggests an established communication link and common cultural heritage among these sites.
A large number of silver punch-marked coins and a few gold coins have been unearthed from Chandraketugarh, including a gold coin of Chandragupta-Kumardevi. A large number of semi-precious stone beads were also found here, along with items made of ivory and bone. Even a few wooden objects have survived.
Geography
Berachampa is located at 22°43'N 88°29'E. Berachampa is located in the Ganges Brahmaputra delta region in the district of North 24 Parganas, West BengalWest Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
state in eastern India. The Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
border at Petrapole
Petrapole
Petrapole is the Indian side of Petrapole-Benapole border checkpoint between India and Bangladesh. It is also referred to as Haridaspur border check post.-Location:...
is situated about 60 km (37 mi) from the city. The average elevation is 10 metres (33 ft), and no notable river flows by the city. The nearest river is the Ganges itself, which lies about 30 km (19 mi) to the west. The city is on the Gangetic plain, lacking any hills.
Climate
The climate is tropical, like the rest of West BengalWest Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
. A notable weather feature is the Monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
season, which runs from early June to mid-September. The weather remains dry during the winter (mid-November to mid-February) and humid during summer. Typical tempratures variations would be from 41 °C (105.8 °F) in May (high), to 10 °C (50 °F) in January (low). Relative humidity fluctuates between an average of 50% in March up to 96% in July.
Economy
Cotton weaving is the major industry in Berachampa; it is also an important trade centre for goods such as rice, legumes, sugar cane, potatoes and coconuts. Many small industries can be found in and around the town, especially metalworking factories. RetailRetail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
is a major source of income for the town, with the main market located near Taki Road.
Farming is a vital occupation in Berachampa. The presence of many leading banks (State Bank of India
State Bank of India
The State Bank of India is the largest Indian banking and financial services company with its headquarters in Mumbai, India. It is state-owned. The bank traces its ancestry to British India, through the Imperial Bank of India, to the founding in 1806 of the Bank of Calcutta, making it the oldest...
, United Bank of India
United Bank of India
United Bank of India is a state-owned financial services company headquartered in Kolkata, India. Presently the bank has a three-tier organizational setup consisting of its Head office in Kolkata, 31 Regional offices and 1600 branches spread all over India. However, its major presence is in...
, Allahabad Bank
Allahabad Bank
Allahabad Bank , , which began operations in 1865, has its head-quarters in Kolkata. Currently the bank has 2500 branches across the country. The Chairman and Managing Director of the bank is Shri J. P. Dua. The bank has a branch in Hong Kong and a representative office in Shenzen.-19th...
, Axis Bank
Axis Bank
Axis Bank Limited, formerly UTI Bank, is a financial services firm that had begun operations in 1994, after the Government of India allowed new private banks to be established...
, etc.) and Life Insurance Corporation of India
Life Insurance Corporation of India
The Life Insurance Corporation of India is the largest state-owned life insurance company in India, and also the country's largest investor. It is fully owned by the Government of India. It also funds close to 24.6% of the Indian Government's expenses. It has assets estimated of...
(LICI) offices also provide employment.
The Lok Sabha constituency
Kakali Ghosh Dastidar of (TMC) was elected MPMember of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Barasat (Lok Sabha constituency)
Barasat (Lok Sabha constituency)
Barasat is one of the 543 parliamentary constituencies in India. The constituency centres on Barasatin West Bengal.-Assembly segments:...
in 2009. She defeated Sudin Chottopadhaya of AIFB by approximately 1,21,000 votes.
The Vidhan Sabha Constituency
The current MLA from Deganga assembly constituency (assembly constituency no. 92) is Dr. Mortaza Hossein of CPI(M), who won the seat in the State elections of 2006. Formerly, Berachampa was under the BarasatBarasat
Barasat is a city in the outskirts of Kolkata, West Bengal India and is the district head quarter of the district North 24 Parganas. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority. The town is an important railway and roadway junction...
assembly. Previous MLAs from this constituency include Ashokgopal Mukherjee, who won as the AITC
All India Trinamool Congress
The All India Trinamool Congress is a state political party in West Bengal. Founded in 1 January 1998, the party is led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Trinamool Congress is currently the second largest member of the ruling United Progressive Alliance coalition...
candidate in 2001 and as INC
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
candidate in 1996, and Saral Deb of FBL
All India Forward Bloc
The All India Forward Bloc is a leftwing nationalist political party in India. It emerged as a faction within the Indian National Congress in 1939, led by Subhas Chandra Bose. The party re-established as an independent political party after the independence of India...
in 1991, 1987, 1982 and 1977.
Roads
Berachampa can be reached from Kolkata via V.I.P Road (Najrul Islam Sarani), Jessore Road (National Highway 34) and Taki Road.Berachampa contains a major road junction, connecting the following roads:
- The Taki Road (SH 35), which leads to TakiTaki (India)Taki is a town and a municipality under Hasnabad police station of Basirhat subdivision in North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal.-Geography:Taki is located at . It has an average elevation of 5 metres .-Culture:...
, and ultimately to the BangladeshBangladeshBangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
border. - The Haroa Road, which leads to New TownRajarhatRajarhat Gopalpur , a neighbourhood of Calcutta, located in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, is a fast-growing planned new city. It is situated near the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. Many high-profile industrialists of national and international standing are...
via Haroa - Megacity Road.
- Prithiba Road, which leads to Prithiba near Ashoknagar.
Buses
Bus services are available to the following destinations:- Towards Kolkata: Dharmatala, Shealdah, Dakshineswar, Shyambazar etc.
- Heading South: Digha, Sundarban, Haroa etc.
- Heading North: Durgapur, Balurghat, Baharampur, Kalyani etc.
- Heading East: Baduria, Itindaghat, Bashirhat, Hasnabad, Taki etc.
- Heading West: Howrah, Gadiara etc.
- International Volvo Bus Services towards Dacca (Bangladesh) and Timpu (Bhutan).
Rail
The nearest rail station is Haroa Road, which is attached to the Shealdah-Hasnabad Section of Eastern Railway. The Barasat-Basirhat Railway line was originally run by Martin's Light RailwaysMartin's Light Railways
Martin's Light Railways was a private company operating railways in India. The routes on which trains were run by Martin's Light Railways are as shown below: gauge Howrah Maidan-Amta and Howrah-Shiakhala lines ....
, but is now run as a section of Sealdah
Sealdah
Sealdah is one of the major train stations serving Kolkata in India, the others being Howrah Station, Shalimar Station and Kolkata Railway Station. Sealdah is one of the busiest rail stations in India and an important suburban rail terminal...
division of Eastern Railways
Eastern Railway (India)
The Eastern Railway is one of the 17 zones of the Indian Railways. Its headquarters is at Fairley Place, Kolkata, and comprises four divisions: Howrah, Malda, Sealdah, and Asansol. These are the financial departments and each has an assistant divisional financial manager , divisional railway...
.
Air
Dumdum Airport (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International AirportNetaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is an airport located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, serving the greater Kolkata metro area. The airport was originally known as Dum Dum Airport before being renamed in the honour of Subhas Chandra Bose...
) is 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) from Berachampa.
Transport within the city
Most public transport within the city relies on cycle-rickshaws, and three-wheeled man-driven "cycle-vans". Auto rickshaws operate between Berachampa and nearby areas like Barasat, Kalitala, and Haroa.Culture
The culture of Berachampa is similar to other small towns in BengalBengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
, with examples of drama, recitation, classical music, songs and dances. Basanti puja is very famous in Berachampa. Basanti Devi is a Durga
Durga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
-like ten handed Hindu goddess. Deganga Book Fair is one of the most important book fairs of North 24 Parganas.
Education
The town's schools are run either by the state government or by private organisations. Teaching is usually in either EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
or Bengali
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
. The schools are affiliated with the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)
Indian Certificate of Secondary Education
The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education or ICSE examination is an examination conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, a private, non-governmental board of school education in India, for class 10, i.e., grade 10...
, the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), or the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education
West Bengal Board of Secondary Education
The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education is the West Bengal state government administered autonomous examining authority for the Standard 10 examination of West Bengal, India. The examination for the 10th standard is called the Madhyamik Pariksha or secondary examination...
. Under the 10+2+3 plan, after completing their secondary education, students typically enrol in a junior college
Junior college
The term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...
(also known as a pre-university) or in schools with a higher secondary facility affiliated with West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education
West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education
West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education is the West Bengal state government administered autonomous examining authority for the Standard 12 examination of West Bengal, India...
, for 2 years. Students usually choose from one of three streams — liberal arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
, commerce
Commerce
While business refers to the value-creating activities of an organization for profit, commerce means the whole system of an economy that constitutes an environment for business. The system includes legal, economic, political, social, cultural, and technological systems that are in operation in any...
, or science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, though vocational streams are also available. Upon completing the required coursework, students may enrol in general or professional degree programmes.
Schools
- Berachampa Deulia Uchcha VidyalayaBerachampa Deulia Uchcha VidyalayaBerachampa Deulia Uchcha Vidyalaya is a Higher secondary school at Berachampa of Barasat Subdivision. This is one of the old schools of Barasat Subdivisional area. The school has got permission of Calcutta University and undertaken by government on 2 January 1948.Currently more than 2300 students ...
- Binapani Balika Vidyalaya
- Hadipur Adorsho Vidyalaya
- Deganga Karthikpur Adorsho Vidyapith
- Eajpur High Madrasah
Colleges and universities
Colleges:- Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Polytechnic College
- Chandraketugarh Sahidullah Smriti Mahavidyalaya
- Adamas Institute of Technology]], an Engineering College under the aegis of RICE GROUP, affiliated to West Bengal University of Technology and approved by AICTE.
- Rahmat-E-Alam Mission
Universities:
- West Bengal State UniversityWest Bengal State UniversityWest Bengal State University is a newly established university situated in Barasat, West Bengal, India.All the 59 colleges in the district of North 24 Parganas, which were formerly affiliated with the University of Calcutta, are affiliated to this university.-History:The Government of West Bengal...
Media
The media in Berachampa tends to be dominated by that of Kolkata. Bengali language newspapers like Anandabazar PatrikaAnandabazar Patrika
Anandabazar Patrika is an Indian Bengali language daily newspaper published in Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai by the ABP Group. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.28 million copies making it the largest circulation for a single-edition, regional language...
, Aajkaal
Aajkaal
Aajkaal is a Bengali newspapers in Kolkata, India. The newspaper was started in 1981 by Abhik Kumar Ghosh, and was part of the transformation of the Indian newspaper industry in the 1980s...
, Bartaman
Bartaman
Bartaman Patrika is an Indian Bengali language daily newspaper published in Kolkata by Bartaman Pvt. Ltd. Apart from the Kolkata edition, the newspaper has four other simultaneous editions, published daily from four major towns of West Bengal -- Siliguri, Burdwan, Malda and Midnapore...
, Sangbad Pratidin
Sangbad Pratidin
Sangbad Pratidin is an Indian Bengali newspaper published from Kolkata, India. It started publishing from 9 August 1992, owned by Swapan Sadhan Basu....
, and Ganashakti
Ganashakti
Ganashakti Patrika is the official mouthpiece of the Communist Party of India West Bengal State Committee, which first appeared as a fortnightly in 1967...
are widely circulated. Regional and national English newspapers such as The Telegraph
The Telegraph (Kolkata)
The Telegraph is an Indian daily newspaper founded and continuously published in Kolkata since 1982. It is published by the ABP Group and the newspaper vies with the Times of India for the position of having the widest widest circulation of any newspaper in Eastern India.According to the Audit...
, The Statesman
The Statesman
The Statesman is an Indian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper founded in 1875 and published simultaneously in Kolkata, New Delhi, Siliguri and Bhubaneswar. The Statesman is owned by The Statesman Ltd., its headquarters at Statesman House, Chowringhee Square, Calcutta and its national...
, Asian Age
Asian Age
The Asian Age is an Indian daily newspaper with editions in four major cities in India and one in London. The newspaper was launched in February 1994, simultaneously in Delhi, Mumbai and London. At present, it has editions in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and London. The Asian Age brings out...
, Hindustan Times
Hindustan Times
Hindustan Times is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded in 1924 with roots in the Indian independence movement of the period ....
and The Times of India
The Times of India
The Times of India is an Indian English-language daily newspaper. TOI has the largest circulation among all English-language newspaper in the world, across all formats . It is owned and managed by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd...
are available. Kolkata's radio stations are available here. Local FM
Frequency modulation
In telecommunications and signal processing, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency. This contrasts with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is varied while its frequency remains constant...
radio stations include: AIR
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
Kolkata (FM Rainbow & FM Gold), Radio Mirchi
Radio Mirchi
Radio Mirchi is a nationwide network of private FM radio stations in India. It is owned by the Entertainment Network India Ltd , which is one of the subsidiaries of The Times Group....
, Red FM
Red FM (India)
Red FM is an Indian FM radio brand, with stations broadcasting at 93.5 megahertz in the cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Kanpur in addition to Jamshedpur, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Indore, Nashik, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Gulbarga, Kochi, Trivandrum, Thrissur, Kannur,...
, Aamar FM
Aamar FM
Aamar FM is a FM radio channel in Kolkata, India. The on- air presentation language of the station is in the Bengali language, the only private radio station to do so....
, Gyan Vani
Gyan Vani
Gyan Vani is an educational FM radio station in several cities of India.-Description:Gyan Vani is an educational FM Radio station in several cities of India...
, Fever FM, Radio One, Meow FM, BIG FM and Power FM
Power FM
Power FM redirects here and refers to the former UK radio station. For the Australian radio station network of the same name, see Power FM Network. For the English language broadcaster based in the Canary Islands see Power FM Canary Islands...
. The state-owned television broadcaster Doordarshan
DoorDarshan
Doordarshan is an Indian public service broadcaster, a division of Prasar Bharati. It is one of the largest broadcasting organizations in India in terms of the infrastructure of studios and transmitters. Recently, it has also started Digital Terrestrial Transmitters. On September 15, 2009,...
provides two free terrestrial channels, while MSO
Multi system operator
A Multiple System Operator or Multi System Operator is an operator of multiple cable television systems. A cable system in the United States, by Federal Communications Commission definition, is a facility serving a single community or a distinct governmental entity, each with its own franchise...
provides a mix of Bengali, Hindi, English and other regional channels via cable
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
.
Sports
Football is the main sport in the town, though cricketCricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
is also popular. Traditional Indian sports like Kabbadi and kho-kho are also played.
An IFA-affiliated football coaching centre (Devalaya ambikanagar football coaching centre) is solely run by Biswanath mondal (locally known as "Lalu da"). From the beginning, his dream was to produce great footballers, who would hopefully go on to play for the Indian national team
India national football team
The Indian national football team is the national football team of India and is governed by the All India Football Federation. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation. Since 1948, the AIFF has been affiliated with FIFA, the international governing body for football. In 1954, AIFF became...
. He has been teaching football for 15 years, at no cost to students. Everyday practice takes place at AJC polytechnic college ground. Some football academies, such as TFA and SAIL, have visited the centre, scouting footballers for their academies. Some players, such as Hachibuddin Mondal, Mohidul Islam and Monirul Mondal, play for the Mohameddan sporting club.
Healthcare
Berachampa is one of the areas where ground water is affected by arsenic contaminationArsenic contamination of groundwater
Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a natural occurring high concentration of arsenic in deeper levels of groundwater, which became a high-profile problem in recent years due to the use of deep tubewells for water supply in the Ganges Delta, causing serious arsenic poisoning to large numbers of...
.
The North 24 Parganas District Hospital is located in Barasat. Berachampa also has several privately-operated nursing homes and hospitals, such as the United Nursing Home, Janoseva Nursing Home, and Sundarban Nursing Home, along with an ayurvedic pharmaceuticals company.
Notable people
- Warren Hestings, lived in Berachampa during the early 18th century.
- Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the deputy magistrate of 24 Parganas in the 19th century.
- Peary Charan Sarkar, notable scholar, was headmaster of Barasat Government High School.
- Dr. Shahidullah, a linguist and novelist, lived in Berachampa.
External links
- Census 2001 data
- Kolkata Football
- Reference Study for Chandraketugarh
- Chandraketugarh Shahidullah Smriti Mahavidyalaya
- AJC Bose Polytechnic College
- Chandraketugarh Behala Museum
- Berachampa Location
- Bus route
- Ruin of Chandraketu Garh
- India9 Location
- Berachampa Deulia Uchcha Vidyalaya
- News and reports (paper cutting)