Margherita

 is a small town in Tinsukia district in the Indian state of Assam. The small sub-divisional town has scenic beauty and is surrounded by hills, tea gardens, forests and the Dihing River. It has a beautiful golf course at the foot of the hills and a small stream running through. Although considered to be a small town, Margherita boasts of many hospitals and educational institutions and is regularly frequented by visitors on account of it being the last proper town of Upper Assam. The name Margherita actually derives from the Italian queen and dates back to the late 19th century as a token appreciation for the Italian Chief Engineer of a rail section Chevalier R Paginini who supervised the construction. Margherita was famous for its collieries much developed by the British. Coal India Ltd has the biggest industrial plant here. The town is also known as Coal Queen as it is famous for coal business. Apart from this there are other industrial plants like Kitply and Tata Tea (amalgamated plantations), along with minor plywood industries and tea gardens.

Geography :

Margherita is a municipal town city in district of Tinsukia, Assam. The Margherita city is divided into 4 wards for which elections are held every 5 years. The Margherita Town Committee has population of 26,914 of which 13,777 are males while 13,137 are females as per report released by Census India 2011.

Population of Children with age of 0-6 is 2635 which is 9.79 % of total population of Margherita (TC). In Margherita Town Committee, Female Sex Ratio is of 954 against state average of 958. Moreover Child Sex Ratio in Margherita is around 966 compared to Assam state average of 962. Literacy rate of Margherita city is 87.70 % higher than state average of 72.19 %. In Margherita, Male literacy is around 91.57 % while female literacy rate is 83.64 %.

Margherita Town Committee has total administration over 5,990 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage. It is also authorize to build roads within Town Committee limits and impose taxes on properties coming under its jurisdiction.

Demographics :

As of 2001 India census,[2] Margherita had a population of 23,836. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Margherita has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 71%. In Margherita, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. The main communities of the area includes Assamese, Bengali, Nepali, Bihari, Singpho etc.

Language :

Bengali is the most spoken language at 11,299 speakers, followed by Assamese at 6,496, Hindi is spoken by 4,088 people, Nepali at 1,172 and Sadri at 1,030

Religion and festivals :

The population is a mix of Assamese, Bengali, Nepali, Odiya (this population migrated or were hired to work in the tea gardens) as well as those who migrated from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and other South Indian states to work in the coal mines. A major chunk of the population is Hindus followed by Muslims and Christians. In the interior parts, some people follow Buddhism. The main festival in Margherita is Bihu, celebrated in the month of January (Magh Bihu), April (Bohag Bihu) and Kartik Bihu in September–October. Madam-me-fi is also celebrated in the month of January. Other than that, as this place has a multi-cultural heritage, Durga Puja, Bhai Tika, Holi, Diwali, Chhath Puja, Buddha Purnima, Eid, Christmas, etc. are celebrated with much fun fare.

Education :

Margherita has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 71%.

Various schools and colleges are situated in Margherita. Some of the prominent ones are:

  • Margherita College,
  • St. Mary’s School, Margherita,
  • Margherita Public Higher Secondary School,
  • St. James’ School, Margherita,
  • Town High School, Margherita,
  • Jatiya Vidyalaya, Margherita,
  • A.R.&T. Co. High School, Margherita,
  • Gandhi Vidya Mandir, Margherita,
  • Margherita Hindi High School,
  • Axom Junior College, Margherita,
  • KIDZEE & Sun Shine High School, Margherita.
  • Margherita Balya Bhawan,margherita