Debagram

History

Before eighteenth century (A.D.) Debagram was surrounded by jungle. This place was inhabited by few people of Bagdi caste. In first part of eighteenth century a Brahmin family (surname- Majumder) migrated to Debagram from Uttar Pradesh. Few years later Gopal Bandopadhyay of Ichapore married a girl of Majumder family and started to live at Debagram. Gopal Bandopadhyay and his successor Janakinath Bandopadhyay were close of Nawabs of Murshidabad. So very quickly they extended their Zamindari and wealth. At the same time many other people, mainly Brahmins, from different areas came here and a prosperous village was formed. It is believed that some Brahmins studied Vedas there. Hence the village was named ‘Bedgram'. Many years later gradually this name became ‘Debagram’.

Geography

Latitude: 23°41' north, Longitude: 88°18' east

Debagram is a part of deltaic alluvial plain of west Bengal formed by river Ganga and its tributaries and distributaries. It has an average elevation of 18 meters. This flat area is characterized by some ponds and low lands. The nearest river of the village is Bhagirathi. It is about 9 km away from the village centre. Debagram is situated in the north west of Nadia District. Bethuadahari (12 km away), Plassey (12 km), Katwa (18 km) and Tehatta (24 km) is located respectively to the South, North, East and West of Debagram.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification System Debagram has a Tropical Wet and Dry or Tropical Savanna type climate. It features a long and hot Summer followed by- wet and humid Monsoon, cloudless and pleasant Autumn, mild and dry Winter, sunny and warm Spring.

Demography

Debagram had a population of 33757. There were 7817 households. Males constitute 51.48% of the total population, female constitute 48.52%. The Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes comprise about 15.83% and 0.92%, respectively, of Population. In Debagram village population of children with age 0-6 is 3837 which makes up 11.74% of total population of village. Average Sex Ratio of Debagram village is 942 which is lower than West Bengal state average of 950. Child Sex Ratio for the Debagram as per census is 946, lower than West Bengal average of 956.

Administration

As per constitution of India and Panchyati Raaj Act, Debagram village is administrated by Sarpanch (Head of Village) who is elected representative of village. Debagram runs under the administrative area of Debagram Gram Panchayat, Kaliganj Panchyat Samity and Nadia Zilla Parishad. Debagram Gram Panchayat is composed of 28 members elected from different areas of Debagram. Examples of such areas are Netajee nagar, Shaktinagar (Chattagram Colony), Babupara, Siverdalan Para, Dakshin Para, Office Bagan Para, Paschim Para, Station Para, Ghosh Para, Vivekananda Para, Roy Para, Dutta Para, Power house Para, Meer Para, Danga Para, Chatterjee Para, Katwa More, Das Para, Debagram Chourasta, Panch matha More, Jampukur etc. Current Panchayat (2013 election) has 12 members of Communist Party of India (Marxist), 8 members of All India Trinamool Congress, 7 members of Bharatiya Janata Party and 1 member of Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist).

Economy

Agriculture is the backbone of economy at Debagram. Paddy and Jute are the principal crops grown at Debagram. Some other important crops are wheat, Potato, Sugarcane, Oilseed. During last decade remarkable progress has been seen in the production of Vegetables and Fruits. Now-a-days the occupational structure is changing rapidly. Modern era has encouraged the villagers to take up new occupation. These include cottage industry, Business (both wholesale and retail), Government Services, Educational Services, Private Sector Employment etc.

Work Profile

In Debagram village out of total population, 10282 were engaged in work activities. 86.41% of workers describe their work as Main Work (Employment or Earning more than 6 Months) while 13.59% were involved in Marginal activity providing livelihood for less than 6 months. Of 10282 workers engaged in Main Work, 1252 were cultivators (owner or co-owner) while 2916 were Agricultural labourer.

Transport

Debagram is connected to the rest of the country by Debagram Railway Station and NH-34. Buses operated by SBSTC, CSTC, NBSTC and many other private buses provide reliable means of road transportation. Long distance Buses connect Debagram to main cities of west Bengal, such as- Kolkata (145 km), Siliguri (432 km), Howrah(153 km), Coochbehar(559 km), Durgapur(175 km), Malda(179 km), Digha(316 km) .The other means of road transport in the village include Rickshaws, Vans, Cycle, bikes, cars etc.

Debagram comes under Eastern Railways of Indian Railway. Several trains pass through Debagram station and provide connection with many cities including Kolkata, Kalyani (91 km), Ranaghat (66 km), Krishnagar (40 km), Baharampur (46 km). Other areas connected with state highway from debagram to Tehatta, kaligunj & Katwa.

Trains passing through Debagram:-

Education

Debagram village has lower literacy rate compared to West Bengal. In 2011, literacy rate of Debagram village was 73.79% compared to 76.26% of West Bengal. In Debagram Male literacy stands at 76.27% while female literacy rate was 71.15%.

Colleges

Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools

Primary and Junior High Schools

Media

News papers:- Anandabazar Patrika, Bartaman, Ei Somoy, Sangbad Protidin, Aajkal, Khobor 365, Ganashaki, Times Of India(TOI), The Telegraph, The Statesman, The Hindu.

Radio Stations:- Akashbani Kolkata

Television:- Doordarshan & several private channel via Cable, DTH etc.