How Puducherry became a Union Territory, know lesser-known facts
The transition began with a de facto transfer of power in 1954, when administrative control was handed over to India. However, it was only on August 16, 1962, that the French Parliament ratified the treaty, and Pondicherry was officially merged with India.On July 1963 1, Pondicherry was declared a Union Territory with its own legislative assembly. This historic moment is what Foundation Day commemorates.Pondicherry is unique in that it consists of four geographically separated regions -- Pondicherry, Karaikal (both on the Tamil Nadu coast), Yanam (in Andhra Pradesh), and Mahe (in Kerala). Despite this, the Union Territory operates under a unified administration and continues to preserve a rich blend of French and Indian heritage.HOW DID PONDICHERRY BECOME PUDUCHERRY?advertisementThe change from Pondicherry to Puducherry was officially made in 2006, but its roots trace back to the territory's original Tamil name.'Puducherry' comes from the Tamil words 'Pudu' (new) and 'Cheri' (village).When the French colonised the region in the late 1600s, they adapted the name to 'Pondichery', which the British later anglicised to 'Pondicherry'.After independence, the Indian government and local citizens gradually pushed to restore traditional and culturally relevant names to reflect regional identity and linguistic pride.Hence, in October 2006, the Indian Parliament passed a bill officially renaming Pondicherry to Puducherry.This change was not just symbolic -- it marked a step towards decolonisation of place names, a movement across India to reclaim indigenous cultural identities.LESSER-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT PONDICHERRYFrench is still an official language in Pondicherry along with Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.Pondicherry follows French street naming with signs in both Tamil and FrenchPodicherry is home to the famous Auroville, an international experimental township.The Sri Aurobindo Ashram attracts thousands of spiritual seekers each year.The architecture in the French Quarter reflects pure colonial charm.There are no high-rise buildings in central Puducherry due to heritage zoning.Podicherry was one of the last colonial territories to join independent India.advertisementThe name 'Puducherry' means 'new village' in Tamil – reflecting its local roots even during colonial times.It has one of the highest literacy rates in India, with over 85% of the population being literate.The town planning is based on a grid system, inspired by French urban design – rare in Indian cities.Puducherry is a favourite film-shooting destination, thanks to its European streetscapes and serene beaches.- Ends
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