Origination of Ranipet:
Ranipet town was built around the year 1771 by Sadullakhan in honor of the youthful widow of Desingh Raja of Gingee (now its chengi) - who committed Sati upon her husband's death. Out of respect for Desingh Raja's valor and his wife's devotion, the Nawab formed a new village opposite to Arcot on the Northern bank of Palar river and named it as "Ranipettai".
The town gained importance since the establishment of European cantonment. About a mile west of Ranipet is a remarkable thope extending along the Palar river, for a distance of 4.8 Km which is known as 'Navlakh Bagh'. It is supposed to contain 9 lakhs of trees and hence the name "Navlakh Bagh".The local legend states that when the Moghuls first occupied Arcot, the lands around were covered with woods, which the Nawab cut down. The birds that were deprived of their nesting places flocked to the palace and tormented the Nawab with their plaintive cries until he appeased them by planting this extensive thope.
Hospital
Dr.Ida Scudder first started a hospital
here, which is a initiative for building Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore. The famous Christian Medical College and Hospital in Vellore started its function first by the name Scudder Memorial Hospital (SMH) in Ranipet.
Rail line
The second railway line of the Indian subcontinent started from Royapuram in North Madras to Ranipettai. The line was opened for traffic in July 1856.According to information available with the Southern Railway, "Two trains each with coaches made by Simpson & Co, the leading coachbuilders of the day, inaugurated the service. One carried the Governor and 300 Europeans and the other with Indian invitees followed. The Illustrated London News gave a graphic description of the inaugural train passing across the arid plain of the Carnatic, frightening herdsmen and cattle."
"The complexity of the Indian Railway operations and the range of facilities required for the hierarchic and heterogeneous nature of the passenger traffic forced colonial railway authorities to build railway stations that reflect their Imperial power."
Industries
There are a number of large and medium scale leather industries making both finished leather and leather articles such as shoes and garments for export. There are other small scale industries in Ranipet mostly engaged in chemical, leather and tool making. These industries are the major lifeline for the town.
One of the oldest companies in Ranipet that was formed in early 19th century is East India Distilleries (EID). Messrs Parry and Company has an establishment here for the manufacture of chemicals and ceramic warestion. Parry named after Thomas Parry who sailed to India and started a merchant business in India. The branch of EID Parry located in Ranipet, is one of the largest ceramic plants in South India. In addition to Ceramics, this company also produces fertilizers in this location sold to farmers around the country. EID Parry also produces confectioneries in other locations.
After the acquisition of the company Johnson & Pedder, EID Parry also acquired the pride of producing Ballerina ceramic designs in India. Most residents, several decades ago, worked for EID Parry before the expansion of Sipcot Industrial complex and arrival of Central government aided engineering unit such as BHEL.
The town is home to the Boiler Auxiliaries Plant of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), a major Central Government owned enterprise. Ranipet also has about 250 small scale engineering units catering mainly to BHEL. Ranipet, is probably the second largest fabrication cluster in India. Arcelor-Mittal's Dhamm processing Ltd has invested more than 100 crores . Metco Roof has acquired land for their new unit.
Malladi drugs and pharmaceuticals Ltd is located in Ranipet. They have 4 manufacturing units in Ranipet. Ranipet holds the credit of being the second largest leather industrial estate in India.
One of the oldest companies in Ranipet that was formed in early 19th century is East India Distilleries (EID). Messrs Parry and Company has an establishment here for the manufacture of chemicals and ceramic warestion. Parry named after Thomas Parry who sailed to India and started a merchant business in India. The branch of EID Parry located in Ranipet, is one of the largest ceramic plants in South India. In addition to Ceramics, this company also produces fertilizers in this location sold to farmers around the country. EID Parry also produces confectioneries in other locations.
After the acquisition of the company Johnson & Pedder, EID Parry also acquired the pride of producing Ballerina ceramic designs in India. Most residents, several decades ago, worked for EID Parry before the expansion of Sipcot Industrial complex and arrival of Central government aided engineering unit such as BHEL.
The town is home to the Boiler Auxiliaries Plant of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), a major Central Government owned enterprise. Ranipet also has about 250 small scale engineering units catering mainly to BHEL. Ranipet, is probably the second largest fabrication cluster in India. Arcelor-Mittal's Dhamm processing Ltd has invested more than 100 crores . Metco Roof has acquired land for their new unit.
Malladi drugs and pharmaceuticals Ltd is located in Ranipet. They have 4 manufacturing units in Ranipet. Ranipet holds the credit of being the second largest leather industrial estate in India.
More than 60% of Asia’s leather production comes from Ranipet and it is the second largest foreign exchange earner in Tamil Nadu.
Some of the know industries are:
- State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited (SIPCOT) Industrial Complex on the Chennai- Bangalore Highway.
- Thirumalai Chemicals Limited (TCL), started production of Phthalic Anhydride in 1976 in Ranipet, in South India.
- Boiler Auxiliaries Plant of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).
- EID (East India Distilleries) Parry.
- Malladi drugs and pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Ranipet is also noted for manufacturing beedi. The weekly cattle shandy here attracts numerous people from neighbouring areas.
Schools
Schools like Government higher secondary school, Vilva Ratna Villa (VRV) girls higher secondary school, and Little Flower Convent (LFC) , in the Ranipet, gave many scholars for decades. These schools still holds the fame and name for the educational services. Vetrimaaran, a Tamil film director, studied in Ranipet upto his tenth grade.
Facts
The historical Delhi Gate, situated on the banks of river Palar, is a major attraction.
Ranipet is 110 km from Chennai, by road. Walajah Road Junction Railway Station is the nearest railhead. The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport.
Ranipet in Tamil Nadu, known for its tanneries and chemical treatment units, is the lone Indian city to make it to the top 10 dirtiest and polluted industrial cities in the world.
Located about 100 miles upstream from Chennai, Ranipet is the fourth largest urban area in India with a 3.5 million population.
Although Ranipet is a medium-sized town, its problems pose a potential risk to the population of the nearby Vellore city.
A factory in Ranipet manufactures sodium chromate, chromium salts and basic chromium sulfate tanning powder used in the leather industry.
According to a study by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, nearly 15 lakh tonne of solid wastes accumulated over two decades of plant operation are stacked in an open yard on the premises contaminating the groundwater. The contamination has affected the health, resources and livelihood of thousands, the BI report said.
There is widespread fear that if the pollution level is left unchecked, the Palar basin, the main drinking water source in the region, could also be contaminated.
The very first statue for the father of India, Mahatma Gandhiji, is installed in ranipet after his death. Recently, the statue is renewed and placed in Ranipet government higher secondary school.
During British rule, Kamaraj was wanted by British. That time Kamaraj got sheltered in Ranipet. ()
There is also another fact that Ranipet is a gift given by arcot nawah to his wife as token of love.
Most of these facts and other information are gathered from websites and local folks. Please feel free to share more facts on Ranipet and let the future generation to knew and learn more about Ranipet.
