Send Flowers to Ichalkaranji

Textile Development Cluster : To enhance and improve the infrastructure facilities of the city, Municipal Council along with Ichalkaranji Co-operative Industrial Estate, Laxmi Co-operative Industrial Estate, Parvati Industrial Estate and DKTE Textile and Engineering Institute have jointly come together and formed a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company viz. “Ichalkaranji Textile Development Cluster Limited (ITDC).The individual members will contribute to the extent of about 50% of the project cost and the balance amount would come in from the grant in aid from Department of Industrial Promotion and Policy, Government of India,under the Industrial Infrastructure up-gradation Scheme (IIUS).

The foresighted ruler gave a royal patronage by extending financial assistance as well as free land to the desires weavers and other enterprising entrepreneurs.He deliberately invited lot of marwari ( Rajsthani ) businessman to Ichalakranji & start business. During his visit to Denmark and other western countries, the Chief had an access to the co-operative sector of these countries and he was very much impressed with the success of the Co-operative sector of these countries and on his return to India, he vowed to exercise this movement for the benefit of his only subject, that is reformation of the microeconomics of the town for Prosperity, growth and Self-sustainability of the society.

Established in 1990 the organization works as a project based Non Government Organisations (NGO). In the year 1989, the birth centenary year of late Hon’ble K. B. Hedgewar, the founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the idea transpired that some work, related to the service of the under privileged people should be initiated in city of Ichalkaranji. This is the inspiration of Seva Bharati, Ichalkaranji and from 1990 Organisation is working in the field of health, education and related dimensions for the last 20years. Seva Bharati has been able to spread its SEVA initiatives (service) in Ichalkaranji city itself and surrounding 12 villages, two of which are from Karnataka state.

Schools in Ichalkaranji are either “municipal schools” (run by the IMC) or private schools (run by trusts or individuals), which in some cases receive financial aid from the government. The schools are affiliated either with the Maharashtra State Board (MSBSHSE), The all-India Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) boards. Marathi or English is the usual language of instruction. The government run public schools lack many facilities, but are the only option for poorer residents who cannot afford the more expensive private schools.

After his training in Gwalior, Balkrishnabua came to Mumbai and the Miraj. As the climate of Miraj seemed to suit him he desired to settle down there. Balkrishnabua’s fame began to draw disciples from surrounding places. His disciples included Gundubua, Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, Mirashi buwa, Anant Manohar Joshi of Aundh, Nilkanthabua Jangam, Vamanbua Chaphekar, his son Annabua Ichalkaranjikar, etc.His style of singing was pure Gwalior of Haddu Hassu Khan vintage. His contribution is remarkable in bringing the Gwalior gharana gayaki to Maharashtra and for popularising it. Pandit Balakrishnabuwa Ichalkaranjikar died in 1926 at the age of 77 years.

‘Rajsthani festivals ‘ About more than 15% population being migrated from Rajsthan, all the major festivals of Rajsthan like Gan Gour, Teej, Holi are celebrated here with great joy. The Diwali of Ichalakranji sees a cash turnover ( by sales of clothes & gift articles & pooja material )more than Rs.200 million within last five to six days of Diwali. Other festivals like ‘ Ramdev Baba ki Dooj ‘, Ramnavami, Mahesh Navami are celebrated with large participation of all the communities. Almost from each & every village or town or city from Rajsthan at least one person is residing at Ichalakranji so this place is also called as mini Rajsthan.

The presence of a qualified workforce and the level of technical know-how and easy accessibility to finest weavers of Ichalkaranji for outsoaring and over all good social ambiance were among the factors that influenced Italian textile major Tessitura Monti, Turkish textile maker ‘Soktas’, Bombay Rayon Fashions Ltd (BRFL), Raymond Zambaiti Ltd (A joint venture of Raymond’s Ltd and internationally renowned Cotonificio Honegger S.P.A, part of Gruppo Zambaiti), world famous German Men’s wear brands Liebe, Boys R Bad and Looty etc.. while planning investment near Ichalkaranji city.

Kishore Musale Charitable Trust (KMCT). The trust provides educational help and utilities to 25,000 students and 350 schools, in the areas of Vasai, Manor-Palghar and Thane. It has begun an ideal high school and junior college named Tatyasaheb Musale Vidyalaya at Ichalkaranji, equipped with facilities such as computer and science laboratories and a modern sports ground. This trust has also provided computers,classrooms, bore wells, etc. to mentally retarded and handicapped students in Kolhapur, Ichalkaranji and Thane.

The city’s economy is also driven by the engineering goods manufacturing industry (which has been around since the fifty’s). Several automotive component manufacturers have plant’s in or around the city, who are venders for companies such as: Maruti Udyog Ltd, Honda Motorcycle, Bajaj Auto, TVS Suzuki, Kehin Fie, Tata Motors, Kirloskar Brothers Limited, Mahindra & Mahindra, MICO. Emmel Vheelers has a manufacturing unit of hybrid three-wheeler, e-motorcycle, high-power scooters, and electric scooters in Ichalkaranji.

The FIE Foundation, a charity trust established in 1970, belongs to the ‘Fie Group of Industries’ in Ichalkaranji. The Chairman of the Fie Group, Shri P. D. Kulkarni, established the ‘Fie Foundation’ trust to recognize and reward eminent personalities and budding talents in a variety of fields. The awards are generally selected from the following fields: Engineering, Science & Technology, Humanities, Education, Agriculture, Music & Arts, Sports, Literature, Child Artist, and local talents.

City’s population as shows above is excluding newly developed industrial and residential area, villages that are already merged in Ichalkaranji (known as part of the city) but having gram panchayet such as Kabnur, Shapur, Yadrao and Korochi etc. Considering this city’s metropolitan population is over 3 lak. The language most widely spoken is Marathi. Other languages used are Kannada, Hindi, Gujarati & Marwari.Bihari many and Panjabi few languages in Ichalkaranji.

Before 1980 Ichalkaranji was famous for cotton poplin, dhoti, and cotton saris. In mid-1980s, weavers of the city started producing denim, canvas, chiffon, and fabric for school uniforms (khaki drill). Fabrics such as seersucker, Oxford, herringbone, ripstop, chambray, tweed, and twill made in or around the Ichalkaranji city are used by many domestic and international fashion brands such as Raymond’s of India, Armani, Banana Republic, Hugo Boss, and Paul Smith.

Thus, Naro Mahadev,the lad was benefitted by the general’s personal attention.Naro in turn served Santaji loyally and both developed affection for each other. Naro performed heroically and gallantly. As Naro Mahadeo proved his ability, he was promoted and later on was rewarded with Inams. Out of gratitude to his benefactor, Naro went on to change his surname from Joshi to Ghorpade, which to this day is the surname of the dynasty of rulers of Ichalkaranji.

As of the 2001 India census, Ichalkaranji had a population of 257,572. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Ichalkaranji has an average Literacy Rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 91%, and female literacy is 66%. In Ichalkaranji, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. According to the 2011 census estimate the population of the city is 287,570, making it the 151st most populous city in India.

As described by Horace George Franks in the book ‘The Story of Ichalkaranji'(1929), it would be imprudent to say that there were no ups and downs. But it should be noted that the women of the House of Ichalkaranji rulers were always ready to defend and also advance the interests of Ichalkaranji with as much courage and shrewdness as the male members. An outstanding example of this is Anubai, the wife of Venkatrao.

Star Maajha, Zee Marathi, Doordarshan Sahyadri, ETV Marathi, and Me Marathi are popular television channels. English and Hindi entertainment and news channels are watched as well. Ichalkaranji has had FM Radio services running for the last few years. Though Radio Tomato (Pudhari Publications). 94.3 MHz, Radio Mirchi (98.3 MHz) tops the popularity rating along with All India Radio FM (102.7 MHz).

Drama Theater : Shrimant Narayanrao Babasaheb Ghorpade Natyagrah. It is the unique theater in western Maharashtra. Seating capacity for 1200 persons. Fully air conditioned theater. This is the only air conditioned theater in south-west Maharashtra. It can be compare it with “Kalidas Theatre” in Nashik. The plans where prepared by kisloskar consultants, Pune. The plot area is about 19129 sq m.

The highest award conferred is the Rashtrabhushan Award. The awards are given annually in a grand ceremony held in Ichalkaranji in January or February. A few of chief guests who have graced the occasion are honorable Ex. Prime minister of India Shri. Chandrashekhar, hon’ble Ex. Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri. Manohar Joshi, cine actor Shri Dilip Kumar, and industrialist Shri Rahul Bajaj.

Mahasatta is the local newspaper of the City, while other Marathi language newspapers such as Sakaal, Pudhari, Loksatta, Lokmat, Kesari, Maharashtra Times, and Saamna are popular. Major English dailies in the city are The Times of India, The Indian Express Business Standard and The Economic Times. Major Hindi dailies in the city Navbharat Times and Vyapar of Janmabhoomi Group.

Ichalkaranji is popular among non vegetarians of this part country for its unique homemade Dinner of Goat mutton called Suke Mutton severed with Rassa ( a thin and spicy soup of goat), handmade Bhakri and onion salad. City has more than 100 such Gharguti khanaval (Small Hotels), famous names are Jambu Bugad, Jadhav, Savairam. City has a road known as Khanaval galli ( Hotel Road ).