Dimapur

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Dimapur v • d • e Nagaland, India
Dimapur
District(s)	Dimapur
Coordinates	25.92° N 93.73° E
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	43 km² (17 mi²) • 195 m (640 ft)
Population • Density	110,000 (2001) • 2,558/km²
Deputy Commissioner	Jyoti Kalash
Codes • Postal • Telephone • Vehicle	• 797 112 • +03862 • NL-07

Coordinates: 25.92° N 93.73° E

Dimapur is the main commercial hub and one of the three municipalities in the state of Nagaland, India, the other two being Kohima and Mokokchung. The name Dimapur comes from the Kachari dialect. Etymologically di means "river", ma means "big" and pur means "city"; in effect, the name means "the city near the great river." It is located at 25°54′45″N, 93°44′30″E.

1 History
2 Demographics
3 Economy and transportation
4 City life
5 Education
6 Hospitals
7 Media
8 See also
9 External links
10 Gallery

[edit] History

"Dimapur" is a later appellation. The Kachari tribe did not have a name for this city, though the Ahoms called it Che-din-chi-pen, or "the brick city". It was also called Che-dima, meaning "city on the Dima River".

Dimapur has the ruins of the 14th century Kachari palace, maintained by the Archaelogical Survey of India.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census^GRIndia, Dimapur had a population of 110,000. Males constitute 57% of the population and females 43%. Dimapur has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76% and, female literacy is 66%. In Dimapur, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The main city has a population of 110,000 inhabitants, as of the 2001 census. Apart from the main city, Dimapur has a vast urban sprawl which continues up to the district headquarter-Chumukedima, also called Nichuguard. This agglomeration has an estimated population of around 220,000 and is one of the fastest growing Indian cities. Its population has more than tripled in the last two decades.

Unlike other places in the state, this city has a heterogeneous mix of people from all over India, and for which it is also known as "mini India." Besides the dominant Naga tribes who comprise about 50% of the city's population, other prominent groups include Bengalis, Assamese, Nepalese, Biharis, Marwaris, Punjabis and also Tamils and Keralites. In the last two decades Tibetan traders have also settled in the city.

[edit] Economy and transportation

Dimapur is the magnet around which the economic and developmental activities of the state are centred. An important commercial centre for the region, it is also a gateway to Nagaland and Manipur. The National Highway 39 that connects Kohima, Imphal and the Myanmar border at Moreh runs through Dimapur.

Dimapur is also an important military center, with the headquarters of the BRO Sewak located here. There is also a huge CRPF establishment and the Rangapahar army cantonment (the 3rd Corps of Indian Army) adjoining the municipality. The peace camp headquarters of the NSCN-IM faction is also located here.

Dimapur is the only city in Nagaland which is connected by rail and air. There are direct trains to New Delhi and Kolkata from Dimapur. There are also daily flights to Kolkata from Dimapur.

[edit] City life

A number of shopping centers and markets have sprung up in Dimapur, with the New Market, Hong Kong Market, Circular and NL roads serving as the main commercial areas in the city. There are many restaurants and joints serving Indian, Chinese and Naga delicacies.

Dimapur is the only place in Nagaland that does not require the Inner Line Permit (ILP), but one needs the Restricted Area Permit to go beyond the city. Formalities can be completed in the Office of the Deputy Commissioner. Dimapur remains the gateway to the states of Nagaland and Manipur. Recently, the Government of Nagaland has relaxed restriction on ownership of land in Dimapur and has permitted non-Nagas to also purchase land.

The Government of Nagaland's horticulture farm, aptly called the Green Park, is a happening hang-out for tourists and locals alike. On the outskirts is the suburb of Chumukedima from where one can take a short trek up the hill to the Naga tourist village and the Seithikima falls. The North East Zonal Cultural Center, the hub for all cultural activities, is a kilometer away from the Airport.

[edit] Education

Some major schools in Dimapur include:

Kendriya Vidyalaya (Central School)
Sharon High School
Holy Cross High School
Pranab Vidyapith Higher Secondary School
Christian Higher Secondary School
Delhi Public School
Don Bosco School
St. Paul's School
Little Star High School
S.D.Jain High School.
Pranab Vidyapith Higher Secondary School
MGM School
Carmel School, 3rd Mile
St.John School, Diphu
St.John School, Diphupar B
L.P School, Diphupar B
King's Way School Purana Bazar

Some important colleges include:

Patkai Christian College (autonomous)
Salesian College
Good Shepherd Seminary
Pranabananda Women's College
Dimapur College
Trinity Theological College
Tetso college, Diphupar B

[edit] Hospitals

There are several hospitals in the city:

Civil Hospital
Referral Hospital (underway)
Faith Hospital
Metro Hospital
Carewell Nursing Home
zion research center

During World War II, Dimapur was the centre of action between British India and Imperial Japan.

[edit] Media

Daily newspapers in the area include: 1. Nagaland Post - http://www.nagalandpost.com
2. The North East Herald - http://thenortheastherald.com/
3. Nagaland Page
4. The Eastern Mirror
5. The Morung Express - http://www.morungexpress.com , and
6. Tir Yimyim (in the vernacular Ao language).
7. Izatsa ( in Sema language).

City Cable operates the cable television network in Dimapur.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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This article has been tagged since December 2006.