Barobisha


Barobisha or Barovisha or Barabisa is a town located on the National Highway 31C, towards Assam in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal, India. It is 8 km away from the Bengal-Assam border.
Barobisha comes under the Kumargram community development block. The gram panchayats of Kumargram block/ panchayat samiti are: Chengmari, Kamakhyaguri I, Kamakhyaguri II, Khoardanga I, Khoardanga II, Kumargram, Newland, Kumargram Sankosh, Rydak, Turturi Khanda, Valka Barovisha I and Valka Barovisha II.
Barobisha is the gateway to exotic locations like Newlands Tea Garden, Rasikbil migratory bird sanctuary, Kalikhola, Geylegphug, and Phuntsholing Bhutan. The place is famous for its Marathon football league and Kali-mela. To its north lies Bhutan hills, south lies Bangladesh and east lies Assam state. Raidak and Sankosh are two rivers on the west and east sides of the place. Currently the major portion of Barobisha is getting a massive facelift as it has been demolished on 7 December 2010 due to reconstruction for the National Highway expansion project, which is almost complete.

Location

Barobisha bazar and Montala মনতলা, Howlipotty, Christian math, NWGEL Church and Laskar Para, Radhanagar and Laal School,
JNV Central Board School with full Resident, Chakchaka চকচকা & New town, Satsang mandir সৎসঙ্গ মন্দির & Dakshin rampur, Bawt-tola বটতলা and Shalbagan শালবাগান, commercial sales tax office at Assam gate & Shantibon.
The nearest railway station Jorai and nearest Hospital Laal School.

Occupation

Most of the people are farmers and the next generations rely on business like timber, fishing, vegetable, and retail clothing. Assam-Bengal Commercial/Sales Tax office used to provide a large number of jobs. But post GST regime, Jorai and it's neighbour Barobisha have witnessed massive unemployement due to the unification in taxes and abolishing of State sales Tax gate, which would otherwise serve many people a source of income. Computer learning centres, state government jobs and agriculture provide other job opportunities.

Cultural activities

Cultural activities which was started with the emergence of Natyam নাট্যম-the drama club and "Udaisree Sangha" in the 1980s and 1990s was further geared up by the "Pratyusha প্রত্যুষা Cultural Unit" with their annual drama festival. Apart from this, Dishari, Bawt-tola বটতলা, Swadhin-Bharat club, New-town, Man-tola মনতলা Friends Union Club, Chhanna Chhara Unit and Netaji Sangha নেতাজী সংঘ have also played a considerable role in this regards.
The local cable news network broadcasts a Sunday news bulletin. Local newspapers like Simanto Barta and Volka Samachar, edited by eminent literary persona the late Shantonu lahiri are reliable sources of information.

The Big 31 Feet Idol (একুশ হাত বড়কালী ঠাকুর)

It started in the year 1971 with a seven feet idol! Immediately after Laxmi Puja the construction work begins. It takes 14 days span and the active cooperation of 14 artisans. Famous cultural icon Late Manindra Pal had been involved with this idol making since the beginning. In his absence, his able sons and other prominent idol makers are involved. This Kali idol and an 11 days fair attracts huge crowd every year!

Sports initiatives

Barobisha has a strong and inspiring sports heritage, football in particular. The marathon football league held every year on the eve of Independence day witnesses a massive upsurge of spectators around the district or its neighbourhood area. However, with the advent of cricket in the 1990s, the craze for football has been reduced considerably.

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya

Central government funded boarding school Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Barobisha is located one km west of city center on NH 27, near Raidāk II river.

Tourist guide

From here one can visit forests like Chilapata, Rajabhatkhawa, Khutimari, Nimti, Tiamarighat, Dhumpara, Newlands tea garden, and Shill-Bunglow.
The following info may be helpful for tourists: