Aizawl | |
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— Capital. — | |
A view of Aizawl | |
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Coordinates: 23°43′38″N 92°43′04″E / 23.72722°N 92.71778°ECoordinates: 23°43′38″N 92°43′04″E / 23.72722°N 92.71778°E | |
Country | India |
State | Mizoram |
District | Aizawl |
Area | |
• Total | 457 km2 (176 sq mi) |
Elevation | 1,132 m (3,714 ft) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 291,822 |
• Density | 234/km2 (610/sq mi) |
Languages | |
• Official | Mizo |
Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
PIN | 796001 |
Telephone code | 0389 |
Vehicle registration | MZ |
Sex ratio | 1024 females per 1000 males ♂/♀ |
Website | aizawl.nic.in |
Aizawl (pronunciation: 'ʔʌɪ.'zɔ:l, listen (help·info)) is the capital of the state of Mizoram in India. With a resident population 291,822,[1] it is the largest city within the state. It is also the center of all important government offices, state assembly house and civil secretariat. The population of Aizawl strongly reflects the different communities of the ethnic Mizo people.
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History
In 1871-72, the disorderly conduct of Khalkom, a Mizo chief compelled the British to establish an outpost that later became the Aizawl village.[2] In 1890, Officer Dally of the Assam Police and his 400 men arrived at Aizawl to support Colonel Skinner's troops during a British military operation against the Mizo tribals. On Dally's recommendation, Aizawl was selected as the site of a fortified post that Colonel Skinner had been ordered to construct. The troops constructed stockades and buildings at the site.[3] In 1892-95 Aizawl became accessible from Silchar by fair weather road under the supervision of Major Loch. The Indian Air Force carried out air strikes on the town during the March 1966 Mizo National Front uprising, following which the MNF withdrew to Lunglei.[4] Until 1966, Aizawl was a large village but the regrouping of Mizo villages after the uprising made it become a larger town and then a city. Aizawl has become the center of Road network in Mizoram connecting the North and South, East and West. More than 25% of the Mizoram population reside in Aizawl.
Geography
Aizawl is located north of the Tropic of Cancer in the northern part of Mizoram. It is situated on a ridge 1,132 metres (3715 ft) above sea level, with the Tlawng river valley to its west and the Tuirial river valley to its east.
Climate
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Climate chart (explanation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Aizawl has a mild, sub-tropical climate due to its location and elevation. Under the Köppen climate classification, Aizawl features a humid subtropical climate albeit a more moderate version of the climate. In the summer the temperature ranges from 20-30 degrees Celsius, and in the winter 11-21 degrees Celsius.[5]
Climate data for Aizawl | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Average high °C (°F) | 20.5 (68.9) |
22.0 (71.6) |
25.3 (77.5) |
27.2 (81) |
26.6 (79.9) |
25.3 (77.5) |
25.3 (77.5) |
25.6 (78.1) |
25.8 (78.4) |
24.6 (76.3) |
22.7 (72.9) |
21.3 (70.3) |
24.3 (75.7) |
Average low °C (°F) | 11.4 (52.5) |
13.5 (56.3) |
15.6 (60.1) |
17.9 (64.2) |
18.6 (65.5) |
19.2 (66.6) |
19.3 (66.7) |
19.2 (66.6) |
19.5 (67.1) |
18.1 (64.6) |
15.1 (59.2) |
12.6 (54.7) |
16.7 (62.1) |
Precipitation mm (inches) | 5.9 (0.232) |
26.5 (1.043) |
77.9 (3.067) |
157.9 (6.217) |
246.5 (9.705) |
477.2 (18.787) |
276.4 (10.882) |
304.7 (11.996) |
285.0 (11.22) |
240.4 (9.465) |
39.9 (1.571) |
7.0 (0.276) |
2,244.7 (88.374) |
Source: IMD |
Cityscape
Civic Administration
The Aizawl Municipal Council is in charge of Civic Administration of Aizawl City. It was formed in 2010 with 19 Members. The Congress ZNP party Coalition was voted to power with 10 members and is being Administered by one Council Chairman, Vice Chairman and three Executive members.[6] The AMC consists of 19 elected members representing 19 Wards of the city of Aizawl and others appointed by the Governor of Mizoram. One-thirds of the total membership is reserved for women, these six seats shall be rotated after every five years. The tenure of the Council is five years.There is a Ward Committee in every Ward. The Ward Committee consists of a Chairman, who is an elected Councilor from that Ward, and two members each from all the Local Councils within the Ward. There is also 78 Local Council in Aizawl with a term of 3 years.[7]
Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[8] Aizawl had a population of 228,280. Males constitute 50.80% of the population and females made up the remaining 49.20%. Mizos from various tribes make up the majority of the population. Christianity is the dominant religion in the city.[9] Other religions include Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism
Presbyterians make up the majority of the population. However, there are also significant numbers of the Salvation Army, Baptists, Seventh Day Adventists, United Pentecostal Church and Roman Catholics in the city. There are also some cultural based Christian sects. Hinduism and Islam are also represented in very small numbers in the city population.
Economy
The Economy of Aizawl is basically sustained by Government services as it is capital of Mizoram. The Major Banks are also located within Aizawl. A 3-star category hotel, Hotel Regency, has recently been inaugurated at Zarkawt, a central location within the city. It provides a much-needed hospitality service for tourists and business visitors to Aizawl.
Transport
Air
Aizawl is connected by Air through Lengpui Airport which it is situated near Aizawl. The Airport provides connectivity to Kolkata Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Guwahati Airport and Imphal Airport. Air India, Kingfisher Airlines, Jet Airways are the three regular airlines which operate flights to and from Lengpui Airport. A Helicopter service by Pawan Hans[10] has been started which connects the Aizawl with Lunglei, Lawngtlai, Saiha, Chawngte, Serchhip, Champhai, Kolasib, Khawzawl and Hnahthial.[11]
Rail
Mizoram is connected by Railroad up to Bairabi, there are plans to connect Bairabi with Sairang with Broad Gaurge Railway track, near Aizawl. The Government is now planning to start a broad gaurge Bairabi Sairang Railway connection for better connectivity in the state.[12] There is also the plan for 5 km long Aizawl Monorail running between Zemabawk to Kulikawn.
Road
Aizawl is connected by road with Silchar through National Highway 54, with Agartala through National Highway 40 & with Imphal through National Highway 150. The Yellow & White Taxis are widely available, Maruti Taxis are widely used. The Blue & White Mini bus is being operated by Private operators.
Media
Newspaper: The Major Media in Aizawl in Mizo and English Language are:[13]
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Radio: All India Radio also has a studio that host programs at scheduled hours. FM Zoawi is a popular radio station in Aizawl.[20]
Places of Interest
The Main places of interest in Aizawl are:
- Bara Bazar -is the main shopping center of Aizawl in Dawrpui Veng locality. The steep Zion Street is lined with stalls selling garments .The main bazar is where the people are best seen in their traditional costumes selling produce from the farms as well as imports from China brought through Myanmar border area.The Millennium Centre in the same locality is a popular shopping Mall.
- Mizoram State Museum- is located in the center of the town at Zarkawt. This museum gives a good insight into Mizo traditions, culture and history.
- Reiek Tourist Resort a tourist spot 12 km from Aizawl, is a beautiful place at an elevation of 1548 metres with a traditional Mizo Village.
- Durtlang Hills situated on the northern side of Aizawl offers a fine view of the hill station from either Durtlang Hospital or Aizawl Theological College.
- Hmuifang is about 50 km from Aizawl with an elevation of 1619 metres, the mountain is still covered with virgin forests reserved since the Mizo Chief's time[21]
- Berawtlang Tourist Complex situated 7 km from Aizawl is a recreational centre that hosts cultural activities. It is also considered a popular picnic spot.
- Baktawng Village 70 km from Aizawl is the place where Pu Ziona lives with the "worlds largest existing family" with 39 wives, 94 children, 14 daughters-in-law and 33 grandchildren.[22]
- Solomon Temple located in Kidron Valley, Chawlhhmun locality of Aizawl is a grand temple complex operated by Kohran Thianghlim of Mizoram.[23]
- Khuangchera Puk is a cave in Ailawng near Reiek, about 30 km from Aizawl.
Education
Schools run by the Baptist Church of Mizoram, the Presbyterian Church of India (Synod Higher Secondary School), several Roman Catholic religious orders & the Seventh Day Adventists are among the best schools in Aizawl. Other schools include Home Missions School. Pachhunga University College was among the earliest colleges founded in 1958. Aizawl College, the second oldest college in Aizawl City was established in the year 1975. Mizoram University established in 2001 provides affiliation to all the Colleges in Mizoram.[24] Indian Institute of Mass Communication and National Institute of Technology Mizoram has already started operations. Plans are being made to start a medical college in Falkawn.[25]
Sports
Football is the most popular sport in Mizoram with a number of footballers playing in national leagues in different parts of India. Some of the more important playing facilities in Aizawl are:
- Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Mualpui, with a seating capacity of 20,000, is currently being constructed at Mualpui, Aizawl.[26]
- Hawla Indoor Stadium is the largest indoor stadium with basketball, badminton and boxing facilities.
- Lammual stadium is a single tier stadium. The stadium under construction will have a seating capacity of about 5,000 spectators.[27]
Neighborhoods
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References
- ^ "Aizawl City Population". census2011.co.in. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ K. C. Kabra (2008). Economic Growth of Mizoram: Role of Business & Industry. Concept Publishing Company.
- ^ The Making of Aijal
- ^ Hamlet Bareh (2001). Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Mizoram. Mittal Publications. pp. 206–216. ISBN 978-81-7099-787-0.
- ^ "Aizawl - the State Capital". Mizoram. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
- ^ Chetri, Pratap. "AIZAWL GETS ITS FIRST MUNICIPAL COUNCIL". Eastern Panorama. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- ^ Dr. L.H.Chhuanawma. "AIZAWL MUNICIPAL COUNCIL". T Romana College. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Grogan, Paul (31 August 2010). "India: economic growth contrasts with political unrest in a forgotten enclave". The Guardian (London).
- ^ "MIZORAMA HELICOPTER SERVICE TUR CHIEF MINISTER IN HAWNG". Mizoram DIPR. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- ^ "Nilaini atangin ‘Helicopter Service". The Zozam Times. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
- ^ "Broad gauge track project in Mizoram to be over by March 2015". CNN IBN Live. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
- ^ "Accredited Journalists". DIPR Mizoram. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
- ^ "Vanglaini - Mizo Daily Since 1978". vanglaini.org. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ^ "The Zozam Times". Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- ^ "The Aizawl Post". Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- ^ "Virthli". Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- ^ "The Mizoram Post". Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- ^ "Zozam Weekly". Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- ^ "AIR buatsaih FM Zoawi chu le". Vanglaini. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ^ "HMUIFANG TOURIST RESORT". Govt of Mizoram. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
- ^ "Biggest family: Ziona Chana has 39 wives and 94 children: a world record". worldrecordsacademy.org. February 21, 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
- ^ "Solomona Temple Structure". Kohran Thianghlim. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- ^ The Mizoram University Act of 25 April 2000
- ^ "CENTRAL HEALTH SERVICES LEH AIIMS DOCTOR TEN CHIEF MINISTER HMU". DIPR. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ tirhkahthawla. "Mualpui Stadium Design". misual.com. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- ^ "Lammual-ah Gallery sak hna tan dawn ta". The Zozam Times. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
External links
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