- For the village with the same name, see Ranni village
| Ranni | |
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| Country |  India |
| State | Kerala |
| District(s) | Pathanamthitta |
| Parliamentary constituency | Pathanamthitta |
| Population • Density |
207,782 (2001[update]) • 207 /km2 (536 /sq mi) |
| Sex ratio | 47:50 ♂/♀ |
| Literacy | 95% |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
1,004 km2 (388 sq mi) • 331 m (1,086 ft) |
| Website | www.citinewsranni.com |
| Coordinates | 9°22′0″N 76°46′0″E / 9.366667°N 76.766667°E |
Ranni (Malayalam:റാന്നി, Hindi:रान्नी) , sometimes spelled Ranny, is one of the 5 Taluks in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerela[1], in India. According to the Census of India 2001, the population was 207,782[2]. The taluk headquarters is a small township on both sides of the Pamba River. Ranni is also one of the largest taluks in Kerala.[3] A renowned Hindu temple of Sabarimala is in this taluk, situated approximately 66 kilometres from the main township, Ittiappara. Ranni is known for its natural beauty, forest, hills, river and good climate.[4][5]
Contents |
Etymology
Ranni is derived from similar word in malayalam which means "Queen" or "Rani". Ranni is known as the "The Queen of Eastern Hills".
History
The history of Ranni can be traced 5000 years back to the early settlement activity of Adi Dravidans around Sabarimala and Nilackal. The temple at Sabarimala is thought to be the oldest existing temple in India, suggesting to be around 4000 years old.[6] A church at Nilackal is believed to be one of the seven churches founded by St. Thomas in AD 54.[7]
In the 18th century, Knanaya Christians migrated to Ranni and later established the church, St. Thomas Church of Ranni. Large number of Mar Thomites also migrated from surrounding areas. In the early 19th century, Dr. Claudius Buchanan visited Ranni and was presented an old hand written Syriac Bible, from Ranni St. Thomas church.[8]
Ranni was a part of Central Travancore region before the unification. Till the formation of Pathanamthitta district in 1982, Ranni was a part of Kollam district.[9]
Geography
Ranni is located at 9°23′N 76°49′E / 9.38°N 76.81°E. It has an average elevation of 131 m (433 ft) above sea level.[10] The location and elevation is measured around the township. However, towards the east, the elevation is much higher. River Pamba flows through Ranni. The township is situated on either side of the river. According to the Census of India, Ranni has a total of 1,004.61 square kilometres (387.88 sq mi).[11] Out of the total area, 708 square kilometres (273.36 sq mi) or 70% is forest.[2] This forest cover gives Ranni its lush green and scenic beauty.
Climate
Like the rest of the state, Ranni has a wet and maritime tropical climate. The region receives most of the rain from the South-West monsoon from June to August and the North-East monsoon during October and November. Although the summer is from March to May, it receives locally developed thundershowers in May. Due to the higher elevation, the climate is cooler towards the eastern area.
Economy
Business is centered around the market in the main township, Ittiappara situated on the northern side of the river. The economy of Ranni is primarily from agriculture. Ranni is the largest rubber producing taluks in Kerala.[12] The hilly terrain, high humidity and good rain makes it suitable for rubber cultivation. Other major crops are cocoa, coconut, tapioca and pepper. NRIs are also another major source of income.
Transport
Ranni is largely dependent on private buses. Most of the long route KSRTC buses ply on the State Highway - 08. The State Highway - 08 ( Punalur-Pathanamthitta-Muvattupuzha Road ) connects the town to other major towns. There are no KSRTC bus depots in Ranni. The nearest is in Pathanamthitta.[13] Auto rickshaws are available and generally hired for short distance (1-3 Km) where bus service are non-existent or rare. Jeep is another preferred mode of transport where the terrain is hilly or rugged.
There are no train services in Ranni. A train service connecting Ranni is one of the long standing demands. Although the Union Government has cleared a proposal in 1995, the project awaits implementation.[14] Both Thiruvalla and Chengannur railway stations are near.
Trivandrum International Airport and Cochin International Airport, at Nedumbassery, Kochi are the airports conveniently used to reach here.
Demographics
As of the census of 2001, Ranni had a population of 207,782 with a density of 207 per square kilometre.The female-to-male ratio is 1063:1000 higher than the state average of 1059:1000 and significantly higher than the national average of 933:1000. There were 50,132 housing units at an average density of 5 per square kilometre. A very low housing density owes to a large reserved forest area. Ranni's litaracy rate is 95%.[2]
Although most of the residents are Malayalis there are some Tamil and Sikh settlers. Much of the Tamil polulation are temporary workers who are mainly employed in the construction sector. Ranni still has few settlements of aborigines known as 'adivasis' deep in the forest area.
Ranni's major religions are Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. Hindus (Brahmins, Nairs, Ezhavas, Viswakarma, & other SC-ST), Muslims and Christians (Roman Catholics, Knanaya, Malankara Catholic, St. Thomas Evangelical Church, Orthodox, Jacobite, Marthoma, Brethren and other Pentecostals) live in peace here. This is one of the few places where no communal riots happened even when there were a lot of issues all over India.
Civic administration
Ranni taluk is a part of Pathanamthitta district administration. The taluk headquarters is on the southern side of the river, known as Perumbuzha. Ranni taluk is divided into 11 villages.[15] Villages are the smallest subdivision. The following are the list of villages:
Education
Primary, middle and secondary schools are run in all the villages of Ranni taluk. However there are only 7 senior secondary schools covering 6 out of the 11 villages. This is primarily due to the reason that till 1997-98, these were offered as pre-degree courses in colleges.[16] As of 2001, there are 138 primary, 59 middle and 35 secondary schools.[2]
There are two colleges in Ranni taluk. St. Thomas college, affiliated to the M.G. University, is an arts and science college established in 1964[17]. For almost four decades this was the only college in the taluk. In 2005, Caarmel Engineering College, a self financing engineering college was established. This is situated in the Ranni-Perunad division. The Mar Thoma Teachers’ Training College Ranny is a self- financing institution affiliated to the M.G. University, and approved by NCTE
Apart from the schools and colleges, Ranni also has 3 adult literacy centers.[2] These literacy centers or Saksharatha Kendram came as a state effort to attain total literacy.[18]
Politics
Ranni assembly constituency is part of Pathanamthitta (Lok Sabha constituency).[19] The main two political parties are the Congress and the CPM or CPI. Raju Abraham is the elected representative of Ranni assembly constituency.[20] He successfully contested assembly election in 1996 and has been winning every elections since.[21]
Media
There is a local television channel, Citi TV, operational in Ranni. The channel, established in 2002 telecasts news, documentaries, albums and other programs.[22]
See also
References
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathanamthitta_district#Taluks_in_Pathanamthitta_District
- ^ a b c d e http://www.censusindia.gov.in
- ^ http://ranni.4t.com/
- ^ http://www.webindia123.com/city/kerala/pathanamthitta/places.htm?cat=Tourism-%20Places%20of%20Interest#Ranni
- ^ http://www.heritagestay.com/ranny.htm
- ^ http://www.sabarimala.org.in/
- ^ http://www.indiantemplesportal.com/kerala/st.thomas-ecumenical-church-nilackal.html
- ^ http://www.drsusanjacob.jesusanswers.com/photo2.html
- ^ http://www.pathanamthitta.nic.in/History2.htm
- ^ http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/13/Rani.html
- ^ http://www.kerala.gov.in/statistical/panchayat_statistics2001/pta_27.PDF
- ^ http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/11/stories/2007071152770500.htm
- ^ http://www.keralartc.com/html/depots.html
- ^ http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/24/stories/2009022452840300.htm
- ^ http://www.pathanamthitta.nic.in/Administration1.htm
- ^ http://www.kerala.gov.in/education/school.htm
- ^ http://rannycollegealumni.com/history.htm
- ^ http://www.kerala.gov.in/education/liter.htm
- ^ "Assembly Constituencies — Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies". Kerala. Election Commission of India. http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S11/KL_Dist_PC_AC.pdf. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
- ^ http://www.kerala.gov.in/government/mla.htm
- ^ http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/members/rajuabraham.pdf
- ^ http://www.citinewsranni.com/main/citinews.asp
External links
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