North 24 Parganas District

North 24 Parganas is a city located in southern West Bengal, India. North 24 Parganas falls within the tropical zone and extends from latitude 22º11 minutes 6 second north to 23º15 minutes and 2 second north and from longitude 88º20 minutes east to 89º5 minutes east.

North 24 Parganas District is environed by Nadia district to the north, Bangladesh (Khulna Division) to the north and east, South 24 Parganas district and Kolkata to the south and Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly districts to the west. Barasat serves as the district headquarters of North 24 Parganas.

North 24 Parganas District is considered the most thickly populated and most economically evolved district in West Bengal. It is one of India`s most industrialised districts. The district is also regarded as the tenth largest district in the state by area, also serving as second most thickly populated district. The total surface area covered by North 24 Parganas is 3781 sq. km, according to the 2007 census. Soil status of the district differs from alluvial to clay loam.

North 24 Parganas district serve as self-governing districts, located to the north-eastern side of Kolkata city. The district is approximately 30 km away from the main city. The outskirts consist of several important tourist attractions. The township is broadly and well connected by roads and railways to Kolkata city. Some important areas in the township include Barasat, Barrackpur, Basirhat, Bidhan Nagar (well known as Salt Lake) etc. The above said areas also take in Old Settlements of European Traders and Gandhi Ghat (in Barrackpur). The primary rivers flowing by North 24 Parganas include Ganga, Ichhamati, Jamuna and Bidyadhari.

North 24 Parganas district can be smoothly and easily accessed from any part of the Kolkata city, its primary neighbour. Jessore Road in the north-eastern direction of Kolkata provides accessibility to North 24 Parganas. Bus services from the city centre and Salt Lake are effortlessly available for the region. The district is further provided with railway services from the city of Kolkata. The railways lines ahead of Dum Dum pass through the region of North 24 Parganas. The nearest airport to North 24 Parganas is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, rather popular as Dum Dum Airport.

Climatic conditions of North 24 Parganas are primarily tropical, like rest of the Gangetic West Bengal. The distinctive times are the monsoons, which lasts from early June to mid September. Weather is foremost dry during the winters (mid November to mid February) and humid during summers. Annual rainfall counts up to 1579mm in normal periods. Temperature in the district ranges from 41 degree centigrade in May (maximum) and 10 degrees Centigrade in January (minimum). Relative humidity in North 24 Parganas fluctuates within 50 percent in March to 90 percent in July.

Since the district of North 24 Parganas is an urban fringe of the metropolitan City Kolkata, the developments and the extremely cosmopolitan urban culture have influenced the district.

Since the independence of India, several schemes for the educational development have been taken in Kolkata and its adjoining parts. Presently the North 24 Parganas is the home of a group of renowned schools, which are either run by the state government or aided by the religious institutions and the private concerns. A bunch of primary and Higher Secondary schools have grown up throughout the district. Since the very beginning of the development programs, government had been successful enough to bring nearly all the students under the school system, thereby inducing the educational development in 24 Parganas.

In the recent times, North 24 Parganas has been considered as the seat of the academics. Apart from the schools, there are about 237 Degree Colleges all are affiliated to the University of Kolkata and 116 Technical schools and Colleges.

Though economy of North 24 Parganas is developing in lightning speed now, yet, in previous times it had to meet with discrepancies. Agriculture being the reigning economical funding in the district, the post-independent times was one of difficulty. Indian Planning Commission however is chalking out several charts to instill betterment in North 24 Parganas economy. The current presence of large-scale industries in the district, with its proximity to Kolkata, makes the district today rich economically, with build up of Information Technology.

Following the cultural tradition of West Bengal, folk culture is also the edifying feature of the cultural life of North 24 Parganas.

The folk culture includes the folk ritual, folk dance and the dramatic performance of the daily life. Jhumur, Tarjagan, Manasa Vasan, Rayani, Austakgan, Banabibir Pala, Tusu, Patar bashi, Bhatiyali etc are the customary folk culture in North 24 Parganas. Some of these are even famous nationwide. During the festivals, the folk dance and stage performance become inevitable. Moreover the folk Culture of 24 Parganas also provide livelihood to a section of rural folk.

Jhumur Dance : Jhumur dance is mostly performed in open places (now-a-days in cultural gatherings also). The male members wear long traditional dresses and keep the rhythm with few traditional instruments: generally a drum, hung on shoulder; a flute and a pair of "Taal" (two metallic discs). The girls mostly perform the dancing part, holding each other`s waist and moving hands and legs forward and backward synchronously.

North 24 Parganas District offers a large number of tourist spots and picnic spots. Some of the most prominent tourist spots are Taki, Machranga Dweep, R S Garden, Badu, Parmadan Wildlife Sanctuary, Gandhi Ghat, Shanti Sorovar, Shyamnagar Rahuta, Panchamukhi Baganbari (Garden House) and many others. This district is proud to have an ancient civilisation of Chandraketugarh, which was developed in the early stage of Indian history.