2008
11.19
11.19
I thank sandeep for this video. Also to youtube.
Surat is the second largest city in Gujarat and ninth largest in India. The city is situated on the left bank of the Tapi River. The city is largely recognized for its textile and diamond businesses. It is also known as the diamond city of Gujarat. Ninety-two percent of the world’s diamonds are cut and polished in Surat. Surat is also considered a relatively clean city in India. It has one of the highest GDP growth rates in India at 16.5% as of 2008.
Surat has a tropical wet and dry climate, moderated strongly by the Arabian Sea. The summer begins in early March and lasts till June. April is the hottest month, the average temperature being 30o C. The monsoon begins in late June and the city receives about 800 mm of rain by the end of September, with the average temperature being around 28o C during those months. October and November see the retreat of the monsoon and a return of high temperatures till late November. Winter starts in December and ends in late February, with average temperatures of around 22o C, and little rain.
Surat is famous for its diamond industry and textile industry, along with silk and chemicals. It is at the heart of India’s thriving diamond-polishing industry, which in 2005 cut 92% of the world’s diamond pieces and earned India $15 billion in exports.
Surat’s infrastructure is improving steadily. The city has recently seen the completion of a large number of road projects, particularly elevated roads, or flyovers, in the diamond and textile zones of the city. This has significantly cut down the commuting time for many people traveling to the diamond and textile districts. One of the very few “Multi-Layer Flyovers” in India is now in Surat over Majura Gate. The Varachcha Flyover of Surat is India’s longest flyover under city municipal limits in the four lane category.
On the 22nd of August, 2007 bus service was opened by Surat Municiapl. It is considered one of the best city bus services in India. These buses have an LCD screen in the front giving details about the journey. The conductor uses an electronic machine to print out the tickets. The bus stops are relatively modern and comfortable. The bus service is general is relatively hi-tech and modern, which is rare in Indian cities.
The population of Surat according to new city limits is 4,539,358. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Surat has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 70%.
Surat is well known in India for its Surti cuisine, which includes perennial favorites such as Surti Ghari (a type of mithai), Locho, Surti Undhiyu, Rasaawala Khaman, Cold coco and Surti Chinese. Surti cuisine is not as sweet as other Gujarati food, and is quite spicy. Suratis converge at river Tapi’s banks to eat Ponk, a roasted cereal that is available only in this part of the world.