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'Cuttack' (derived from the Sanskrit word 'Kataka', which signifies a ''military camp'' or a fort or a Government seat protected by an army) is one of the oldest cities in India and the Business Capital of Orissa. It is situated in a tongue of land formed by the Mahanadi River and its main branch the Kathajodi River at their points of bifurcation in . Its actual pronunciation is 'Katak'.
Cuttack is also the headquarters of Cuttack District. It lies near Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark. It is more than a thousand years old, and was the capital of Orissa for almost nine centuries, before Bhubaneswar was made the capital city. With its world famous unique filigree works in silver, ivory and brass works and textiles of woven silk and cotton, Cuttack is perhaps the grandest showroom of Orissa.

Contents

History

Geography

Demographics

Facilities

Festivals

'Eye Hospital & Research Institute'

'Clinic & Services'

News Papers

Educational Centres

External links

References

History

Early history of Cuttack is associated with the Keshari dynasty. As stated by the distinguished historian A. Stirling, present-day Cuttack was established as a military cantonment by king Nrupa Keshari of Keshari dynasty in 989 A.D. Stirling based his opinion on Madalapanji, a chronicle of lord Jagannath temple of Puri. The reign of Markata Keshari was distinguished for the stone embank built to protect the new capital from flood in 1002 A.D.
Historical evidence suggests Cuttack becoming capital of a Kingdom founded by Anangabhimadeva of Ganga dynasty in 1211 A.D. After the end of Ganga rule, Orissa passed to the hands of the Gajapati Kings (1435-1541 A.D.) of Solar dynasty under whom Cuttack continued to be the capital of Orissa. After the death of Mukunda deva, the last Hindu king of Orissa, Cuttack first came under Muslim rules and later under Mughals.
By 1750, Cuttack came under Maratha rules and it grew fast as a business center being the
convenient point of contact between the Marathas of Nagpur and the English Merchants of Bengal. It was occupied by the British in 1803 and later became the capital of Orissa division in 1816. From 1948 onwards, when the capital was shifted to Bhubaneswar, the city remained the administrative headquarters of Orissa.
Remnants of an old fort called Barabati still exist in the heart of Cuttack with the moat around the fort. Nearby is a modern stadium called the Barabati Stadium, host to many national and international matches. Recent growth of the city has resulted in expansion across the river Kathjori and a newer township towards the head of the delta formed between the distributary Kathjori river and the Mahanadi. Cuttack is referred to as a city with ''Babaan Bazaar,Teppan Galee'' i.e. a city having 52 markets and 53 streets.
Here is situated a Holy Historical Sikh Shrine "''The Gurdwara Daatan Sahib''". It is here that the first Sikh Guru, Shree Guru Nanak Dev halted on his way to Puri.It is believed that a Tree planted by him after using it as a Tooth Cleaner still flourishes here, Hence the name Daatan Sahib.

Geography

Cuttack is located at ^[1]. It has an average elevation of 37 metres (121 feet). Cuttack is located at the apex of delta formed by the rivers Mahanadi in the north and Kathajodi in the south. The city experiences a hot and humid climate in Summer, characterized by temperature going up as high as above 40 °C and a dry and cold climate in Winter, with mercury dipping to as low as below 10 °C. Summer starts at the end of March, the effect of which is felt till the middle of June when monsoon sets in. Monsoon rains lash the city during September to middle of October and supply most of the city's annual average rainfall of 144.39 cm.
Winter season, between November and beginning of January is characterized by wind chill from north and long nights when sun sets in around 5:30 p.m. IST in December. People wear heavy wollen clothes at night to beat the Winter.
Between middle of January to the middle of March, the climate is pleasant with temperatures ranging a minimum of 22.2 °C and a maximum of 33.4 °C, which is ideal to visit the city.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census^[2], Cuttack had a population of 535,139. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Cuttack has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80% and, female literacy is 69%. In Cuttack, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Facilities

Modern Cuttack houses Barabati stadium, an important venue for international cricket matches. It is world famous for its filigree works in silver and also works of ivory. Cuttack has many educational institutions of national repute, like the Ravenshaw College, and national research laboratories like the Central Rice Research Institute,which is a premier institute of rice research in the whole of South Asia. The Shri Ramachandra Bhanja Medical College and hospital is the largest hospital in Orissa.
The remains of Barabati Fort stands near the Barabati stadium. Currently the Archeological survey of India is doing excavation work. The Gateway to the Fort is still intact.
Ravenshaw college which created several topclass officials and academicians, situated here. This college has a prestigious history. Nobel laureate Professor C.V Raman worked here for some time.
There are many Engineering colleges and a Government Medical college too. It is a district headquarters and has many historical sites. Towards its north lies the Aviation research centre, an arm of the intelligence agency RAW of the government of India. It lies on the national highway no. 5, connecting Kolkata and Chennai. Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) is also located in Bidyadharpur,Cuttack. Well connected by rail, it is an important hub for most trains. The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik Airport, which is 28 km away.
It is noted for having been the birthplace of the prominent Indian statesman, independence leader and freedom-fighter Subhash Chandra Bose. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose studied in an anglo school till standard 6 which is now known as Stewart School and then shifted to Ravenshaw Collegiate school of Cuttack.

Festivals

Orissa has several festivals. All those festivals are celebrated at Cuttack. But the Unique festivals of Cuttack are Dushera and Baliyatra. Dushera is the festival of goddess Durga. It is celebrated with much fanfare throughout the city. Baliyatra is the festival of remembering the ancient tradition of trade between Orissa and java, Bali and Sumatra. It is held every year in the month of November. Among other celebrations the Kite flying festival is very much attractive. It is held in the month of January.

'Eye Hospital & Research Institute'

Cuttack is proud to have ''JPM Rotary Eye Hospital & Reasearch Institute' which is a recognised institution by WHO and Government of India for micro surgeries.The hospital runs under the management of The Rotary Club of Cuttack Charitable Trust which is part of Rotary Club of Cuttack, the oldest Rotary club of Cuttack. TheHospital was started at Bidanasi, Cuttack in March,1991 and was inaugurated on 14th January, 1992.
This Institution was set up for undertaking mostly cataract surgeries but has grown into a referral Tertiarry Center of excellence. Most complicated Retinal Surgeries, Cataract with Glaucoma surgeries and surgeries for cataract and other diseases for the children are conducted here with excellent results. Squint surgery on children have become very popular. We are pioneers and are leaders in the State as regards Vitreo Retinal Surgery and Paediatric Surgery.

'Clinic & Services'

Several sub specialty clinics are run for management and administration of prompt and efficient eye care services to the needy patients. The clinics are manned by well qualified and efficient specialists who devotedly work towards alleviating the plights of the patients and exercise due care and caution while dispensing their service to the paying patients as well as the underprivileged class of the society.
The Hospital has the following services:
' OUT PATIENT DEPARTMENT
CONTACT LENS
CATARACT
GLAUCOMA CLINIC
SQUINT & OCCULOPIASTY
VIREO -RETINAL CLINIC
FUNDS FLOURESCENT ANGIOGRAPHY
PAEDIATRIC
FACULTY, EDUCATION & TRAINING'
This Institution has been recognized by World Bank, WHO, Govt. of India as the only recognized training center in the whole of Eastern India. Ophthalmologists are trained for performing competently and skillfully Cataract surgeries and also up-grade their knowledge. Doctors from Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, M.P., Chhatisgarh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal etc. in addition to our own state and from abroad have been satisfactorily trained.
Continuing Education Programmes are conducted at the Institute in collaboration with other Institutions/Agencies. This Institution is the first in the State to be accredited by the DNB Board. The Institute has been authorized to accept two primary candidates (post MBBS) and two secondary candidates (post Diploma in Ophthalmology) each year starting January 2006.
Practical hands-on training courses in IOL in cataract are regularly given. This Institution is approved by both the Central and the State Governments for such training for period of two months, to Ophthalmologists having PG Degree/Diploma in Ophthalmology. Long term Fellowship is offered in IOL, Glaucoma, Retina and Paediatric Ophthalmology. Long-term Residential courses are also available in Retina and Paediatric Ophthalmology besides short-term observership for Ophthalmologists in all sub-specialties .
Paramedical courses in Ophthalmic practice – A work oriented education and training course for two years or more, leading to Diploma in Clinical Ophthalmic Assistants, is ongoing. Students are encouraged to join the Ophthalmic Clinical Assistant training on completion of their + 2 level courses for supporting the Clinical people in the Institute. The Institute has successfully trained 70 Ophthalmic Clinical Assistants who have been absorbed in the Clinical Establishment throughout the State and outside.
Contact - [1]

News Papers

★ The Samaja

★ Pragativadi

★ Orissa Sambad

★ Dharitri

★ [2]

Educational Centres

Cuttack has several educational institutions including the following:

★ Ravenshaw College

★ Shri Ramachandra Bhanj Medical College

★ Jatiya Kabi Bira Kishore Govt. College

★ D.A.V. Public Schools(2 high schools and 3 feeders)

★ S. C. B. Medical Public School

★ Stewart School

★ St Joseph's Girls' high School

★ Cambridge School

★ Ravenshaw Collegiate School

★ Ravenshaw Girl's High School

★ Secondary Board High School

★ Ajay Binay Institute of Technology

★ Christ College

★ Stewart Science College

★ Kendriya Vidyalaya, Charbatia

★ Dhaneswar Rath Institute Of Engineering and Management Studies

★ Jagannath Institute of Engineering and Technology

★ Choudwar college

★ Shailabala Women's College

★ Jai krishna Mission Higher secondary school

★ Peary Mohan Academy High School

★ Christ Collegiate School

★ Buckley Girls' High School

★ Radha Nath Rarha Teachers Training Institute

★ Bhubanananda Engineering School

★ Jayanti Bidyapitha,NagasPur,Nischintakoili

External links

★ Official website

★ Central Rice Research Institute

References

1. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Cuttack
2.