Diphu
Diphu | |
---|---|
city | |
Country | India |
State | Assam |
District | East Karbi Anglong |
Government | |
• Body | Diphu Town Committee |
Elevation | 186 m (610 ft) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 61,797 |
Languages | |
• Official | Assamese, English |
• Regional | Karbi, Assamese |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
PIN | 782460, 782462 |
Telephone code | 03671 |
Diphu (Pron:ˈdɪfu:) is the headquarter of East Karbi Anglong district in the state of Assam in India. This small town is a popular tourist hill station for people of nearby cities.
Etymology
Diphu is a Dimasa language for White Water. Di mean Water, Phu mean White. Historically it is said, the stream in diphu carry large amount of sediment during rainy season, giving it the colour of white, hence the name White Water.
Geography
Diphu is located at 25°50′N 93°26′E / 25.83°N 93.43°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 186 metres (610 feet). It is about 270 km by road and 213 km by railways from Guwahati. The town is beautifully located on a hill.
Demographics
As of 2011[update] India census,[2] Diphu had a population of 63,654. Based on population, it is classified as a class-II city (between 50,000 and 99,999 inhabitants). Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Diphu has an average literacy rate of 90%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 94% and, female literacy is 86%. In Diphu, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. The major tribes living in Diphu are Karbi, Dimasa, Bodo, Garo, Rengma Naga and Adivasi.
Culture
The town is home to many indigenous communities and other communities from rest of the country, the Karbis, Dimasa, Boro, Garo being the major tribes of the district. The town truly exhibits the peaceful and harmonious coexistence among them. It houses temples, churches, mosques and a gurudwara. The town celebrates all the major festivals together with much fun-fare. Rongker, Bushu-Dima,[3] Wangala, Bihu, Christmas, Durga Puja, Diwali and other festivals are celebrated with fervour and joy.
Places of interest
- Statue of Rongpharpi Rongbe
- In the middle of the town there is a great statue of Rongpharpi Rongbe and her comrades- a grand sculpture enlivened in the hand of its sculptor. It has immortalised a glorified page of Karbi history. Rongpharpi Rongbe was the first woman who rebelled against exploitation and oppression.
- Taralangso
- It is in the heart of Diphu. The headquarters of "Karbi Cultural Society", which is an established democratic cultural organisation, is permanently set here. The Karbi Youth Festival is celebrated in Taralangso every year. During the festival the place becomes a cultural pilgrimage.
- Botanical Garden
- About 7 km away from Diphu along the Lumding road, there is a botanical garden of Forest west division. The garden is rich in many valuable trees, herbs and orchids.
- Recreation Park
- Situated on the Diphu-Manja road it is a very beautiful garden set up by the forest department. The park has much natural scenery, valuable trees and herbs which attracts many people. There is also boating facility in a lake.
Public parks and gardens
- Recreation Park
- Botanical Garden
- Khorsing Ingti Children Park
- Semsongsing Ingti Memorial Park
- Gandhi Park
Media
- Local Newspapers
- Hill Observer (English daily)
- The Hills Times (English daily)
- Thekar (Karbi daily)
- The Arleng Daily (Karbi daily)
- Pherangke (Karbi daily)
- Radio
- Diphu house an All India Radio station.
- Television
- Diphu house a relay centre for Doordarshan. There is also a CATV operating in the town. Currently, KAT is only local channel in the town.
Education institutions
Universities
- Assam University, Diphu Campus[4]
- IGNOU study centre
Colleges
- B.Ed College
- Commerce College
- Diphu Girl's College
- Diphu Government College
- Diphu Law College
- Renu Terangpi Memorial College
Technical institutes
- Basic Training Centre
- Hindi Teacher Training Centre
- Industrial Training Institute (ITI)
- Polytechnic
- Vocational Training and research Centre (VTRC)
Schools
Institution with boarding facility
- Aturkimi Academy.
- Calvary Home School.
- Covenent High School:
- Hebron, Home for Orphan
- Girl's Hostel
- Boy's Hostel
- D.A.V. Higher Secondary School.
- Diphu Government College:
- Rasinja Girl's Hostel.
- Serdihun Girl's Hostel.
- Waisong Boy's Hostel.
- Don Bosco HIgher Secondary School.
- Home for Destitude and Vagrant Children.
- Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (Diphu).
Projects under way
- Assam Hills Medical College and Research Institute.
Health infrastructure
Hospital
- Diphu Civil Hospital
Transportation
- Road
- Diphu is well connected by Assam State Transport Corporation and private buses to all important towns of Assam. Auto rickshaw is the main mode of local transport. On the north it is covered by NH-36 and on the east by NH-39.
- Rail
- Diphu railway station falls under Northeast Frontier Railway zone of Indian Railways. Many important trains like Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express, Brahmaputra Mail, Kamrup Express etc. passes through Diphu.
Politics
Diphu is part of Autonomous District (Lok Sabha constituency).[5]
Notable personalities
- Biren Sing Engti: Hon'ble M.P.
- Late Semsonsing Ingti: founder of Karbi Anglong district.
- Jayanta Rongpi
See also
References
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Diphu
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ^ Dimasa people#Festivals
- ^ http://www.aus.ac.in/diphucampus.html
- ^ "List of Parliamentary & Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Assam. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2008-10-05.