Odhra

Geography

Odhra is located at 31.82°N 75.68°E / 31.82; 75.68. It has an average elevation of 240 metres (787 feet) from sea level. Village has 0% forest coverage and 1% waste land used for discarding house hold waste and animal carcasses. Water bodies cover 0.5% of the total land and comprises natural pond, canal and a seasonal rivulet.

Location

Odhra is located on the block road which connects Dasuya with Himachal Pradesh via Kamahi Devi. It is located in the district Hoshiarpur of Punjab state in India. Village is well connected with Dasuya, Jhalota, Bagalipur, Terkiana, Balgan by metaled roads. Dasuya is connected with rail, and highways with rest of India. Major cities in the vicinity of Odhra are Hoshiarpur (46 km), Jalandhar (58 km), Gurdaspur (42 km), Amritsar (93 km) and Pathankot (58 km). State highways running through Dasuya connect Hoshiarpur, Talwara, and Hajipur to the town. Other connecting roads link Dasuya with Amritsar through Shri Hargovindpur, Daulatpur through Kamahi Devi and Kapurthala through Miani and Begowal. The Holy Shrine of Mata Chintpurni(Chinnmastika) can also be reached via Hajipur-Talwara route.

A major rivulet (Langarpur choe) runs through Odhra which is a seasonal tributary of river Beas.

History

History of Odhra goes back to pre-Independence era. Village was inhabited by Sikhs and Muslims before 1947. After partition Muslims moved to Pakistan and Sikhs remained in the village helping Muslims to migrate. There are ruins of wells and buildings in the village.

Transport

There are regular, round the clock bus services from Delhi via Hoshiarpur or Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Ambala, Ludhiana, Ferozpur, Faridkot, Moga, Hissar, Kapurthala, Shimla, Haridwar, Jaipur and other major cities of North India operated by Punjab Roadways, PEPSU, Haryana Roadways, CTU, Delhi Transport Corporation, Himachal Parivahan Nigam, J&K SRTC, Rajasthan Roadways and UP Roadways apart from several private operators to Dasuya. From Dasuya one can catch local transport, cycle rickshaw, autos or buses (Hoshiarpur road) to reach Odhra.

Dasuya railway station is well connected with all parts of India and is the busiest station in Hoshiarpur district. Trains towards Kanyakumari, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Mangalore, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kolkota, Indore, Delhi, Patna, Jaipur, Ahmadabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Haridwar, Ambala, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Katra, Udhampur and Jammu passes through Dasuya.

Airports near Odhra are in Pathankot (Deccan air service to Delhi and Kangra, Air India to Delhi via Ludhiana), Raja Sansi International Airport (UK, Canada, Singapore, middle east, central Asia, Slovenia and rest of India), Ludhiana (domestic), Chandigarh (domestic) and Mohali (international ). Nearest helipad is in Uchi bassi but temporary arrangements are done in the city stadium.

Economy

Agriculture is the main income source for Odhra. Fields spread from Dasuya to Bagalipur and Saglan to Jhalota. Majority of youth from Odhra have served or are serving in Indian Armed forces (Air force, Army,Navy and paramilitary services). Foreign funds are received by few families. Since independence Odhra is known for its brick kilns. Bricks for constructions are supplied throughout Punjab and Himachal region from Odhra.

Places of interest

1. Khankhan: A Sufi saint place where religious function is held on every Thursday.

2. Gurudwara Sahib: This is the oldest Gurudwara and an annual 'Jod Mela Baba Banna Ram' is held every year in August.

3. Temple: A temple is run by a local female priest in the West side.

4. Mosque: An old Mosque a symbol of pre independence Muslim population is present in the middle of Odhra

5. Driving Route: Odhra is on the scenic driving route from Dasuya

Education

A primary school run by Punjab Government was located on the westside of the village. However this was shut down by the Punjab government. Students now attend schools at Panwan, Jhalota, Balgan and Dasuya for higher studies. Literacy rate of Odhra is 99%. Resident and natives of Odhra are working as engineers, media person, TV anchors, doctors, professors in national and international universities, banking officers, business men and civil servants in Punjab government.

Administration

A village panchayat governs Odhra. It consists of democratically elected Sarpanch (head) and five panchs (members). Revenue collection and assistant to Panchs is provided by Numberdars (Lambardar, current post is held by Bajwas). Apart from these members village has several socially and politically influential members actively working towards upliftment of society and village.

Development

All main roads of Odhra are metaled and all streets are made up of concrete or bricks. School building was rebuilt and water tank with clean fresh water was provided to the school. Village has continuous supply of fresh water provided by the Govt. of Punjab. Village still lack sewage system or waste water treatment plant. Pond of Odhra which recharges the water table needs extensive cleaning and desilting. Every house hold owns modern day appliances such as colour TV, refrigerator, two wheelers and LPG stoves.

Notable people