The town’s schools are either run by the state government or by private organisations. Schools mainly use English or Bengali as the medium of instruction. The schools are affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), or the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education. Under the 10+2+3 plan, after completing their secondary education, students typically enroll in a school with a higher secondary facility affiliated with West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education, Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) or the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE). Students usually choose from one of three streams — liberal arts, commerce, or science, though vocational streams are also available. Upon completing the required coursework, students may enrol in general or professional degree programmed.
During the period of Moghuls, Ram Sundar Mitra had got the Laminar at Barasat town. Sankar Chakrabrorty, a commander of Pratapaditya, The king of Jessore (at present in Bangladesh), came to Barasat in 1600, and established himself in Barasat town. In 1700 AD Hazarat Ekdil Shah, the Muslim saint, started residing at Kazipara, Barasat. He was known as a social reformer. His tomb, located in Kazipara, is a pilgrimage place of Muslim community. Pratapaditya had made his way to Kolkata from Jessore and Sirajudoulla had made his way to Kolkata from Murshidabad via Barasat, which are later on converted into two National Highways.
The Zilla Parishad of North 24 Parganas came into existence on 26 June 1986 due to bifurcation of erstwhile 24 Parganas district with respect to North South divide on geographical pattern. This is the highest tire of three tire Panchayati Raj system having its head quarter at Barasat. It has six riverine Panchayat Samities in Sundarban region having saline tract on one side and a rich alluvial tracts of river Ichhamati Basin and industrial belt of Barrackpore on the other side. Its territorial jurisdiction is structured up to the International Border of Bangladesh along the eastern side.
Indigo cultivation was a major business in and around the town. The indigo merchants were known for their inhuman treatment of the farmers. Titumir, a farmer, had declared revolution against indigo merchants in Barasat. Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, Pyari Charan Sarkar, Kalikrishna Mitra were known for undertaking several social reformative actions in Barasat, including development of education, along with women education and widow marriage. In the early nineteenth century, there was a college in Barasat for the cadets who arrived from Europe for the first time to India.
The cultural diversity has increased over the years with the infiltration of more people from Bangladesh. An annual fair held in honour of a Muslim saint, Hazrat Ekdil Shah is attended by both Muslims and Hindus, since hundreds of years. Kalipuja is a very important event in Barasat. All the communities join this occasion together. Kalipuja is organized by different clubs of Barasat, some of them are KNC Regiment, Satadal Sangha, Regiment, Barasat Chapadali Truck Association, Gold Star Club RamkrishnaPally, Taki Road,etc.
Barasat Municipality was born on 1 April 1869 but up to 1882, it did not have any independent existence. Like other offices it was controlled by Magistrate Office, during that time there was no Chairman of the municipality, Magistrate was the Controller of municipality. Later on alter 1882 Barasat Municipality had got its own formation as an autonomous body and became local government. Barasat Association, a citizens organization, had help Barasat Municipality by donating land for the construction of municipal building.
The Barasat Stadium holds some matches of the Kolkata football league and also several district-level, state-level and, infrequently, national level tournaments of several games like volleyball, soccer etc. The stadium have the capacity of 22000+ with fully concreted one and two tire, 7 gates for entry and exit. There are four towers for Television Telecast with Air Conditioned Dressing Room, Press box and Official Room for Players, Media and VIP Guests
Newspapers and magazines: Some small local newspapers and magazines (Review Preview, Sabujer Abhijan etc.) are there. However the scenario is dominated by the media of Kolkata. Bengali language newspapers like Anandabazar Patrika, Aajkaal, Bartaman, Sangbad Pratidin and Ganashakti are widely circulated. Regional and national English newspapers such as The Telegraph, The Statesman, Asian Age, Hindustan Times and The Times of India are available.
The culture milieu in Barasat reflects the usual culturel characteristics of similar small towns in Bengal.The educated middle-class community continues to perpetuate the Bengali cultural manifestations like drama, recitation, classical music, songs and dances, while young Turks take a rather revolutionary stand and let out their feeling in the form of minor little magazines and socially relevant functions like health check up camps etc.
Barasat is a city in the outskirts of Kolkata, West Bengal India and is the district head quarter of the district North 24 Parganas. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority. The town is an important railway and roadway junction. Barasat is also the name of a sub-division centering the city.
During the British Raj, Company officials from Calcutta made Barasat a weekend retreat location. They had made many garden house at various places within Barasat town. Warren Hastings had made his Villa in the heart of Barasat town. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the renowned Author, was the first Indian Deputy Magistrate of this town.
As an urban setup in the vicinity of the Kolkata, the town is within the area of Greater Calcutta. Several significant roads like National Highway 34 (Krishnanagar Road leading towards North Bengal), Jessore Road (road leading to Jessore in Bangladesh via Bongaon); road leading to Basirhat etc. cross through the town.
Total Barasat municipal area divided into 29 nos. of Mouzas. Previously, there were 4 nos. of Wards and after that 18 nos. of Wards under Barasat Municipality. Later on after amalgamating surrounding Panchayets within Barasat Municipality in 1995 and then after, at present Barasat Municipality has 32 nos. of Wards.
Radio: Kolkata’s radio stations are available here. Eleven local FM stations: AIR Kolkata (FM Rainbow & FM Gold), Radio Mirchi (98.3 MHz), Red FM (93.5 MHz), Aamar FM (106.2 MHz), Gyan Vani (105.4 MHz),Fever FM(104 MHz),Radio One(94.3 MHz),Meow FM(104.8 MHz),BIG FM(92.7 MHz) and Power FM (107.8 MHz) are available.
As of 2001 India census, Barasat had a population of 231,515. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Barasat has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; 54% of the literates are male and 46% are female. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Barasat town it well connected with roads to Kolkata, North Bengal, Bangladesh and other towns of West Bengal. The two nos. of National Highways (NH 34 & NH 35) and one no of State Highway (SH 2) run through Barasat town, Barasat is also well connected by railway with Sealdah, Bongaon and Basirhat.
From 1834 to 1861, Barasat was the seat of a joint-magistrate, known as “Barasat District”. In 1861, the joint magistracy was abolished, and the Barasat District became a sub-division of the Twenty-four Parganas district. At present it is the district headquarter of North 24 Parganas district.
Football (soccer) is the passion of the citizens. Cricket is also played with great fanfare. Besides Indian sports like Kabbadi, kho-kho are also played. Barasat is the home of Barasat Euro Musketeers, a team in the Premier League Soccer of West Bengal.
Population of Barasat–I CD Block was 249,625 according to 2001 census, with a population density of 2,223 persons per square km. Barasat–II CD Block had a population of 239,699 in 2001 census, with a population density of 1,480 persons per square km.
The North 24 Parganas District Hospital is located in Barasat. Barasat Cancer Research and Welfare Center is a treatment as well as research facility for cancer patients.Barasat also has several privately operated nursing homes and hospital.