Valod

Valod is a small town situated midway between Bardoli and Vyara, in Tapi district in India. Valod is located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) east of Surat. National Highway 53 passes 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) away from Valod. The famous Valmiki river passes through Valod and changes its name to Purna at the next town down.

Valod is known from Valmiki the great writer of Ramayana, and other religious books known to the Persians. The town itself became more famous for the agricultural college based at Vedchi Vidhyapith. Most of local population comprises people from various backgrounds with majority begin Brahmins, Jains, and Muslims, including several other mixed communities. It has a women's factory most popular for its Papad production - Mahila Gruh Udyog Lijjat Papad[1], which was started in the 60s by Kiku Shah as well as another gruh udyog, Ruby Papad. Much of their livelihood depends on the earnings of this labour work carried out by the local women of Valod. Valod has 10 to 15 streets. Most common is Bazaar Street, Zaveri Street, Bhramin Street, Pichhli Faliya, Kasba Faliya, and Noorani Faliya. Kazi Faliya, Vohara Waad, which was later renamed to Police line Paar Faliya, and is now added to the town streets list including several other new areas such as Idgaah Faliya, Sundarnagar Muradnagar, Taiyyaba Park, Maria Park, Royal park, Teen Rasta, Chaar Rasta, and Amol Park. Currently, Valod is still expanding on Vedcchi Road, Buhari Road, Kanjhod Road, Bajipura Road, and Bardoli Road.

Climate

Valod has a tropical savanna climate, with moderated strongly winds by the Arabian Sea. The summer begins in early March, and lasts till June. April and May are the hottest months, with the average maximum temperature being 40 °C (104 °F). Monsoon begins in late June and the town receives about 1,000 millimetres (39 in) of rain by the end of September, with the average maximum temperature being 32 °C (90 °F) across 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 23 °C (73 °F), and occasionally little rain.

Very often heavy monsoon rains bring floods in the Valmiki Basin area. In last two decades, the town has witnessed major floods every four years, the worst being the flood in the month of August perhaps the costliest in the town's history.

Agriculture

Half the town depends on agricultural profession, primarily cultivation of vegetables such as Sugarcane, Tomatoes, and Aubergine (commonly known as Eggplant or Brinjal). As fruits, Mangoes are the only widely grown and farmed products. All agriculture products are sold every Monday, when the market day shift opens up. All stall keepers from various places sell anything, from needles to their agriculture products in this market place. Majority of livelihood is earned by selling Lijjat Pappad, Ruby Pappad, and Ami Pappad. Other foodstuffs sold in this market include - Khakhra, Mangoes, Lime Dates, etc., which form the local staple diets.

Education

Valod has an IT college and Science college located on Bardoli Road. Along with these colleges, Valod has two high schools and one Gujarati school. Majority of household members mostly have graduate level degrees. With girls continuing to receive higher education, rising numbers of local population are nowadays becoming doctors, and the number of engineering degree graduates are also increasing with each passing day.

Notable citizens

Suresh Joshi, a renowned Gujarati writer was born in Valod.

References

1. "વાલોડ તાલુકા પંચાયત" (in Gujarati). Retrieved 13 March 2016.