Banka, Bihar

This article is about the municipality in India. For its namesake district, see Banka district.

Banka
city
Banka Location in Bihar, India
Coordinates:
Country	India
State	Bihar
Division	Bhagalpur
District	Banka
Elevation	79 m (259 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	1,608,773
Languages
• Official	Maithili, Hindi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	813102
Telephone code	91 6424
Vehicle registration	BR-51
Sex ratio	908 ♂/♀
Literacy	43.4 per cent%
Website	www.banka.bih.nic.in

Banka is a city and a municipality in Banka district in the state of Bihar, India. The Hindi meaning of Banka is "brave". Banka is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar in India. The district, part of Bhagalpur Division, has its headquarters at Banka town. The district occupies an area of 3018 km² and has a population of 1,608,773 (as of 2001). Hindus 1,409,352, Muslims 190,051 (11.81%).

Geography

Banka (बांका) is one of the thirty-eight districts of Bihar in India. The district, part of Bhagalpur Division, has its headquarters at Banka town. Banka is located at . It has an average elevation of 79 metres (259 feet).

Karharia Mohalla is one of the most famous areas of Banka district for the famous Karharia Durga Mandir. Aliganj, guria, Babutola, Nayatola, Karharia, Vijaynagar, Jagatpur are among the most popular colonies in this town. Kajhiya & Narayanpur is also famous village in this District. Baba Bhaiharan Nath Mandir is most ancient and popular temple in this district. The water of Tara Mandir is very cool and so pure with sweet taste. There are colleges named P.B.S. College, Mahila College and most famous high school named RMK Inter High School (named after Rani Mahkam Kumari) and S.S. Girls High School in this town. This town is situated between two rivers, Chandan and Orhani. The town acts as the border of Bihar and Jharkhand state. The famous Shravani Mela route passes from this district. This route goes to Babadham. It is located in south-eastern Bihar, four miles from Jasidih railway station on the main line of the Eastern Railway from Howrah to Delhi. There is a small railway branch line from Jasidih to Babadham. The railway station at Babadham is called Baidyanath Dham. There are direct train link up to Banka from State capital(Patna).

HQ :- Banka

Area :- 3,019 km².

Population :- Total 12,92,504 Rural 12,47,869 Urban

Sub Divisions :- Banka

Blocks :- Banka, Rajoun, Amarpur, Dhoraiya, Katoria, Bounsi, Shambhuganj, Barahat, Belhar, Chandan, Phulidumar, Kakwara

Agriculture :- Paddy, Wheat, Maize, Lentil.

Industry :- China clay

Rivers :- Chandan, Oodhni, Jamua

Babadham stands near the G.T. Road connecting Calcutta (Kolkata) with Delhi. From the G.T. Road, you can take a turn to the state road at Bagodar or at Dumri. Devotees coming down from Kolkata or other parts of West Bengal can take the route via Jamtara. In the north-east Dumka, Rajmahal and Banka; in the north-west Munger; in the west Hazaribag and in the south Giridih district border the region.

The nearby airports are in - Ranchi, Gaya, Patna and Kolkata. The nearest railway station is in Banka itself. Approximate journey time is 1.5 hrs from Bhagalpur or from Jasidih or Deoghar (Babadham) by bus (Bijay bharat bas service). The main market of Banka is near to Khadi Bhandar. There is a medical store in front of Khadi Bhandar "Priyanka Medical Hall". There is also a well-developed colony "Anand Colony" near Khadi Bhandar. This area is the most developed area in Banka. This is the centre of Banka.

Tourism:- There are many tourist places in Banka District. One of the religious tourist place in Banka is Baba Jyeshthgour Nath Temple (Jethour Nath). This is a Bhagwan Shiv temple. According to Indian Mythology, Jyeshthgour Nath is the oldest Jyotirling in India. River Chandan flows touching the Temple's feet. Hills are like Lord Shiva's head (Jata). In the Hills a Temple of Maa Kaali Named Dakshineshwar Kaali is situated about 250 metres distance and on the height of 200 metres from Lord Shiva's temple. Mandar hill is also a very famous tourist place in Banka district. According to Indian mythology mandar hill is considered from the period of mahabhartha.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Banka had a population of 35,416. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Banka has an average literacy rate of 55%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with 61% of the males and 39% of females literate. 16% of the population is under 6 years of age. A famous Durga temple is in Karhariya, north part of Banka and Baba Bhaiharan Nath Mandir is most ancient and popular temple in this district. There is a historical mountain named "Mandaar". This mountain was used as a mathani at the time of Samudra-Manthan. In the centre of this town there are two high schools: One for boys named R. M. K. High School and second is Girls High School. There are a district court and registry court in the heart of the town. Kakwara is the famous village in Banka. Banka is a district full of greenery and forests. Katoriya, Suiya and chandan blocks are mostly covered by forests. Besides, district is known for its rich tribal culture. Banka is also famous for its handicrafts and hand looms. Home made Khadi and silk are also popular in the whole country. Bhitia (the village full of forest) is only 20 km from the district headquarters.

There is a mountain which is made of single piece stone height about 500 meters known as Mandar Parbat. At the top two temples are made one is Narshimha (one of the incarnation of god Vishnu ) Temple and other is Digamber Jain Tirthanakar'. There is a famous old Nationalistic university established by then freedom fighters to impart pure Indian Education in Indian style in tune with Gujrat Vidyapith, Kashi Vidyapith, Bihar Vidyapith, cofounded by late Shri Harivallav Narayan Singh a famous social reformer, a freedom fighter and a land lord of village Azadnagar, Sabalpur vide a registered settlement deed no. 2002/1945. Social worker Sri Ramani Mohan Singh of Narayanpur and Sri Anand Shankar Madhvan played significant role in the establishment of 'Mandar Vidyapith' . The first president of the Indian Republic Desratna Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the founder President and "Bihar Bibhuti" late Dr. Anugraha Narayan Singh was the first working President of the reputed Mandar Vidyapith . A Gandhian, south Indian, Hindi lover literature Anand Shankar Madhavan was the first Acharya and Kulpati(Chancellor) of the Mandar Vidyapith. Govind Prasad Jha, Krishna Kinkar Singh, Tribhuvan Prasad Singh, Shyamakant Jha etc. were the key persons behind the development of Mandar Vidyapith . Post Independence, the gandhian dream of Hindi University could not work out so ultimately in 1993 an English Medium School "Adwaita Mission" was started by one of Madhvan's Anandmargi disciple Mr Aditya and is being run inside the campus of old Mandar Vidyapeeth. People behind the Adwaita Mission established Adwait Mission Institute of Technology (AMIT), an ITI, a B.Ed College and a sprawling educational complex and a Rural University at Shivdham in 2013.

Political heritage

Banka is the land of great iiievolutionary Satish Prasad jha. He was one of the seven martyrs who hoisted Tiranga on Secretariate building of Patna on 11 August 1942. Veteran reformer and freedom fighter Sri Ramni Mohan Singh from Narayanpur was the founder president of Banka Congress committee. To protest the prevalent custom of non-education to female, Ramni Mohan Singh offered his first child Smt. Bindhyavasini Devi, MA Hindi (Shantiniketan) into social service and she was elected MLA from Banka(1957–1967). Banka has been politically most attractive destination for veteran socialists. This constituency was the laboratory of socialism. Madhulimaye represented the constituency two times. George Fernandis and Rajnarayan were also contested the parliamentary election from this constituency. On the other side there were number of veteran leaders in Congress party. Smt Vindhyavasini Devi, MLA ( 1957–1967), Ex chief minister of Bihar Chandrashekhar Singh, Ex Rajyasabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Singh, ex-MP Manorama Singh, Ex MLA Jai Prakash Mishra etc. created a new heights as far as the district congress is concerned. Late Shri Digvijay Singh (14 November 1955 – 24 June 2010) was an Indian politician from the state of Bihar and was an Independent Member of the Parliament of India representing Banka in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament. He died on 24 June 2010 in London after suffering a Brain Hemorrhage. Digvijay Singh served as a Member of the Parliament of India five times – three times in the Lok Sabha (1998, 1999, 2009) and two times in the Rajya Sabha (1990, 2004). He served as Union Minister of State in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government (1999–2004) and Chandrashekhar Government (1990–1991). He was also a successful sports administrator, having served as President of the National Rifle Association of India since 1999. He was one of the three (George Fernandes, Digvijay Singh, and Nitish Kumar) founder member Samta Party, which later combined with Janta Party and Janta Dal United (JDU) was formed. Now Jai Prakash Narayan Yadv (RJD) is the member of parliament from this constituency.

After independence, Banka is the center point of veteran politicians. Veteran freedom fighter Sri Kirti Narayan Singh of Narayanpur village was he first congress president of BhagalPur District Congress.Sri Navpatrika Prasad Singh, again from Narayanpur was the next District congress president. Veteran freedom fighter Sri Ramani Prasad Singh of Narayanpur was the founder congress president of Banka at that point of time. Smt. Bindhyavasini Devi, MA (Hindi) from Shantiniketan and daughter of then Banka Congress President was the first female MLA from Banka from 1957 to 1967. After this, many veterans tried and represented this constituency in parliament. This constituency was the laboratory of socialism. Sri Madhu Limaye represented the constituency two times. Mr George Fernandes and Sri Raj Narayan were also contesting the parliamentary election from this constituency. Mahendra Gopa is a freedom-fighter of Rampur village near Bharko.

Demography

The district has a total population of 150,113 of which 145,560 are rural and 4,553 are urban. Population Total 12,92,504 Rural 12,47,869 Urban 44,635 SC Population Total 1,50,113 Rural 1,45,560 Urban 4,553 ST Population Total 63,457 Rural 63,392 Urban 65 Sub Divisions Banka.

Administration

Subdivisions

• Banka

Blocks

• Amarpur
• Banka
• Barahat
• Baunsi
• Belhar
• Chandan
• Dhoraiya
• Katoria
• Phulidumar
• Rajoun
• Shambhuganj

Out of 11 blocks, 9 are Naxal-affected.

Villages

• Amarpur
• Ashota
• Balarpur
• Bangama
• Barahat
• Barouni
• Bathaniya
• Bausi
• Belhar
• Bhatkundi
• Bindi
• Bishari
• Bishnupur
• Chandadih
• Chandan
• Chilkaur
• Damodar Pur
• Dhoraiya
• Dubouni
• Dubridih
• Ganeshagora
• Gaurai-Chandela
• Gurudwar
• Hathia-Darha
• Jamua
• Jhirwa
• Kaithatikar
• Kakwara
• Kathoun
• Katoria
• Khesar
• Lakhpura
• Loudhia
• Majlishpurand
• Manjhiya
• Manjhouni
• Mohanpur
• Nima
• Pakaria
• Pararia
• Parghari
• Pathalkudia
• Pipra
• Radhanagar
• Rajoun
• Rajpur
• Rata
• Ratanpur
• Sabalpur
• Saijpur
• Samukhia More
• Saruka
• Satpur Kadrachak
• Saharna
• Shambhuganj
• Surihari
• Uhramdiha
• Uprama
• Bhitia
• Gora
• Inaravaran
• Keriya

are the famous villages of Banka district.

Economy

Banka has been ranked 3rd least developed district in India after Kalahandi and Raygadha (Orissa). The main reason of Banka being declared a backward district could be less urban population. Banka, as a whole, is an agrarian economy. Banka is considered the rice bowl of Bihar. Banka has a very advanced system of agro product marketing which is very complex yet very simple. The district has three-four major Rice Production and transaction center. The most famous are Vijayhat (successfully in existence for last forty years) and Rajoun. Apart from these two, there are Punsia, Katiya, etc. which is small in size (in volume). Most advanced is Vijayhat, which in the last 40 years of its existence has devised very strong form of functioning. it has many rice mills (small ones) producing high-quality USNA (Parmal) rice very popular among locals. The biggest buyers are from Bhagalpur, Kolkata, Purnia, Kanpur, Delhi, Dumka etc. Rajoun has emerged as very good competitor though all the local hat function with business ethics.

Apart from rice, Amarpur belt is famous for sugar cane and Gud mill. They produce world-class gud rich in iron and minerals. The main problem the district lacks economically nonetheless is a lack of branding. All of them can be world-class and have their own brandname e.g. Vijayhat rice, Amarpur gud like Mawana sugar or Dhampur sugar, which are location-based names. But there is lack of awareness in the local business community, and business owners don't fully realize the payoff and are happy doing business in crude form. This is the reason that despite the very large volume from Banka, profits remain small.

Timber industry

Once very dynamic and vibrant industry were totally out of business during RJD regime. again gain momentum in recent years. There are not many saw Mill left and potential are abundant. But due to govt policy, its very difficult to flourish. Source of raw material is also a problem. Very much dependent on local source. Lack of awareness about foreign and cheap source like Malaysia and New Zealand.

Modern industry

Courtesy to late Digvijay singh, Banka has started to figure out as a potential destination for large investment on the national map. A thermal power project promoted by Abhijit Industries, Kolkata, is coming up in Bounsi, Banka. Other Sugarcane related industry is coming up in Amarpur.

Green Energy Solutions, Bangalore is another Renewable Energy company co-founded and promoted by the son-of-soil engineer and village admirer/inventor from Narayanpur, Barahat. Through a unique patented technology of Rural Portable Generators, all 6.5 lac Indian villages are planned to be electrified immediately by using available bullocks or other drought animals as source of power generation. It is believed that the rural electricity problem will be solved and self-reliance is in sight. A generator production plant is being set up near Barahat.

The young Turks of Banka district, highly educated, dreamers and full of energy, want to do something for their land of birth. During an interview Mr. Singh (from Gurudwar, Banka) who is pass out of prestigious and one of the top MBA school in India, having knowledge of the industry, is planning to set up unconventional source-based power plants in his native village Gurudwar, Vijayhat. He has plans for modernizing his family business and is confident of a turnover of 100 crore by 2014-15. It is his idea of reform to provide the maximum amount of employment opportunities, and education, health and basic amenities to the villages. Akshay is another, from Bounsi, who wants to establish a food processing industry. He feels that if managed properly, the local agrarian products can turn Banka into a land of opportunities.

There are other dreamers like him in this area that want to improve the economic distress in this district in India.

Location advantage

Banka is strategically located very near to the source of Raw material for heavy industries. Its proximity to Jharkhand (bordering Deoghar, Dumka, Godda) and seasonal or non-perennial river like Chandan makes it a very strong contender for coal based Power Plant investment and other heavy Industry.

A railway line connecting existing Bhagalpur–Bounsi line to Rampurhat, which is well connected to Howrah, is coming up which will be a boon for investment due to proximity to port and reach to domestic market and a line connecting Sultanganj to Jasidih through Banka is also being developed.

Tourism industry

Gradually turning into a religious tourism hotspot for Hindu/Jain. Old Mandar Parvat (also known as Mandarachar Parvat in Puraan) is very mystic and has many places to visit. A Jain temple at the summit in close proximity to a Vishnu temple is a sign of religious tolerance. An initiative of celebrating Mandar Mahotsav was taken by Govt. of India (inaugurated by Late Digvijay Singh and closing ceremony attended by the Former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhavat) but could not be continued later. Though every year in January Bounsi Mela is organised, which depicts the vibrant village life of Mandar region. A Rath Yatra procession of Lord Madhusudan is taken out every year the same day Puri Rath Yatra procession is taken out. Fourteenth-century great saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu started this Rath yatra during his visit to this holy land of Mandar. Baba Bhaiharan Nath Mandir is most ancient and popular temple in this district.

Agriculture

Paddy, Wheat, Maize, Lentil, Damodar Pur, Darpa, Amarpur is the densely populated block of Banka district. There are numbers of Khandsari mills here in Amarpur. It is one of the important trade centere of Banka district. Belhar (srinagar)

External links

• BankaNow - News Online
• History of Banka
• Banka News
• Banka Information Portal