Know your state Puducherry GK Notes – Culture, Geography, Govt. policies, History, Economy

Presently we are up with another union territory of India i.e. Puducherry. In this blog, we will study about culture, geography, politics, history and economy of Puducherry.

Which union territory nicknamed as the Paris of South? Where is the third-largest Gandhi’s statue situated? Which union territory of India has its own Independence Day?

Let’s go on a quick and deep tour about Puducherry.

Puducherry is one of the seven union territories that is situated on the south-east coast of India. Puducherry offers a glimpse of France in India and also famously known as the Paris of South or France of India.

Before diving deep into the state, let’s have a look at the UT Symbols of Puducherry:

Let’s talk about the culture of Puducherry.

CULTURE Puducherry GK Notes:

Puducherry still has a major influence of French flavour in it along with Tamil. The presence of two dominant influences has made the Pondicherry culture complex but meanwhile very vibrant.

• Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam synchronised in Pondicherry.
• Velankanni and Nagore are the two famous places of pilgrimage for Christians and Muslims respectively near Karaikal.
• Most of the people of the state use Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam languages. French and English are also used.
• The dress of Puducherry is very much similar to Tamil Nadu dress.
• Women in Puducherry wear saris with a blouse and long skirt. The traditional attire for men in Puducherry is dhoti and kurta/shirt.
• Some of the favourite cooked food items are Coconut Curry, Tandoori Potato, Soya Dosa, Podanlangkai, Assad, Curried Vegetables, Stuffed Cabbage, and Italian Baked Bean.
• Most famous Festivals are Pongal Festival, Masi Magam Festival, Tamil New Year, Chitrai Kalai Vizha, Villianur Temple Car Festival, Veerampattinam Car Festival, Bastille Day, Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo, Fete De Puducherry, French Food Festival, and Vinayaka Chathurthi.
• The music and dance forms of Puducherry are immensely influenced by the rich heritage of the Tamil tradition.
• The typical Khadi textile and a host of other fabrics like twill, satin, corduroy, chambray, poplin, oxford, and cambric are all a hallmark of the Puducherry textile.

Let’s study about the geographical features of Puducherry.

GEOGRAPHY Puducherry GK Notes:

The Union Territory of Puducherry consists of four small unconnected districts namely Puducherry (Tamil Nadu), Karaikkal (Tamil Nadu), Mahe (Kerala), Yanam (Andhra Pradesh).

Total Area: 483 km²

Total Population: 1,244,464

Latitudinal extension: 11.9416° N

Longitudinal extension: 79.8083° E

• The Union Territory of Puducherry lies in the southern part of the Indian Peninsula.

• Puducherry and Karaikal have the largest areas and population and are both enclaves of Tamil Nadu. Yanam and Mahe are enclaves of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala respectively.
• All four regions of Puducherry are located in the coastal region.
• Five rivers in Puducherry district, seven in Karaikal district, two in Mahe district and one in Yanam district drain into the sea, but none originates within this union territory.
• Main soil types available in union territory are red ferrallitic, black clay, and coastal alluvial.
• The climate of the union territory is usually sunny and moderate. Due to its geography which touches the shore of the sea, Puducherry entertains with breezy soothing weather.
• The Forest Cover in Puducherry is 52.41 sq. km which is 10.70 % of Puducherry’s geographical area.

Now let’s discuss the political aspects of the union territory.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Puducherry GK Notes:

Puducherry is a Union Territory of India, not a state implies governance and administration directly by federal authority.

• Although, Puducherry is one of the three union territories in India, the other two namely National Capital Territory of Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir which is entitled by a special constitutional amendment to have an elected legislative assembly and a cabinet of ministers so that imparting partial statehood.
• The Centre is represented by the Lieutenant Governor, who resides at the Raj Nivas.
• The central government is directly involved in the territory’s financial welfare unlike states, which have the central permit that they administer.
• The Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Puducherry was appointed by the President of India and sworn in by the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.

Representation of Puducherry in Parliament:

• Lok Sabha: 1
• Rajya Sabha: 1
• Present lieutenant Governor of Puducherry: Dr. Kiran Bedi
• Present Chief Minister of Puducherry: Velu Narayanasamy

Let’s now look over the historical aspects of Puducherry.

HISTORY Puducherry GK Notes:

Puducherry on the southeast coast of India does not have a recorded history from bygone era. The history associated with Puducherry dates back to the second century. 

• Puducherry has recorded history only after the arrival of the colonial powers such as the Dutch, Portuguese, English and the French. Nearby places such as Arikanmedu, Kakayanthoppe, Villianur, and Bahur, which were controlled by the French East India Company over a period of term and became the Union Territory of Puducherry after Independence.
• The Pallava dynasty of the fourth century ruled Puducherry for some time.
• After Pallavas, Chola, Pandya and many other southern dynasties like Vijayanagar, Madurai Sultanate controlled this region.
• In 1674, French Governor Francois Marin converted this small village into a large port.
• There were many fights occurred between the French and the British.
• Puducherry was always ruled by the French for about 138 years.
• When French India terminated to exist, Puducherry was assimilated into the Union Territory of India on 1^st November 1954.

Now let’s talk about the economic aspects of Puducherry.

ECONOMY Puducherry GK Notes:

Pondicherry economy is greatly established on engineering, food processing, chemicals, metals, tourism, textiles, and information technology. Agriculture is the backbone of Pondicherry’s economy. Almost half of the population in Pondicherry is dependent on agriculture for livelihood.

Education Puducherry GK Notes:

In Puducherry, the education system is progressing towards development with a constant focus on making education available to all. The literacy rate of Puducherry was calculated 85.85% during Census 2011. Out of this, the male literacy rate is 91.26%. The female literacy rate is 80.67%. The education system of this state is transforming and progressing yearly.

Sports Puducherry GK Notes:

Sports in Puducherry include both indoor games and outdoor games which include Cricket, Football, Hockey, Tennis, Badminton, Snooker, Chess, Swimming, Boxing, Taekwondo, Boating and many other well-known sports.

Here are some interesting facts about Puducherry:

• Pondicherry has the Third Largest Gandhi Statue in the World.
• Pondicherry Is the Only Place to Scuba Dive on India’s East Coast.
• On August 15, India celebrates its independence. Pondicherry has its Own Independence Day on August 16.
• Hollywood Director M. Night Shyamalan was born in Pondicherry. He’s made films like The Sixth Sense (1999), Signs (2002), The Village (2004), and many more.
•  Pi is from Pondicherry from the Novel, Life of Pi.
• Pondicherry has some of the Lowest Alcohol Taxes in India.

Therefore, this was all the chief necessitate information about Puducherry that will helps in your preparation for competitive exams like SSC CGL, CDS, Civil Services and NDA etc.

Click here to read interesting facts and important information about the state of Andra Pradesh.

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