Jharkhand "The
land of forest" is a state in
eastern India, carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15
November 2000. The state shares its border with the states of Bihar to the
north, Uttar Pradesh to the northwest, Chhattisgarh to the
west, Odisha to the south and West Bengal to the east. It
has an area of 79,710 km2(30,778 sq mi).
Coordinates (Ranchi): 23.35°N
85.33°E
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Country
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India
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Region
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East
India
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Formation
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15
November 2000
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Capital
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Ranchi
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Largest
city
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Jamshedpur
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Districts
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24
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Government
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• Governor
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Draupadi
Murmu
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• Chief Minister
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Raghubar
Das (BJP)
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• Legislature
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Unicameral (81
seats)
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• Parliamentary
constituency
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14
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• High
Court
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Jharkhand
High Court
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Area
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• Total
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79,714 km2(30,778 sq mi)
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Area
rank
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16th
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Population (2011)
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• Total
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32,988,134
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• Rank
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14th
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• Density
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414/km2(1,070/sq mi)
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Time
zone
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UTC+05:30 (IST)
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ISO
3166 code
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IN-JH
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HDI
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 0.376 (low) |
HDI
rank
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19th (2007-08)
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Literacy
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67.6%
(31th)
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Official
language
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Hindi
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Website
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www.jharkhand.gov.in
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The city
of Ranchi is its capital and Dumka its sub capital.
Jharkhand suffers
from resource curse; It accounts for more than 40% of
the mineral resources of India, but it suffers widespread poverty as
39.1% of the population is below the poverty line and 19.6% of the children
under five years of age are malnourished. The state is primarily rural,
with only 24% of the population living in cities.
According to writers
including Gautam Kumar Bera, there was already a distinct geo-political,
cultural entity called Jharkhand even before the Magadha Empire. During
the age of Mahajanpadas around 500 BC, Jharkhand state was a part
of Magadha, Anga, Banga, Kalinga, Kashi and Vajji.
Jharkhand was part of greater Magadha region and was in some way
culturally different from Historical Vedic religion.
Geography:
Jharkhand is located in
the eastern part of India and is enclosed by Bihar to the northern
side, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh to the western
side, Odisha to the southern part and West Bengal to the
eastern part.
Jharkhand envelops a
geographical area of 79.70 lakh hectare. Much of Jharkhand lies on
the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Many rivers pass through the Chota Nagpur
plateau. They are: Damodar, Brahmani,
Koel, Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers. The higher
watersheds of these rivers stretch out within the Jharkhand state. Much of the
Jharkhand state is still enclosed by forest. Forests sustain the population of
Elephants and tigers.
Administrative
districts:
The state was formed
with 18 districts that were formerly part of south Bihar. Some of these
districts were reorganised to form 6 new districts, namely, Latehar, Saraikela
Kharsawan, Jamtara, Sahebganj, Khunti and Ramgarh. At present, the state has 5
Divisions and 24 Districts. One interesting thing about Jharkhand is that all
its districts, except Lohardaga and Khunti, share a border with a neighboring
state.
Divisions and districts:
Palamu
Division
Garhwa
Palamu
Latehar
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North
Chotanagpur Division
Chatra
Hazaribag
Giridih
Koderma
Dhanbad
Bokaro
Ramgarh
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South
Chotanagpur Division
Ranchi
Lohardaga
Gumla
Simdega
Khunti
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Kolhan
Division
West
Singhbhum
Seraikela
Kharsawan
East
Singhbhum
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Santhal
Pargana Division
Deoghar
Jamtara
Dumka
Godda
Pakur
Sahebganj
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| Parasnath Hills Jharkhand |
Hills
and Mountain Ranges:
Tagore Hill:
The Tagore Hill is also recognized as the Morabadi Hill. The Tagore
hill is located in Morabadi, Ranchi. The brother of Rabindranath Tagore,
Jyotirindranath Tagore had made a tour at Ranchi in the year 1908.
Canary Hill: Canary Hill is
surrounded by parks and has 3 tiny lakes. Canary hill has a surveillance
tower. From the hill’s top there are views of the township.
Parasnath Hill:
Parasnath Hill is also recognized as Sri Sammed Sikharji. The Parasnath Hill is
situated in Giridih district of Jharkhand. It is a chief Jain pilgrimage site
and the holy place for Jains. It is believed in the Jain culture that 20 of the
24 Tirthankaras attained Moksha from this place. The height of the hill is
1,350 meters.
Fuldungri: Fuldungri is
situated on a small hill near Ghatshila town. Fuldungri’s peak has view of the
nearby hills and valleys. Burudih Lake is situated seventeen kilometers North
of Fuldungri.
Trikut Hill: Trikut
Hill is located ten kilometers away from Deoghar and lies on the way to Dumka
in Jharkhand. Trikut hill is also called Trikutchal because there are 3 major
peaks on the hill. The height of Trikut hill is 2470 feet.
Nandan Hill: Nandan
hill is a small hill binding the township which has a Nandi Temple. The Nandan
hill is located in front of the Shiv temple. It is also surrounded by a lake.
Ranchi Hill: The Ranchi
Hill is an attractions in Ranchi, Jharkhand. At Ranchi Hill’s pinnacle, there
is a holy place dedicated to Lord Shiva. At the pedestal of the hill of Ranchi
there is a lake, Ranchi Lake.
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| Dassam Fall, Ranchi |
Main
Rivers:
Sone River: Origin
of Sone River: Amarkantak, Cities on the Shore of Sone River: Sidhi, Dehri,
Patna
Subarnarekha River:
Origin of Subarnarekha River: Chota Nagpur Plateau, Cities on the Shore of
Subarnarekha River: Chandil, Jamshedpur, Ghatshila, Gopiballavpur
Damodar River: Origin of Damodar
River: Chota Nagpur Plateau, Cities on the Shore of Damodar River: Bokaro,
Asansol, Raniganj, Durgapur, Bardhaman
South Koyal River:
Origin of South Koyal River: Chota Nagpur Plateau, Cities on the Shore of South
Koyal River: Manoharpur
Ajay River: Origin of
Ajay River: Munger, Cities on the Shore of Ajay River: Churulia, Chittaranjan,
Ilambazar, Jaydev Kenduli
Phalgu River: Origin of
Phalgu River: Northern Chota Nagpur Plateau, City on the Shore of Phalgu River:
Gaya
Mayurakshi River:
Origin of Mayurakshi River: Trikut hill, City on the Shore of Mayurakshi River:
Suri.
Languages:
Hindi is the official
language in Jharkhand. Jharkhand has accorded second language status to Angika,
Bengali, Bhojpuri, Ho, Khadiya, Khurkhu, Maithili, Mundari, Nagpuri, Odia,
Santali and Urdu.
Religion: As per the 2011 census, Hinduism is the majority religion in the state at 67.8%, followed by Islam at 14.5% and Christianity at 4.3%. Other religions, primarily Sarnaism, constitute 12.8% of the population.
Folk Music and Dance: There
are several Folk dance in Jharkhand such
as: Jhumar, Damkach, Fagua, Karma
Naach and Chhau. The musical instruments used in folk song and dance
are Mander/Madal,
Dholki/Dhol, Bansuri, Nagara, Dhak, Shehnai, Narsinga etc.
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| Jharkhand Coal Mine |
Economy:
Jharkhand has several
towns and innumerable villages with civic amenities. Urbanization ratio is
24.1% and the per capita annual income is US$726.8.
Jharkhand also has immense mineral resources:
minerals ranging from (ranking in the country within bracket)
from iron ore (1st), coal(3rd), copper ore(1st), mica (1st), bauxite (3rd), Manganese,
limestone, chinaclay, fireclay, graphite (8th), kainite (1st), chromite
(2nd), asbestos (1st),
thorium (3rd), sillimanite, uranium (Jaduguda
mines, Narwa Pahar) (1st) and even gold (Rakha Mines) (6th)
and silver and several other minerals. Large deposits of coal and
iron ore support concentration of industry, in centres
like Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Bokaro and Ranchi. Tata Steel,
a S&P CNX 500 conglomerate has its corporate office and main
plant in Tatanagar, Jharkhand. It reported a gross income of 204,910
million for 2005. NTPC will start coal production from its captive mine in
state in 2011–12, for which the company will be investing about Rs 1,800 crore.
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Ranchi Birsa Munda Airport (XRI)
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Transport:
Air
Ranchi Airport is
the largest domestic airport in the state with air connectivity to major Indian
cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore,
Mumbai, Hyderabad among others. Other airports present in the
state are Bokaro Airport, Jamshedpur Airport, Chakulia Airport,
Dumka Airport and Dhanbad Airport who mostly run private
and charter flights.
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| NH33, Jharkhand |
Roads
Jharkhand has extensive
network of National Highways and State Highways. There is
2,661.83 kilometres (1,653.98 mi) of paved National Highways in the state
as of 2016. The National highways present in the state are
numbered 2, 6, 23, 31, 32, 33, 43, 75, 78, 80, 98, 99, 100,
114A, 133, 133B, 133A, 143A, 220,
333, 333A, 343 and 419. The Golden Quadrilateral network
of Delhi – Kolkata route runs through Jharkhand notably at
Dhanbad.
Ports
Jharkhand is landlocked
state but has numerous rivers and waterways. A multi-model
port has been planned at Sahebganj where
river Ganges flows. The project is estimated to cost INR 6,500
crores and phase-1 is estimated to be completed by 2019.
Rail
Jharkhand is very well
connected by railways and has numerous railway stations.
Education:
As per the 2011 census
conducted by Government of India the official literacy rate for the
state was 67.63% (male: 78.45%; female: 56.21%) with nine districts above the
average literacy rate:
Ranchi: 77.13% (male:
85.53%; female: 68.20%)
East Singhbhum: 76.13%
(male: 84.51%; female: 67.33%)
Dhanbad: 75.71% (male:
85.68%; Female: 64.70%)
Ramgarh: 73.92% (male:
83.51%; female: 63.49%)
Bokaro: 78.48% (male:
84.50%; female: 61.46%)
Hazaribagh: 70.48%
(male: 81.15%; female: 59.25%)
Saraikela Khasawan:
68.85% (male: 81.01%; female: 56.19%)
Kodarma: 68.35% (male:
81.25%; female: 54.77%)
Lohardaga: 68.29%
(male: 78.62%; female: 57.86%)
Deoghar: 66.34% (male:
79.13%; female: 53.39%)
Since the formation of
the new state, the Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) has been
implementing four projects to spread elementary education: DPEP, SSA, NPEGEL,
and KGBV. The state has been moving towards the goal of universal elementary
education but the target of 100% enrolment and retention of children in schools
has not yet been attained.
Jharkhand has made
primary education so accessible that 95% of children of ages 6–11 are enrolled
in school, as opposed to 56% in 1993–94; this will likely improve literacy a
great deal. Some of the better-known schools that operate nationally and
regionally are Vikas Vidyalaya, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, DAV Hehal, St.
Thomas School, Delhi Public School, Oxford Public School, De Nobili
School, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Chinmaya Public School, Loyola school, Sacred Heart
School, St. Xavier's, Shishu Mandir, and Surendranath Centenary School.
Students from Jharkhand rank well in most competitive exams at the national
level.
Schools:
The medium of
instruction in schools
is Hindi/English with English/Hindi/Sanskrit/Bengali/Odia as
second language. After 10 years of schooling, students can join 2 years of
Intermediate course (or +2 courses) in Arts, Science and Commerce.
This is followed by 3
years of degree courses (graduation) or 4 years
of Engineering/Agriculture/Medicine degree.
On May 2008, Jharkhand
became the first in India to introduce free haircuts for poor
students. 40,000 barbers will be employed with a monthly salary of
1000 rupees (25 US dollars) which will cost the state government 40 million
rupees (1 million US dollars).
Universities
and colleges:
Birsa
Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi
Central
University of Jharkhand, Brambe, Ranchi
Jharkhand Rai
University, Ranchi
Kolhan
University, Chaibasa
National
University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi
Nilamber
Pitamber University, Medininagar
Ranchi
University, Ranchi
Sido Kanhu Murmu
University, Dumka
Vinoba Bhave
University, Hazaribagh
Autonomous:
Indian Institute
of Information Technology, Ranchi
Indian Institute
of Management Ranchi
Indian Institute
of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad
National
Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology (NIFFT), Ranchi
National
University of Study and Research in Law
National
Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur
St. Xavier's
College, Ranchi
Xavier Institute
of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi
Xavier Labour
Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur
Agriculture:
Indian Institute
of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ranchi
Engineering
Birla Institute
of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi
Birsa Institute
of Technology Sindri, Dhanbad
Cambridge
Institute of Technology, Ranchi
DAV Institute of
Engineering & Technology, Daltonganj
R.V.S College of
Engineering and Technology, Jamshedpur
Management
Institute of
Management Studies, Ranchi IMS-RU
Medical colleges
M.G.M. Medical
College, Jamshedpur
Patliputra
Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Dhanbad
Rajendra
Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi
Psychiatry
Central
Institute of Psychiatry
Health:
Because of its mild
climate, Jharkhand, particularly its capital Ranchi, has been like a health
resort. As far back as 1918, facilities were set up for treatment
of mentally challenged. European Mental Hospital was established
along with Indian Mental Hospital. Today they are called Central Institute of
Psychiatry and Ranchi Institute of Neuro-psychiatry and Allied Sciences
respectively. In certain areas of Jharkhand, poverty and consequent malnutrition
have given rise to diseases like tuberculosis (TB). In fact, TB has
assumed epidemic proportions in certain areas of the state. For
management and treatment of such TB, Itki TB Sanatorium, Ranchi, established in
1928 has been doing exemplary work as a premier institute for clinical and
programmatic management of TB. The Itki TB Sanatorium is well equipped and
accredited by the Indian government for quality assurance and Culture and Drug
Sensitivity Testing for M.TB. It provides free of cost treatment for TB as well
as Drug resistant TB. Likewise, in the field of treatment of cancer, Tata Main
Hospital, Jamshedpur, is rendering pioneering work. In the same way Bokaro
General Hospital equipped with modern facilities for the treatment Cancer and
heart related problems with capacity of 1100 beds one of the largest in eastern
India.
Although several public and private health facilities are available in the state, overall infrastructure for dispensing health related services require improvements. An exception is the famous Tata Motors Hospital which is an example of an ISO 14001 and 18001 certified hospital with DNB teaching facilities.
Fluoride in groundwater presents a public health problem in Jharkhand. A recent survey led by the Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi in collaboration with UNICEF in the northwest districts of Palamau and Garhwa found fluoride levels above the drinking WHO drinking water guidelines. Excessive amounts of fluoride in drinking water can lead to dental fluorosis, prevalent bone fractures, and skeletal fluorosis, an irreversible disabling condition. Some work has focused on combating fluorosis through increased calcium intake by consuming local plants. Researchers at Princeton University and the Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi are currently investigating defluoridation options, while performing an epidemiological survey to assess the extent of fluoride linked health problems and the impact of future interventions.
Almost 80% of Jharkhand's people are farmers, although it contains 40% of India's mineral reserves it has some of India's poorest people, in Summer 2009 the state was threatened by drought, with people criticising the government for not providing food aid or assistance.
African
lions at Tata Steel Zoological Park in Jamshedpur.
Animal husbandry and
veterinary services:
Jharkhand has a
diverse domestic animal population, including local and crossbred
cattle, black Bengal goat, chhotanagpuri sheep, murrah and local buffalo,
broilers and ducks of many varieties. The state Veterinary department runs
Veterinary Dispensaries located throughout Jharkhand and posts Touring
Veterinary officers, Block Animal Husbandry Officers, Touring Veterinary
officers (mobile), Assistant Poultry Officers and Veterinary Surgeons to
support the agricultural industry.
The state has a
Veterinary College located at Kanke, Ranchi.
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| JSCA International Stadium Complex, Dhurwa, Ranchi |
Sports:
Cricket, hockey, and football are
popular games with the people of Jharkhand. Jharkhand has given some brilliant
players like Jaipal Singh, a former Indian hockey captain
and Olympian and Manohar Topno, currently playing for
the Indian Hockey team. Jaipal Singh was the captain of the
hockey team that won the first gold medal for India in the 1928 Summer
Olympics in Amsterdam. Mahendra Singh Dhoni who was the
captain of Indian cricket team and led the Indian cricket
team to ICC Cricket World Cup Glory on 2 April 2011, ending a 28-year
wait to repeat the feat achieved by former Indian captain Kapil
Dev in 1983 at Lord's, England.
Aerial View of JRD
Tata Sports Complex and Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur
Another rising
cricketer from Jharkhand is Varun Aaron, India's fastest bowler and Saurabh
Tiwary, left hand hard hitting batsman of India who represented Mumbai
Indians from the 2008 Indian Premier League and currently
playing for Delhi Daredevils in 2015. He was one of the key batsmen in the
Indian team that won the 2008 U/19 Cricket World
Cup in Malaysia. Ashunta Lakra, sister of Vimal Lakra is the Indian
Hockey Captain currently.And one of the emerging sport personality is Deepika
Kumari, a young Indian athlete who competes in the event of Archery. She won
gold medal in the 2010 Commonwealth games in the women's individual recurve
event.
 |
Former Indian Cricket team Captain
Mahendra Singh Dhoni hails from Ranchi |
An International Cricket
stadium with an indoor stadium and a practice ground has been constructed.
This international stadium has hosted an International Match
between India and England on 19 January 2013. Apart
from that, this stadium has hosted two IPL 6 matches
for KKR and qualifier 2 of IPL
8 between CSK and RCB and Celebrity Cricket League
Matches for Bhojpuri Dabanggs. A Tennis Academy, which was inaugurated
by Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik, also runs besides the Cricket
stadium. Ranchi is among six cities in Hockey India League to be
played in January 2013. Ranchi franchise was bought by Patel-Uniexcel Group and
the team named Ranchi Rhinos which is now being co-hosted by Mahendra
Singh Dhoni and named as Ranchi Rays. Ranchi is also famous for being
the hometown of World Cup winning Captain of Indian Cricket team, Mahendra
Singh Dhoni. India's ace archer Deepika Kumari, gold medal winner
of Commonwealth Games 2010 and current world no.1 rank holder, also
hails from Ranchi.
