Karaikudi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Karaikkudi | |
  Karaikkudi
|
|
| State - District(s) |
Tamil Nadu - Sivaganga |
| Coordinates | |
| Area - Elevation |
- 82 m |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Population (2001) - Density |
86,422 - |
Karaikkudi is a city and a municipality in Sivaganga District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Karaikudi is the largest city in Sivaganga district, and is known as the capital of Chettinad region, which comprises Karaikudi and 74 other villages. Chettinad is the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars (Nagarathar), a prosperous banking and business community, many of whose members migrated to South and Southeast Asia, particularly Ceylon and Burma, in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The people of Karaikudi played a major role during the Indian freedom struggle. Karaikudi got its name because of the famous plant called "Karai" which is widely spread over this area.
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[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Karaikkudi had a population of 86,422. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Karaikkudi has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 74%. In Karaikkudi, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The estimated population of karaikudi urban agglomeration in 2004 is 132,294.
[edit] Geography
Karaikudi is located in Sivagangai district between Trichy - Rameswaram High road. Earlier it was a small village in Ramanathapuram District. In 1928 it was changed from Panchayat to Municipality. The city is well facilitated with Railways and Roadways since 1930. The Thennar River flows through South Karaikudi. Karaikudi's Postal pincode is 630001 and Dialing code is 91-4565.
Karaikkudi is located at [1]. It has an average elevation of 82 metres (269 feet).
[edit] Education
The educational institutons developed to its peak in 1947, by Alagappar who is the founder of today's Alagappa University. Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering and Technology (Accet), located in Karaikudi, is one of the premier educational institutions in Tamil Nadu.
Dr. Alagappa Chettiar is also responsible for establishment of Central Electro Chemical Research Institute (CECRI). It is one of a kind in whole of India.
[edit] Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering & Technology
Dr. R.M. Alagappa Chettiar a man of rare wisdom and forethought, founded Alagappa Chettiar Educational Trust with the sole aim of developing the backward area of Karaikudi into a centre for higher education and provided necessary funds for the establishment of educational institutions.
In 1952 21st July, ACCET started functioning with three faculties-Civil, Mechanical and Electrical and Electronics Engineering. The Foundation tablet for the main building of the college was laid by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India on 19th February 1953. Subsequently, in 1966, the institution was handed over to Govt. of Tamil Nadu.
In 1969 a new faculty, Electronics and Communication Engineering was started. In 1983, M.E. in Microwave and Optical Engineering In 1988, Master of Computer Application (M.C.A) were started. In 2001, B.E. Degree course in Computer Science and Engineering was also introduced.
The college has become a constituent college of Anna University from 31.12.2001. The college has been recognized as a research centre and about 25 scholars are pursuing research. PG courses in various disciplines are offered from the academic year 2002-03.
==Alagappa University Alagappa University is located on a sprawling and ideally suited expanse of about 420 acres in the business town of Karaikudi in Sivaganga District in Tamil Nadu. Karaikudi is 400 km South of Madras, in the Madras - Rameswaram line and is accessible from Tiruchirappalli and Madurai in about 2 hours by road/rail.
This seat of higher education has emerged from the galaxy of institutions initially founded by Dr.RM.AlagappaChettiar. Alagappa University was brought into existence by a special Act of the Government of Tamil Nadu in May 1985 with the objective of fostering research, development and dissemination of knowledge in various branches of learning.
Alagappa University is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India. Alagappa University, hitherto of unitary type has been converted into an affiliating type, by the Tamil Nadu Universities Act, 2002, with a view to widen the horizon of its academic activities by bringing into its jurisdiction, the Arts and Science colleges in the Districts of Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga. Further, as per this Act, the Government colleges in the above districts have become the constituent colleges of Alagappa University.
As a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), as well as the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), it has rewarding relations with other academic institutions, research laboratories and industrial establishments that promise a spectacular feature. The University’s motto is “Excellence in Action” and the University keeps before it the vision of excellence in all spheres of its action.
[edit] Central Electro Chemical Institute
Central Electrochemical Research Institute is one of the chain of forty national laboratories under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. (CSIR) New Delhi. Founded on 25th July 1948 at Karaikudi in Tamilnadu, it came into existence on the January 1953. During the last fifty years CECRI has been recognised as the premier institution for R&D in the field of Electrochemical Science and Technology not only in India but also in the South East Asia, with a total strength of over 600 personnel comprising scientists, engineers, technologists, skilled workers, administrative and other staff, with a combined laboratory space of 4,00,000 sq ft. in a campus of 300 acres. There are Four extension centers for CECRI located at Chennai, Cochin, Mandapam and Tuticorin. Major R&D programs at CECRI are in the areas of Corrosion Science and Engg., Industrial Metal Finishing, Batteries (Primary and Secondary), Electro-Metallurgy, Electropyrometallurgy, Electro chemicals (organic and inorganic), Materials Science, Electrochemical Instrumentation & Pollution Control. The programs are directed towards development of new processes of products or novel use of electrochemistry. Techniques, upgradation of the already developed technology, basic research is carried out. An excellent library, computer center, workshop, centralised characterisation and measurement laboratory lend active support.
Over the years 680 patents have been filed, 190 processes have been developed and 140 sponsored projects, 110 grant-in-aid projects have been undertaken. More than 140 processes have been released to 375 licensees for commercial exploitation. The institute staff has published more than 4000 research papers including several review articles in both national and international journals of repute, edited several books and conference proceedings and maintain intimate contacts with the academic institutions within and outside the country. Recognition of contribution made by CECRI to Indian industry has come in the form of 50 major and minor awards. Direct earnings by the way of foreign exchange savings and energy efficient electrochemical technologies including corrosion prevention amount to about Rs.500 crores.
CECRI also conducts short term refresher courses for the benefit of industry and educational institutions, brings out journals (Bulletin Of Electrochemical, corrosion update and battery news letter) and runs a B.Tech. program (Chemical and Electrochemical engineering of Madurai Kamaraj University). The institute is alive to the societal obligations and actively participates in the Rural Science Forum (VPF), Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development (STED), and Swadeshi Science Movement (SSM) and Ambedkar Nagar in collaboration with other agencies.
[edit] Temples
- The famous temple at Pillaiyarpatti is 12 km away from Karaikudi.
- The city is known for Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple, also known as Sivan Temple which was built during 1872.There is a temple here where there are 108 statues of Ganapathy.
- Sekkalai is located at north-east of Karaikudi, which was known as "Jain Kunda Puram" 50 years back.
- In North-west of Karaikudi is MutthuPattinam which is known for Muthu Mariamman Temple.
- At the Central is Kallukatti where the famous temple KOPPUDAYAMMAN is located. Car Festival during the First Tuesday of VAIGASI month is very famous. The Car Starts on Tuesday and it go to KATTAMMAN KOVIL and return back on the next day. The Car travels approximately 8 km including up and down. On VAIGASI the first Thursday, they conduct THEPPAM at Kallukkatti Oorani.
- Tamil Thai Kovil, Kamban Manimandabam, Vallal Alagappar Statue, Kavi Arasar Kannadasan Manimandabam and Statue carries honour to Karaikudi.
- Karpaka Vinayakar Temple, an ancient rock-cut cave temple in Pillayarpatti 15 km west of Karaikkudi.
[edit] Miscellaneous
Alagappa University [1] located in Karaikudi provides education facilities in wide range of subjects. It was founded by Dr.Alagappa chettiyar.
Central Electro Chemical Research Institute (CECRI) [2] is one of the chain of forty national laboratories under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. (CSIR) New Delhi. It was founded on 25th July 1948 at Karaikudi in Tamilnadu and came into existence on the January 1953.
Karaikudi is the birth place of AVM studio.
