Gurgaon 839750 225625629 2008-07-14T16:49:55Z Enthusiast10 7304491 /* District Administration */ {{pp-semi|small=yes}} {{Copyedit|date=June 2008}} {{Original research|date=July 2008}} {{Unreferenced|date=July 2008}} {{Infobox Indian Jurisdiction |native_name = Gurgaon |other_name = गुड़गांव |type = City |state_name = Haryana |metro = Delhi |latd = 28.47 |longd = 77.03 |inset_map_marker = yes |altitude = 220 |district = Gurgaon |population_as_of = 2001 |population_total = 228,820 |parliament_const = |assembly_const = |taluk = |planning_agency = Haryana Urban Development Authority |civic_agency = |area_telephone = 0091 - 124 |postal_code = 122 001 |vehicle_code_range = HR 26, HR 55 |footnotes = |skyline =Picture31.png|5000px |skyline_caption =DLF City, Gurgaon }} '''Gurgaon''' {{audio|Gurgaon.ogg|pronunciation}} ([[Hindi]]: गुड़गांव) is the sixth largest [[city]] in the [[India]]n [[Indian state|state]] of [[Haryana]]. According to the 2001 India census, Gurgaon has a population of 228,820.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999 2001 census figures - official website of Government of India]</ref> Gurgaon has grown extensively during the last decade due to its proximity to [[Delhi]] and its emergence as a major [[outsourcing]] destination and as a [[real estate]] market in [[northern India]]. An important town in ancient [[Hindu mythology]], Gurgaon is one of [[Delhi|Delhi's]] four major [[satellite cities]] and is therefore considered to be a part of the [[National Capital Region (India)|National Capital Region of India]]. Over the past few years the city has grown tremendously as an outsourcing destination within India and has also witnessed a big real estate boom. It has also become the poshest area of Delhi with numerous Villas and [[condominium]]s and many malls with multinational brands. == Etymology == The origins of the city's name are steeped in [[Hindu mythology]]. Legend has it that Gurgaon is the ancestral village of Guru [[Dronacharya]], the teacher of the [[Pandavas]] and [[Kauravas]] in the Indian epic, the ''[[Mahabharata]]''. In [[Sanskrit]], ''Guru'' means teacher, which in this case refers to Dronacharya and ''Gram'' means village. According to Hindu mythology, the village was gifted by the Pandavas and Kauravas to Dronacharya, and was therefore known as ''guru-gram''. The ''gram'' was over a period of time rounded off to a colloquial ''gaon'' (which also means village in [[Prakrit]]) and hence the name ''Gurgaon'' emerged. According to another theory, the word Gurgaon is an amalgamation of the words 'gur' (a kind of [[Jaggery]]) and 'gaon'(village). == History == [[Image:United Provinces 1903.gif|thumb|left|Gurgaon in [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] Province in 1903.]] Before the real estate boom, Gurgaon was dominated by [[Jat people]]. Jats, like the citizens of [[ancient Rome]], alternated between farming and fighting for their lands in this part of the world for centuries. This fierce race had been the buffer by default shielding Hindus from foreign Islamic invasions from the northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent. However, after the rise of [[Mughal]]s, Jats' influence gradually waned. During the [[British India|British rule in India]], Gurgaon was integrated into the [[Punjab (British India)|Punjab Province]]. Following India's independence, Gurgaon remained a part of the state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] but after the bloody [[Punjab insurgency]], it became a part of the newly created state of Haryana. Gurgaon remained a small farming village while neighboring Delhi emerged as India's political capital. Delhi's economic rise attracted a large influx of laborers from neighboring regions like [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Haryana]] and Punjab rapidly increasing Delhi's population. By early 1990s, Delhi was one of the most populated and crowded cities in the world and the need for a [[satellite city]] became more apparent. Gurgaon seemed like an ideal choice given its vast undeveloped farming lands and proximity to Delhi. Real estate firms, like the [[DLF Group]], bought large acres of land from farmers in Gurgaon and developed high-end residential apartments. Tax incentives by the state government of Haryana and improvement in infrastructure attracted Indian companies and foreign investment and Gurgaon emerged as a major manufacturing and services hub in northern India. == Geography and Climate == Gurgaon is located at {{coor d|28.47|N|77.03|E|}}<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/10/Gurgaon.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Gurgaon]</ref>. It has an average elevation of 220&nbsp;metres (721&nbsp;ft). The present Gurgaon district comprising nine blocks Tauru, Nuh, Pataudi, Nagina, Punhana, F.P.Jhirka, Sohna, Gurgaon & Farrukhnagar was created on 15 August,1979. It is the southern-most district of Haryana. On its north, it is bounded by the district of Rohtak and the Union Territory of Delhi. [[Faridabad district]] lies to its east. On its south, the district shares boundaries with the states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. To its west lies the district of Rewari and the State of [[Rajasthan]]. Gurgaon is situated between the Himalayas and Aravalis mountain ranges. It is surrounded on 3 sides by Haryana and to the east, across the river Yamuna by Uttar Pradesh. Its greatest length is around 13 miles and the greatest breadth is 17 miles. Delhi's altitude ranges between 213 to 305 meters above sea level.|<ref>[http://http://www.webindia123.com/territories/Delhi/land/land.htm]</ref>. ==Demographics== As of 2001 India [[census]]<ref>{{GR|India}}</ref>, Gurgaon had a population of 228,820. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Gurgaon has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 73%. In Gurgaon, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. ===Ethnicity=== Most Gurgaonites are Jats and Punjabis {{Fact|date=July 2008}}. But now due to the real estate boom there also a large number of Biharis and Oriyas {{Fact|date=July 2008}}. There is also a fast growing expatriates community with foreign investment flowing into Gurgaon but there is also a growing African and Bangladeshi community{{Fact|date=July 2008}}. Most Gurgaonites are Hindu but there are also a small number of Muslims and Parsis. == Economy == {{see|List of companies in Gurgaon}} [[Image:Cyber Greens.jpg|left|thumb|Cyber Greens Office Complex contains the offices of ABN Amro, Microsoft IBM Daksh, Sapient, Nokia, Canon, and Alcatel]] [[Image:DLF.jpg|right|thumb|DLF Square]][[Image:Plaza Tower.jpg|thumb|Plaza Tower]] Initially a small farming village located south of Delhi, Gurgaon saw a massive increase in its population and economy after real estate major, [[DLF Group]], bought farms owned by local people and started developing [[Housing estate|housing societies]] for upper-[[middle class]] residents of Delhi. One such housing society, ''DLF City'', became a real estate phenomenon in northern India with many Delhites preferring the greener and newly planned Gurgaon over the congested and heavily polluted metropolis. [[Image:Signature Towers.jpg|left|thumb|Signature Towers was one of the first Bussiness Parks in Gurgaon]] [[Image:Untech Business park.jpg|thumb|left|One of many bussiness parks in Gurgaon]] [[Image:DLF Gatweway Tower.png|thumb|DLF Gateway Towers]] Favorable tax policy by the Haryana government, improvement in the city's infrastructure by [[Haryana Urban Development Authority]] and the need of a business center close to [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] saw the emergence of Gurgaon as one of the most prominent [[outsourcing]] and [[offshoring]] hubs in [[South Asia]]. [[Real estate]], [[automobiles]], [[retail]] and [[banking]] are other major industries. Gurgaon contributes over 50% of Haryana's income tax revenues along with [[Faridabad]]. <ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051228/delhi.htm Over 50% IT in Haryana from Faridabad, Gurgaon - The Chandigarh Tribune]</ref> Numerous tall structures were built around the city to accommodate a rapid growth in population{{Fact|date=July 2008}}. Surrounding villages were absorbed into Gurgaon as the city rapidly expanded outwards. The tallest highrise office and residential buildings are mostly located in the north western areas of the city, and especially in the business and shopping districts of [[MG Road]], [[DLF City]], and [[Ashok Marg]]. The headquarters of Gurgaon's largest companies and banks are also located in this area. As a result of Gurgaon's exponential growth during in the 21st century, a significant portion of the city's outskirts consists of small villages that have been absorbed into the city{{Fact|date=July 2008}}. Soon Gurgaon earned the title of a city rather than a suburb. The distribution of outsourcing companies is skewed towards non-[[Information technology|IT]] services {{Fact|date=July 2008}}. India's outsourcing industry was born in Gurgaon in 1997 when GE Capital International Services (GECIS) was set up as the India-based business process services operations of GE Capital{{Fact|date=July 2008}}. In 2005, GECIS became an independent company - [[Genpact]], which is now headquartered in Gurgaon. A number of [[BPO]] and [[KPO]] firms such as [[Keane]], [[Genpact]], [[Evalueserve]], [[Dell]], [[British Telecom]], [[Accenture]], [[Hewitt Associates]] and [[Convergys]] have Gurgaon as their regional operations hub. This trend continued after several other firms like [[Alcatel-Lucent]], [[Niksun]], [[IBM]], [[Opera Solutions]] and [[Bain & Company]] established themselves in the city. Gurgaon also has a major manufacturing industry. Several auto-manufacturing facilities exist including India's largest passenger car company, [[Maruti Suzuki]], and largest [[motorcycle]] company, [[Hero Honda]], are based in Gurgaon. The outsourcing boom has led to a rapid growth in employment prospects and local wages, leading to a mushrooming of [[shopping mall]]s, restaurants and entertainment facilities. Demand for such lifestyle options is driven by the demographic shift to a younger, more cosmopolitan, more affluent and better educated population. This also led to boom in the city's [[retail]] industry. Gurgaon has also benefited from the aviation boom in India, though it lost the bid for the new international airport in the the Delhi area to Greater Noida. India currently has 16 airlines, out of which [[IndiGo Airlines]] and [[MDLR Airlines]] have their headquarters in Gurgaon. A major international airline [[British Airways]] has its office and ticket booking facilities in DLF Phase 4, Gurgaon. Thousands of professionals have recently made their home in Gurgaon, living in apartments or in newly constructed colonies and [[condominium]]s. The mushrooming shopping malls of Gurgaon, like the [[DLF City Centre]], [[DLF Grand Mall]], [[DLF Mega Mall]], [[Sahara Mall]], [[MGF Metropolitan Mall]], [[MGF Mega City]], [[DLF Star Mall]], are also indicative of the recognition by retailers of the far-reaching aspirations, and deep pockets, of the residents of the city. By 2010, the state government hopes to complete a world class Golden Triangle City Centre (GTCC) in Sector 29 with as many as four skyscrapers higher than [[Taipei 101]].Some experts are worried about the project because Gurgaon lies in an earthquake prone area <ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Delhi/Gurgaon_plans_to_build_four_140-storey_towers/articleshow/482058.cms Gurgaon plans to build four 140 storey towers]</ref>. The fast growing population, with increasing purchasing power, has created a huge demand for housing, resulting in escalating property prices in recent years. == Transportation == {{Cleanup|date=May 2008}} {{verification|section}} [[Image:Gurgaon Expressway.jpg|thumb|left|Expressway with streetlights.]] [[Image:Toll Gate.jpg|thumb|The 32 lane toll gate at [[National Highway 8]] is the largest in Asia and third largest in the world]] [[Image:Gurgaonway.jpg|thumb|right|Traffic at rush hour.]] The state governments of Delhi and Haryana have created an 8 lane expressway from Delhi to Gurgaon, which meets European standards {{Fact|date=July 2008}}. It is part of the is a part of [[Golden Quadrilateral]] project. Though only 28 km long, the expressway became one of the 35 motorways in the world and the fourth in India to have street lights {{Fact|date=July 2008}}. The [[expressway]] between Gurgaon and New Delhi, and provides non-stop connectivity to the [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] and the Domestic Airport and to [[Dhaula Kuan]] in Delhi over a distance of 28 kilometers (18 miles), and includes 7 flyovers and 5 underpasses along the stretch. The city has a limited intra-city public transport {{Fact|date=July 2008}}. There are a handful of local buses plying on a few routes. The only other form of public transport is shared [[auto rickshaw]]s, which are generally overcrowded. Recently the Gurgaon administration has started city bus service {{Fact|date=July 2008}}.Some new Tata Starbus were bought by the administration to ply on the main roads linking to New Delhi. Most Gurgaonites own cars as the cream of the Delhi-ites have moved to Gurgaon. A metro line too is supposed to link the prosperous suburb of Delhi, Gurgaon with other parts of Delhi. A [[Monorail]] or suburban railway is also being discussed by the Haryana government to link Gurgaon with Delhi. The main Bus Depot of the city connects to all neighboring towns including Delhi. The buses to Delhi are the most frequent and have a choice of routes between [[AIIMS]] (via [[Mehrauli]]) and [[Dhaula Kuan]]. It also connects to [[Rohtak]], [[Jammu]], [[Faridabad]] to name a few. Gurgaon has its railway station located at the extreme corner of the city. The rails connect to both [[Rewari]] on one side and [[Delhi Cantt]] on other.Car parking space is extremely limited at the station too. Gurgaon residents mostly depend on railway stations in Delhi or Faridabad (on Delhi-Mumbai/Chennai track) for long-distance travel. Plans to extend the [[Delhi Metro]] to Gurgaon have now been formally approved by both Delhi and Haryana governments, both having reached a cost sharing arrangement. Delhi Metro to Gurgaon is expected to be completed by the year 2010 {{Fact|date=July 2008}}. ==Education== {{See|List of schools in Gurgaon}} The city is home to a number of reputed educational institutions - [[Management Development Institute|MDI]], ITM (Institute Of Technology and Management), [[Indian Institute of Law]], IILM Institute for Higher Education, The State Bank training Academy, The Fertiliser Development Institute, Potash Research Institute, [[Gurgaon Institute Of Dental Sciences]], Saluja CAD Consultancy, Civil Lines, Pragati Polytechnic, [[Dronacharya College Of Engineering]], [[Apeejay College Of Engineering]], [[Institute for International Management and Technology]] (IIMT) which is in collaboration with [[Oxford Brookes University]], UK,ICFAI( Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India) Business School. Gurgoanites normally do their higher studies in Delhi. Schools and higher educational institutions in Delhi are administered either by the Directorate of Education, the NCT government, or private organizations. In 2004–05, there were 2,515 primary, 635 middle, 504 secondary and 1,208 senior secondary schools in Delhi. The higher education institutions in the city included 165 colleges, among them five medical colleges and eight engineering colleges,[81] six universities—DU, JNU, JMI, GGSIPU, IGNOU and Jamia Hamdard—and nine deemed universities. GGSIPU is the only state university; IGNOU is for open/distance learning; the rest are all central universities. [[Image:Mall road, Gurgaon.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Outside the Sahara Mall on MG Road]] ==Shopping== {{seealso|Shopping in Delhi#Gurgaon}} Gurgaon is known for its large number of malls and shopping facilities, attributed to be one of the major factors in its recent growth. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501040920-695915,00.html|title=India's Mania for Malls|last=Adiga|first=Aravind|publisher=TIME.com|accessdate=2008-06-19}}</ref> In [[March 2008]], a new law went into effect in the state requiring all malls and shopping centers to be closed one day per week in order to conserve electricity and help traffic flow, with Gurgaon choosing Tuesday as their day. Businesses can obtain a permit to stay open on Tuesdays.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=aca7e486-9c27-4c5a-888c-33f3df0dfdb0&&Headline=Gurgaon+malls+told+to+take+Tuesdays+off|title=Gurgaon malls told to take Tuesdays off|publisher=Hindustan Times|accessdate=2008-06-19}}</ref> ==District Administration== [[Image:Interceptor.jpg|thumb|Delhi and Gurgaon Police work together to keep Gurgaon safe. Interceptors patrol the Delhi Gurgaon Expressway and many of the main roads in Gurgaon.]] * The [[Deputy Commissioner (India)|Deputy Commissioner]], an officer belonging to the [[Indian Administrative Service]], is the overall in-charge of the General Administration in the [[Districts of Haryana|district]]. He is assisted by a number of officers belonging to Haryana Civil Service and other Haryana state services. * Till recently, the [[Superintendent of Police (India)|Superintendent of Police]], an officer belonging to the [[Indian Police Service]], used to be responsible for maintaining Law & Order and related issues in the district. He was assisted by the officers of the Haryana Police Service and other Haryana Police officials. Now, since June, 2007 the Police System has been converted into Commissionerate system of policing at par with other metropolitan cities in India e.g. [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Pune]], etc. for better administration of law and order. * The [[Deputy Conservator of Forests (India)|Deputy Conservator of Forests]], an officer belonging to the [[Indian Forest Service]], is responsible for the management of the Forests, Environment and Wild-Life in the district. He is assisted by the officers of the Haryana Forest Service and other [[Haryana]] Forest officials and Haryana Wild-Life officials. * Sectoral development is looked after by the district head/officer of each development department such as [PWD], Health, Education, Agriculture, Animal husbandry, etc. These officers are from various [Haryana] state services. ==Media== [[Image:Del.jpg|thumb|The [[Pitampura TV Tower]] broadcasts programming to both Delhi and Gurgaon.]] Due to its close proximity to Delhi, Gurgaon shares media outlets with the capital city, such as radio stations, television stations, and newspapers. Television programming in the city includes two free terrestrial television channels offered by Doordarshan, and several Hindi, English and ''regional-languages'' [[Cable television|cable]] channels offered by [[Multi system operator]]s. [[Direct broadcast satellite|Satellite television]], in contrast, is yet to gain large-scale subscribership in the city.<ref name=dthrediff>{{cite web| url = http://www.rediff.com///money/2006/sep/05iycu.htm| title = What is CAS? What is DTH?| accessdate = 2007-01-08 | author = Rediff Business Desk |date = [[5 September]] [[2006]] | work = rediff news: Business |publisher = [[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Print journalism is also shared in Gurgaon and Delhi. During the year 2004–05, 1029 newspapers&mdash;in thirteen languages&mdash;were published in Delhi. Of these, 492 were [[Hindi]] language newspapers, and included ''[[Navbharat Times]]'', ''[[Dainik Hindustan]]'', ''[[Punjab Kesri]]'', ''[[Dainik Jagran]]'', ''[[Dainik Bhaskar]]'' and fastest growing weekly ''The Stageman International''.<ref name=rnidata>{{cite web| url = https://rni.nic.in/pii.htm | title = General Review | accessdate = 2006-12-21 | work = | publisher = Registrar of Newspapers for India }}</ref> Among the [[English language]] newspapers, ''The [[Hindustan Times]]'', with over a million copies in circulation, was the single largest daily.<ref name=rnidata/> Other major English newspapers include ''[[Indian Express]]'', ''[[Business Standard]]'', ''[[Times of India]]'', ''[[The Hindu]]'', ''[[The Pioneer (daily)|The Pioneer]]'' and ''[[Asian Age]]''. Radio is a less popular mass medium in Delhi, although FM radio has been gaining ground<ref name=radiomass>{{cite web| url = http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/trust/pdf/india_sex_selection/Chapter4.pdf |title = Chapter4: Towards a Mass Media Campaign: Analysing the relationship between target audiences and mass media| accessdate = 2007-01-08| last = Naqvi| first = Farah| date = [[14 November]] [[2006]]| format = PDF| work = Images and icons: Harnessing the Power of Mass Media to Promote Gender Equality and Reduce Practices of Sex Selection| publisher = BBC World Service Trust| pages = 26–36 }}</ref> since the inauguration of several new [[Frequency modulation|FM]] channels in 2006.<ref name=asiawaves>{{cite web |url = http://www.asiawaves.net/india/delhi-radio.htm| title = Delhi: Radio Stations in Delhi, India| accessdate = 2007-01-07 | date = [[15 November]] [[2006]]| work = ASIAWAVES: Radio and TV Broadcasting in South and South-East Asia| publisher = Alan G. Davies }}</ref> A number of state-owned and private radio stations broadcast from Delhi, including [[All India Radio]] (AIR), one of the world's largest radio service providers, which offers six radio channels in ten languages. Other city-based radio stations include ''[[Big FM]] (92.7 FM)''''[[Radio Mirchi]] (98.3 FM)'', ''Fever (104.0 FM), ''Radio One (94.3 FM)'', ''Red FM (93.5 FM)'' and ''[[Radio City (India radio station)|Radio City]] (91.1 FM)''. {{Commonscat|Gurgaon}} ==References== {{reflist}} == External links == * [http://gurgaon.nic.in/ Gurgaon web site] * {{wikitravel}} {{Neighborhoods of Delhi}} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Cities and towns in Haryana]] [[Category:Haryana]] [[Category:Neighbourhoods of Delhi]] [[Category:Gurgaon|*]] <!--Other languages--> [[hi:??????? ????]] [[ro:Gurgaon]] [[sv:Gurgaon]]