• Source:JND
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Puducherry is bracing for a high-stakes electoral battle as the NDA, led by the AINRC and BJP, faces off against the DMK-Congress alliance in the upcoming Assembly elections on April 9.

Also called as “French Riviera of the East", the Union Territory is now gearing up to make a pivotal political choice. With only 30 seats in play, the contest may be small in number, but the stakes are anything but low. Podicherry was one of the last colonial territories to join independent India.

But how did Pondicherry (now officially Puducherry) become a Union Territory of India? Let's delve into its history.

How Puducherry Became a Union Territory? Key Facts

Puducherry, often called the 'Quintessence of French Culture', 'India's Little France', and the 'French Riviera of the East', still carries the charm of its French colonial past. This is evident in its grand colonial mansions, tree-lined boulevards, serene promenades, as well as the French spellings on signboards, buildings, and the names of streets and public places.

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The coastal region, once known as Pondicherry, was under French rule for nearly 138 years. Even after India gained independence in 1947, Pondicherry, along with other French enclaves such as Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam, remained under French control.

The shift towards Indian control began on 1st November 1954, when administrative authority was transferred to India. However, it was only on 16th August 1962 that the French Parliament officially ratified the treaty, formally integrating Pondicherry into India.

On 1st July 1963, Puducherry was declared a Union Territory with its own legislative assembly, a historic event now commemorated every year on Foundation Day.

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Puducherry is not only unique in that it consists of four geographically separated regions Puducherry , Karaikal (both on the Tamil Nadu coast), Yanam (in Andhra Pradesh), and Mahe (in Kerala). Despite this, it operates under a unified administration, maintaining a unique blend of French and Indian heritage. It is bordered by Tamil Nadu on three sides and the Bay of Bengal to the east.

It is also worth noting that the change from Pondicherry to Puducherry was officially made in 2006, though its roots trace back to the territory’s original Tamil name.

'Puducherry' comes from the Tamil words 'Pudu' (new) and 'Cheri' (village).

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French remains an official language in Puducherry, alongside Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

 


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