Dombivli
Dombivli
Dombivli | |
|---|---|
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| Population (2001) | |
• Total | 1,193,000 |
Dombivli or Dombivali (Marathi: डोंबिवली) is a part of the city of Kalyan-Dombivli in India which has a population of about 1,193,000 (2001 census, provisional results). It is the first fully literate town in Maharashtra and the second in India. Dombivli is a middle class town with a majority population of Hindus. It is located about fifty kilometers from Mumbai. The name "Dombivli" is believed to have come from a tribal group who lived nearby, named the "dombas".
History
Dombivli came into being as the Gajabandhan Village, and the "Old Dombivli" or "Zuni Dombivli", which forms the West flank, is embraced by the river Ulhas (popularly known as "Khaadi"). "Agris" are the natives or aborigines of Zuni Dombivli who do farming near the khaadi. Lately the khaadi has become a very popular attraction and a hang-out place in the evening from where you can see a very beautiful sunset. Almost the entire Dombivli(West)performs the popular "Ganesh Visarjan", the immersion of Ganesha Idol in the khadi during the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival. The khadi can also be approached by another road through a sand extraction area called "Reti Bunder".The East flank has been developed under the jurisdiction of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).
Dombivli comprises a cosmopolitan population with Maharashtrians in majority,beisdes, Jains, Gujarathis, Kannadigas, Tamilians, Malayalees and Punjabis, with a marginal population of Khojas (The Aga-Khan sect). Although the town may have existed for six to seven centuries, little is known of its history, apart from a huge open space which the Archaeological Survey of India declared was once a pond used by the Peshwas. Some land adjacent to it happened to be a horse grazing and training site. A huge rock was unearthed by the Archaeological Department with the encryptions marking the evidence of the same. For more details: http://www.dombivlikar.com/dombrief.htm
Dombivli's citizens believe their city has developed a nuanced culture of its own. The city, it is said in jest, has its own ecosystem right down to viruses and fevers found only there. 'Dombivli Fever' has its origins in this place.
Dombivli comprises mainly middle class people. Some of their issues are discussed in director Nishikant Kamat's acclaimed Marathi commercial film 'Dombivli Fast' released in early 2006.
The unique culture of Dombivli is reflected in the 'Navavarsha Swagat Yatra' that started in the town in late 1990s. The Yatra is organised on the first day of Hindu New Year. In it all the groups, societies, clubs, companies from & near Dombivli take part with their own 'Chitrarathas' to welcome the new year. Ganesh Mandir Samsthan, Dombivli took the initiative in the organisation of first Yatra & today also it is the main organising body. Many cities in Maharashtra followed Dombivli from next year, organising their Yatras. This Yatra is pride of Dombivli, the cultural vice-capital of Maharashtra. It reflects the unity among Dombivlikars as Yatra does not confide itself with only Hindus or to some political party.
Economy
Today, Dombivli is well known for rapid industrial growth with major dyes, paints, chemical, and heavy metal factories based in the industrial part of the town. Some of the well known ones are Gharda Chemicals, Vicco Labs, Lloyd Steel, and Deepak Fertilizers. The 1980s saw Dombivli growing into a crowded and saturated city due to industrial development under the plan. Dombivli's approachability by road and rail, and its potential in land and manpower increased tremendously. The industries have been developed in two phases so far, and new plans have been proposed.
The town has three railway stations under its jurisdiction: Dombivli Railway Station, Thakurli Railway Station, and the Kopar Bridge Railway Station. Dombivli is served by all local trains terminating at stations beyond Thane, and it is a stop for all major fast local trains.
Dombivli also has the honour of becoming the first fully literate city in Maharashtra and the second in India (a town in Kerala is first). Over a hundred schools offer primary and secondary education, and over a dozen are affiliated with the University of Mumbai. A couple of colleges also offer technical education and are affiliated with the Board of Technical Examination, Mumbai.
The city has produced fine literature, classical music, plays, poetry, and actors.
Demographics
Dombivli is home to eight colleges and a student population of 20,000. It boasts many high merit rank holders every year in the Secondary School Certificate and Higher Secondary (School) Certificate exams. There are many students who have made it to the top technological institutes like the IITs & top business schools such as IIMs, XLRI, S.P.Jain, Jamnalal Bajaj, etc. There are temples for all faiths, Jamatkhana for the Khoja Muslims, and also a few churches.
Most of the couples in Dombivli are professionals with a more "modern" lifestyle, often reflected in their one-child families and penchant for consumer goods. Consumerism is at its peak here and hence, these families are often referred to as DISCOs (Double Income Single Child Only). About 67-68% of families in the city are classified as DISCOs.
The city's healthcare is some of the best in India. The town boasts about 1500 doctors for the population of 1,500,000, so the ratio of doctors per 1000 is comparable to any developed Western country.
Government
In 1984(?), Dombivli Municipal Council was merged that of neighboring Kalyan to form a new governing body, the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation.
Hospitals
AIMS Asian Institute of Medical Sciences [1]
It's a super specialty hospital with 100 beds along with a nursing and paramedical college, started by group of medical entrepreneurs, is located at Milap Nagar, MIDC.
"Srinivas Hospital" Dombivli(E).
Uma Shankar Nursing Home
This is a maternity hospital with 10 beds, started by Dr. V.S.Dhondye, is located at Shastrinagar, Old Dombivli Rd, Dombivli (West).
Hardikar Hospital
This is a 5 bed hospital serving the city since 1991. The hospital also caters to the lower income patients from rural areas near by Dombivli at affordable rates. The hospital is located in Gandhi Nagar on East side of city.