HAILAKANDI DISTRICT

Hailakandi district is one of the 27 districts of Assam situated in the southernmost corner of the state. It was constituted as a civil subdivision on 1 June 1869. Subsequently, it was upgraded to district in 1989. The headquarter town is Hailakandi itself. The district Headquarter is 350 KM away from the state capital Guwahati. The district is bounded by River Barak & Cachar district in the North & East respectively, Mizoram State in the South & East and Karimganj district in the west. The inter-state border with Mizoram is stretched over 76 km in the south east. Hailakandi has 2 towns : Hailakandi & Lala.

Declared as the 24th district of Assam in 1989 by a Government of Assam Notification No. AAA.98/89/Pt/I dt. 29/09/1989, Hailakandi is one of the fastest forward marching districts in the Barak Valley Region of Assam. Several myths are associated with the name 'Hailakandi'. In Barak Valley dyke is constructed for protection of people and land from flood. This dyke is colloquially pronounced as 'Ail' or 'Hail'. In the Bodokachari language 'Kandi' means temporary paddy land and this is how the district came to be known as 'Hailkandi' and then as 'Hailakandi'. According to some historians the district got its name from the 'Kuki' word ‘Halam’ means a small state and the word ‘Kundia’ meaning a plot of land for temporary ploughing. Another myth associated with the name of the district is Sali Paddy is grown abundantly as a staple food crop and from 'Sailkandi' the district came to be known as Hailakandi.

Nestled in the heart of Barak Valley, geographically Hailakandi occupies an important position. Located in plain and an apparently mountainous region, the district bears a cultural link-up with South East Asia on one hand and mainland India on the other. The topographical feature of the district is one that is diversified by plains and hills, bearing a link with the rest of the state through North Cachar Hills. Total geographical area of the district is 1327 Sq. KM. of which 10.53 Sq. KM falls in urban areas and 1316.47 Sq. KM in villages.

The district receives heavy rainfall with high humidity in summer. The average rainfall is 2873 mm and humidity is 85 per cent. In winter climate is cold and dry. There is piercing cold in December and January. Maximum Temperature ranges from 30-34 Degree Celsius and Minimum Temperature is 6-12 Degree Celsius.

Attractions

Steeped in scenic splendour of nature in the midst of vast expanse of cropland and meandering river, Hailakandi is a treasure trove of cultural and religious tourism. Places which can rightfully claim a place in tourism map of Assam are Siddyashar Bari Sibmandir at Badarpur Ghat and Pach Pirr Mukam in South Hailakandi. Siddyashar Bari Sibmandir, which is a very popular tourist destination in the region. This temple is located in the Badarpur Ghat region, and Pach Pirr Mukan is another very important destination.

Economy

In the organized sector, tea is the main industry of the district. It has 17 Tea estates with 55.70 square kilometres under tea plantation employing more than 1,30,642 persons as per 1991 census. Production of tea was 87.62 tonnes. The Hindustan paper mill Panchgram comes to the second place where large number of people get employment opportunities in the district. The pre dominant income generating activity for the district is through agricultural sector and its allied enterprises.Peoples are very much kind herted

Education

1. Srikishana Sarda College : Srikishan Sarda College was established in 1950 with eminent educationalist Late Sisir Kar Shastri as the founder Principal. The College land was donated by educationalist late Pratap Ch. Nath. Late Shrichand Sarda donated the 1st building of the College. The College was affiliated to Gauhati University in 1956. Since 1994,it is affiliated to Assam University. There are about 1300 students studying in Arts and Science stream. It has a strength of 55 Lecturers and 24 non teaching staffs. The Subjects taught here are English, Bengali, Manipuri, Sanskrit, Persian, Economics, Political Science, Philosophy, History, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology & Statistics. The College is imparting education up to Degree Honors level in all subjects except Manipuri and Chemistry.

2. Abdul Latif Choudhury College : (Algapur) was established in 1996 and is affiliated to Assam University .The College's infrastructure & facilities are laudable. It has four floors and all of them are well equipped and maintained. It is located 8KM away from the main town Hailakandi. The College has two streams Arts and commerce. Since 1996, there are about 1500 students studying in Arts and Commerce stream. Staff strength comprises 35 Experienced Lecturers and 14 non-teaching staffs. The Subjects taught here are English, Bengali, Manipuri, Sanskrit, Persian, Economics, Political Science, Philosophy, History, Mathematics, Financial Accounting, Business Organization and Management, Computer Applications, Office Management, Business Law, Cost Accounting, Audit, Operations Research and Statistics. The College is imparting education up to Degree Honors level in all subjects except Commerce stream.

3. Sashi Bushan Institute of Open Learning College : This College started few years ago, is now functioning in the Community Hall, constructed by DRDA. This Building/Hall was established from the EAS Fund of 98-99 with an amount of Rs. 7.50 lakhs. It is situated at Lakhirbond, Hailakandi Badarpur PWD Road. It was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam on 15 December 1998. Besides the construction of building of the College, the DRDA has also constructed the bounding walls of the College with an amount of Rs. 6.00 lakhs from EAS fund.

4. Sanskrit College : The building of Sanskrit College was constructed by DRDA from United Fund 1996-97 for an amount Rs.5.02 lakhs. At present nearly two hundred and above student are being benefited by this college.

5. ETC, Hailakandi(Boalipar) : Extension Training Centre, Hailakandi was constructed in the year 1998. There are (four) ETCs in the state of Assam. The ETC, Hailakandi covers the whole of Barak Valley & Hills districts. To arm up the rural youth both with the modern technique method, culture, veterinary, fishery, small scale Industries and other subjects with the hope of providing self employment in the rural areas with the help of D.R.D.A and other Govt. sectors are its main objects. So far 1391 unemployed youth were imparted training on Agro based sectors for self employment. Apart from this computer operation training is available in ETC.

6. Govt. V. M. H.S. School : The School was first established after the name of Queen Victoria as Victoria Memorial Middle English School in 1903 to spread education in this locality. The foundation stone was laid down by Her Majesty the Queen Victoria of England. The School was upgraded to High School stage in 1913 with Babu Raj Kumar Sen as the first Head Master. The School was undertaken by Govt.Presently, roll strength of the School is > 1000 and the admission is strictly on merit basis. The teaching in H.S. section is imparted both in English and Bengali medium. The School has a dedicated team of teaching and non teaching staff. The School has a glorious history of remarkable results and a large number of students are currently serving in high posts in different fields in India and abroad.

7. Hailakandi Govt.Public High School


Banks

1) State Bank Of India (SBI), SARDAR BALLABH BHAI PATEL ROAD
2) Union Bank Of India (UBI), N S RD, Phone: 03844 - 222982
3) United Bank Of India (UBI), SBIBBARI ROAD, Phone : 03844-222290