Thursday, November 4, 2010

JANAKPURI, WEST DELHI (INDIA)

Most of us, the Bengali residents of Janakpuri are the migrants from outside Delhi. We came to this part of State in search of a job and a reasonably cheap residential place, as we had to stay somewhere in Delhi. Delhi provided us with jobs and opportunities for becoming prosperous.

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Even though we have been migrants during the recent time, Delhi had been the seat of attraction for a long time for the migrants from different parts of the world for more than several thousand years! Delhi has therefore, a social face and culture of mixed heritage. The unified but complex fabric of Delhi can be visualized from its history. We can also peep in to the events that evolved over time for the creation of our Janakpuri!

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The present Delhi became the focus of human activities after the British Empire was shifted to this city in 1911 from Kolkata. But another six hundred years earlier, Delhi was important only for parts of the present India; the Turkic and Afghan dynasties ruled from Delhi during 1206-1526, emplacing the Muslim culture. During that period, Delhi was administratively cut off from most parts of our modern India. Sizable parts of the eastern, the southern and the western region of the present India were not then the parts of the land under the rulers of Delhi. The Mughal period (1526-1857) brought in substantial portions of eastern, southern and western India under its control and enlarged the seeds of broader human integration in culture and practices. The British Empire was thereafter responsible for catalyzing total integration of the present day India, where vibrant inter –regional amalgamation stated to be seeded. British India was divided and independent India was created in 1947. This act resulted in huge human migration and increased Delhi's population in a short period. The migrants started to occupy open spaces and the civic services virtually collapsed. This required the creation of a systematic planning and controlling authority to check the haphazard and rapid growth of the city; as a consequence, the Delhi Development (Provisional) Authority was constituted in 1955, which on 30 December 1957 became the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). DDA became the 9th builder of the grand city of Delhi. Our Janakpuri was conceptualized in early sixties; the DDA started allocating built-in flats and developed land thereafter. Brisk growth and expansion of population started from early seventies and it soon became a vibrant residential colony in West Delhi-thanks to the efforts of the DDA. DDA promoted the human intergration process by alloting lands and flats to every Indian from all corners of the country, whoever came to Delhi to stay permanently and had a source of livelihood here.

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The present Janakpuri is one of the best middle class residential colonies in West Delhi. The population is well educated, and comprises of people from different parts and regions of India; the people represent the symbol of integration of varied cultures of the great country. The place is well connected through road and metro transportation. Chartered buses ply from almost all blocks up to the corporate offices in and around the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Good schools like the Central School, the Government Schools, St. Marks, St. Francis de Sales and D.T.E.A Senior Secondary Schools exist. Janakpuri has also a Delhi University College and a technical studies institute. It has a strong network of public health services, which include hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. A super specialty hospital is under construction. Business interest is also vibrant. A state-of-the-art hotel of the Hilton Group is established at the Janakpuri District Centre Complex. A number of Temples such as Paschim Delhi Kali Bari, Sri Rajarajeshwari temple, Kripa Dham, Ganesh Mandir, Shiv Mandir, Hanuman Mandir, Ram Mandir and other temples have been constructed. Gurdwaras, Churches, Masjids and other places of worship are also vibrant. The secular picture of the country that is India is thus truly represented in Janakpuri. The Janakpuri Bengali Association is constructing a community centre, which has been named as the DURGABARI Community Centre. The construction work has made progress at the allotted site of the land.

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Our DURGA BARI is our worshiping place. We have also a project to complete. Our project is moderate with many noble objectives. We would construct a library, promote literacy, train young people in songs, promote learning of dances, and accelerate acquiring the wisdom of computer-operations, set up an internet service and the like. All these can be started after our Community Building DURGA BARI is fully constructed. In the meantime, we extend availing of parts of our space for various social and cultural practices. Anyone around can contact us for their needs.

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Janakpuri in
Delhi is becoming an abode for people of all religions who have migrated to his place from different parts of India.