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{{Short description|City in Punjab, India}}
{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=August 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Jaitu
| native_name              =
| native_name_lang         = Punjabi
| other_name               = Jaito, Gangsar Jaito
| nickname                 =
| settlement_type          = City
| image_skyline            = Gangsar Jaitu.jpg
| image_alt                = Jaitu Da Morcha
| image_caption            =
| pushpin_map              = India Punjab
| pushpin_label_position   =
| pushpin_map_alt          =
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in Punjab, India
| coordinates              = {{coord|30.450893|N|74.882898|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Faridkot district|Faridkot]]
| established_title        = <!-- Established -->
| established_date         =
| founder                  = Baba Jaitu
| named_for                =
| government_type          = State Government
| governing_body           = Congress Party
| unit_pref                = Metric
| area_footnotes           =
| area_rank                =
| area_total_km2           = 13.09
| elevation_footnotes      =
| elevation_m              =
| population_total         = 37,377
| population_as_of         = 2011
| population_rank          =
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_demonym       =
| population_footnotes     =
| demographics_type1       = Languages
| demographics1_title1     = Official
| demographics1_info1      = [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]
| timezone1                = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1              = +5:30
| postal_code_type         = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code              = [[151202]]
| area_code_type           = Telephone code
| area_code                = [[01635]]
| registration_plate       = [[PB 62]]
| website                  = http://www.jaitu.in/
| footnotes                =
}}
'''Jaitu''' (sometimes written as '''Jaito''', also known as '''Gangsar Jaitu''') is a historical city. Jaitu is a [[municipal council]] in [[Faridkot district]] in the Indian [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]. It is subdivision in [[Ferozepur]] Division. It is {{cvt|30|km}} from [[Bathinda]], {{cvt|130|km}} from [[Ludhiana]], {{cvt|150|km}}from [[Amritsar]], {{cvt|180|km}} from [[Patiala]] and {{cvt|234|km}} from [[Chandigarh]].
==Etymology==
According to some accounts, it took its name "Gangsar" from a folk story in which [[Guru Gobind Singh Ji]] visited the town and was sitting on a sand dune when he saw a saint crying. He asked the saint why he was crying to which the saint replied that he was crying because he lost his bowl in the [[Ganges]] river. After hearing his misfortune, the Guru fired off an arrow which struck the ground and opened a water source there fetching water and his lost bowl from the [[Ganges]] river. Later Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib Ji and Gurdwara Gangsar Sahib Ji  were constructed on both the sites, on the sand dune where the Guru was sitting and where lake was opened.
According to some accounts, it was a small village founded by Baba Jaitu and took its name "Jaitu" from him.
==Demographics==
{{As of|2011|alt=As of the 2001}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Jaitu had a population of 33,465. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Jaitu has an average literacy rate of 62%, lesser than the national average of 74%: male literacy is 67%, and female literacy is 56%. In Jaitu, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
==Geography==
Jaitu is in the northwestern region of India and is a part of the [[Indo-Gangetic Plain|Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains]] which in a macro regional context forms a part of great Satluj Ganga plain. The exact cartographic co-ordinates of Jaitu are {{Coord|30.450893|N|74.882898|E|}}. It has an average elevation of {{convert|201|m}}. The surrounding districts are [[Muktsar]], [[Bathinda]], [[Ferozepur]], [[Moga district|Moga]] and [[Barnala]] in Punjab and [[Sirsa district|Sirsa]] in Haryana. The boundaries of the states of [[Haryana]] & [[Rajasthan]] is also under an hour's drive from Jaitu.
It is a low-lying flat area. The surface of the district is depositional plain which was formed by alleviation by the rivers in the remote past. No river is flowing through the district, but there are some drains which flow during heavy rains and serve as natural drainage. There is a vast network of canals i.e. Bikaner, Sirhind feeder and Rajasthan Canal passes through [[Faridkot district]]. Sirhind feeder, Rajasthan Canal and Abohar Branch of Sirhind canal run through the entire length of [[Faridkot district]] in north–south and northeast–southwest  directions respectively. Sirhind Canal system has been serving the district for irrigation since long times.<ref>http://faridkot.gov.in</ref>
==Climate==
{{climate chart
|Jaitu
|5|14|0
|6|19|27
|9|19|51
|9|24|0
|22|27|0
|22|24|12
|21|24|78
|18|25|51
|21|30|72
|17|27|0
|13|20|5
|8|18|15
|source = World Weather Online<ref name="WWO">{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Jaito-weather-averages/Punjab/IN.aspx|title = Jaito Monthly Climate Averages}}</ref>
|float=right
|clear=
}}
Jaitu's climate correspond to semi arid with high variation between summer and winter temperatures. Average annual rainfall is in a range of {{cvt|20 to 40|mm}}. Summer temperatures can be as high as {{cvt|45|°C}}; and winter temperatures as low as {{cvt|5|°C}}. The weather is generally dry but will be highly humid from mid May to end of August due to farmers irrigating the fields. There is no meteorological observatory in the district. Some rainfall occurs during the pre-monsoon months, mostly in the form of thunder-showers and in the cold season. The skies are mostly clear or lightly clouded during the whole year.  Winds are generally light in the area, and are northerly to north-westerly, at times south-easterly, throughout the year. But, during the summer and monsoon seasons winds from directions between north-east and south-east blow on many days. The climate is mainly dry, characterized by a very hot summer, a short rainy season and a bracing winter. The year may be divided into four seasons.
Summer (April to mid-July): The Temperatures increase rapidly beginning with the end of March till June. This is followed by the summer season which lasts up to about mid of July. June is generally the hottest month, with the mean daily minimum temperature about 41 degree Celsius and the mean daily minimum about 26.5 degree Celsius. It is intensely hot during the summer, and the dust laden winds which blow, especially in the sandy parts, are very trying. The maximum temperature may go beyond 47 degree Celsius on individual days. Occasional thunderstorms and more frequently dust storms occur during the hot season.
Rainy (mid-July to mid-September): Rainfall is primarily from the south-west, due to the monsoon, and lasts from mid-July to mid-September. The period from July to the middle of September constitutes the south-west monsoon season. With the onset of the monsoon by about the end of June or early July, there is an appreciable drop in the day temperature. However, during breaks in the monsoon during latter part of July and in August the weather becomes oppressive due to increase in day temperatures. The average annual rainfall in the district is {{cvt|433|mm}}. about 71 percent of the annual rainfall in the district is received during the monsoon months July to September, July/August being the rainiest months. Rain during the monsoon season is also sometimes accompanied with thunder. Skies are moderately clouded during the monsoon season.
Post-Monsoon (mid-September to October): The later half of September and October is the post-monsoon or transition period. By about the second week of September, when the monsoon withdraws from the area, both day and night temperatures begin to decrease. The fall in the night temperatures even in October is much more than that in the day temperatures.
Winter (November to March): The cold season is from November to March. After October both the day and night temperatures decrease rapidly till January which is the coldest month. The mean daily maximum temperatures in January is about 20 degree Celsius and the mean daily minimum about 4.5 degree Celsius. In the cold season the district is affected by cold waves in the wake of passing western disturbances and the minimum temperature occasionally drops down to about a degree or two below the freezing point of water. Fog occurs occasionally in the cold season. Occasional thunderstorms occur during the cold season. Skies are moderately clouded for short spells of a day or two during cold season in association with the passing western disturbances.
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Jaitu
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|temperature colour = pastel
|Jan high C = 14
|Feb high C = 19
|Mar high C = 19
|Apr high C = 24
|May high C = 27
|Jun high C = 24
|Jul high C = 24
|Aug high C = 25
|Sep high C = 30
|Oct high C = 27
|Nov high C = 20
|Dec high C = 18
|Jan low C = 5
|Feb low C = 6
|Mar low C = 6
|Apr low C = 9
|May low C = 22
|Jun low C = 22
|Jul low C = 21
|Aug low C = 18
|Sep low C = 21
|Oct low C = 17
|Nov low C = 13
|Dec low C = 8
| Jan rain mm  = 0
| Feb rain mm  = 27
| Mar rain mm  = 51
| Apr rain mm  = 0
| May rain mm  = 0
| Jun rain mm  = 12
| Jul rain mm  = 78
| Aug rain mm  = 51
| Sep rain mm  = 72
| Oct rain mm  = 0
| Nov rain mm  = 5
| Dec rain mm  = 5
| year rain mm =
|Jan rain days = 3
|Feb rain days = 7
|Mar rain days= 12
|Apr rain days = 4
|May rain days = 0
|Jun rain days = 5
|Jul rain days = 13
|Aug rain days = 6
|Sep rain days = 5
|Oct rain days = 2
|Nov rain days = 2
|Dec rain days = 5
|source = World Weather Online<ref name="WWO"/>
|date=May 2012}}
==Economy==
Jaitu's main economy is agriculture. It is known for its ''mandis'' which is the local word for market, they are famous for wheat and paddy trade. There are different processing industrial units. There are around 30 rice mills and 3 cotton factories. There are some timber saw mills also.
==Environment and Health==
A South African Board Certified Candidate Clinical Metal Toxicologist, Carin Smit, visiting [[Faridkot, Punjab|Faridkot]] city in [[Punjab, India]], instrumental in having hair and urine samples taken (2008/9) of 149/53 children respectively, who affected with [[congenital disorder|birth abnormalities]] including physical deformities, neurological and mental disorders. These samples were shipped to Microtrace Mineral Lab, Germany.
At the onset of the action research project, it was expected that heavy metal / chemistry toxicity might be implicated as reasons why these children were so badly affected.  Surprisingly, high levels of uranium were found in 88% of the samples, and in the case of one child, the levels were more than 60 times the maximum safe limit.<ref name="fa">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-02/chandigarh/28017011_1_baba-farid-centre-german-laboratory-uranium|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811072932/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-02/chandigarh/28017011_1_baba-farid-centre-german-laboratory-uranium|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2011|title=Uranium deforms kids in Faridkot|date=2 April 2009|first1=Priya|work=[[The Times of India]]|last1=Yadav}}</ref><ref name="bc">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7979022.stm|title=Punjab disability 'uranium link'|date=2 April 2009|publisher=BBC News|first=Asit|last=Jolly}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/medicine-and-research/groundwater-contaminated-punjab-battles-uranium-curse/article3635131.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Groundwater contaminated, Punjab battles uranium curse | date=2012-07-13}}</ref>
A study, carried out amongst mentally retarded children in the [[Malwa (Punjab)|Malwa]] region of Punjab, revealed 87% of children below 12 years and 82% beyond that age having uranium levels high enough to cause diseases, also uranium levels in samples of three kids from [[Kotkapura]] and Faridkot were  62, 44 and 27 times higher than normal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-06-14/chandigarh/28284808_1_uranium-traces-baba-farid-centre-special-kids|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811072937/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-06-14/chandigarh/28284808_1_uranium-traces-baba-farid-centre-special-kids|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2011|title=Uranium levels 62 times higher than normal|date=14 June 2010 |first1=Balwant|work=[[The Times of India]]|last1=Garg}}</ref><ref name="tr">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-06-15/india/28290766_1_germany-s-microtrace-mineral-lab-malwa-region-uranium-in-hair-samples|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811072947/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-06-15/india/28290766_1_germany-s-microtrace-mineral-lab-malwa-region-uranium-in-hair-samples|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2011|title='Anti-pollution laws only on paper in Punjab'|date=15 June 2010|first1=Balwant|work=[[The Times of India]]|last1=Garg}}</ref>
An investigation carried out ''[[The Observer]]'' newspaper, in 2009, revealed the possible that cause of contamination of soil and ground water in [[Malwa (Punjab)|Malwa]] region of Punjab, to be the [[fly ash]] from coal burnt at [[thermal power]] plants, which contains high levels of [[uranium]] and [[Bottom ash|ash]] as the region has state's two biggest [[coal-fired power station]]s.
Unscientific farming practices, that emerged after the introduction of [[Green Revolution]], are also alleged to be a reason for growing incidence of not just cancer but also, high rates of spontaneous abortions, reproductive ailments, genetic deformities, [[anaemia]], [[diarrhoea]], vomiting, [[Skeletal fluorosis|fluorosis]] and a host of skin ailments including rashes and boils.
A 2007 epidemiological study found that the surface waters of [[Malwa (Punjab)|Malwa region]] are contaminated with [[arsenic]], [[cadmium]], [[chromium]], [[selenium]] and [[mercury (element)|mercury]] primarily due to the discharge of untreated waste water from surrounding industries. With increasing poisoning of the soil, the region once hailed as the home to the [[Green Revolution in India|Green revolution]], now due to excessive use of chemical fertilizer, is being termed the "Other [[Bhopal tragedy|Bhopal]]", and "even credit-takers of the Revolution have begun to admit they had been wrong, now that they see wastelands and lives lost to farmer suicides in this 'granary of India'".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/2010/06/09212410/LAWS-TO-TACKLE-OTHER-8216BH.html?atype=tp|title=Laws To Tackle Other 'Bhopals'|date=10 June 2010|work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]}}</ref>
Also in May 2004, at least seven persons in Jaitu, were reported to have died of gastroenteritis in the state. The numerous water samples collected from various districts had testified that people in many parts of the state have been drinking water unfit for human consumption, which is officially stated to be a major cause of gastroenteritis in Punjab. At places, the drinking water supplied by the municipal authorities had been found to be contaminated.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-05-24/chandigarh/28338964_1_water-borne-diseases-drinking-water-water-samples | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508192648/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-05-24/chandigarh/28338964_1_water-borne-diseases-drinking-water-water-samples | url-status=dead | archive-date=2013-05-08 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Malwa in gastro grip}}</ref>
== Famous Personalities ==
* Seth Ram Nath – born on 10 January 1916, at Jaitu, and was among those who did not trade their principles for personal gain. As a child, he was a witness to the famous Jaitu March in 1923. He had his early education at Jaitu, Faridkot and Moga. He was detained for two years in Nabha Central Jail for participating in the Quit India Movement in 1942. Known as a freedom fighter, he was also the inspiration behind the setting up of a high school for Harijans. A civil hospital In Jaitu called "Seth Ram Nath Civil Hospital" is also named after him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wikimapia.org/8457563/Seth-Ram-Nath-Civil-Hospital|title=Seth Ram Nath Civil Hospital - Jaitu}}</ref>
* Om Prkash Garg HE – was the Sub Divisional Magistrate (head official of a country's subdivision, responsible for maintenance of law) in 1973 of FARIDKOT. He had his early education at patiala. He was a freedom fighter for the country.
* Arshdeep singh Dhillon (Gulwant Singh) – a cyclist, he traveled 2000&nbsp;km on a cycle from Punjab to Karnataka and he is a social activist,he raised his voice on social media against fake journalists and forced them to publish true news.
* [[Gurdial Singh|Gurdial Singh Rahi]] – he is a famous novelist and was awarded President award from [[K R Narayanan]]. A street in Jaitu name Gianpeeth Maarg is also named after his name.
* [[Deepak Jaitoi]] – he was a famous [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] [[Ghazal|Ghazal-writer]] as well as songwriter. When he entered the world of writing, Ghazal writing in Punjabi was considered impossible. He accepted Punjabi Ghazal writing as a challenge and published many books.<ref name="aj">{{cite news|title = ਬਾਬਾ-ਏ-ਗ਼ਜ਼ਲ ਦੀਪਕ ਜੈਤੋਈ|author = ਮਾਨ, ਹ. ਸ.|url = http://www.ajitjalandhar.com/20120212/edit3.php|newspaper = Daily Ajit, Jalandhar|date = 12 Feb 2012|access-date = 25 March 2012|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120216041707/http://www.ajitjalandhar.com/20120212/edit3.php|archive-date = 16 February 2012}}</ref> He worked for [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] for about six decades of his life. His poems were used in various Punjabi songs with one of his poem being used recently by [[Satinder Sartaaj]] in one of his song.
* Dharamvir Singh Bhatia – he was born in [[Shujabad]] and after partition his family settled in Jaitu. He was a famous Ayurvedic physician, educationist, social worker & a very good politician. He was the man of principles. He was a very charming spiritual personality in the town. He was assassinated by terrorists on 23 December 1990 during Punjab insurgency.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/dr.dharamvirsinghbhatia/posts/240153519387431 {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref>
* [[Beant Singh (assassin)]] – bodyguard to Indira Gandhi, and was one of two who took part in her assassination in 1984.
==Transport==
The Punjab Roadways (Punbus) and PRTC and other Private Companies buses connects this city to other major cities of Punjab like [[Amritsar]], [[Chandigarh]], [[Ludhiana]], [[Jallandhar]], [[Patiala]], [[Bathinda]] among others.
Jaitu Railway Station lies in the [[Northern Railway zone]] of the [[Indian Railways]] network. Scheduled trains connect Jaitu to [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Bathinda]], [[Jammu]], [[Jaipur]], [[Ferozpur]] and [[Faridkot, Punjab|Faridkot]] among other cities.
[[Bathinda Airport]] is the nearest domestic airport (around 35 kilometers) to catch flights to various major cities of India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130513/battrib.htm#1|title = The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - BATHINDA TRIBUNE}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-29/india/38903050_1_sukhbir-badal-adampur-army-airport-sahnewal-airport | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928093938/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-29/india/38903050_1_sukhbir-badal-adampur-army-airport-sahnewal-airport | url-status=dead | archive-date=2013-09-28 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Land-locked Punjab to hop onto Boeings: Sukhbir Badal}}</ref>
==Education==
The city has a number of both English medium and [[Vernacular]] medium schools. The city also has one girls college for graduation in Arts and Humanities and one Gov’t Co-Education College for graduation.
The institutes are:
*Punjabi University College
*The Global-e-School
*Saraswati Kanya Maha Vidyalya College (Girls)
*Punjabi University Regional & Neighbourhood Campus
*Govt. ITI College
*Govt. Sen. Sec. School (Boys)
*Govt. Sen. Sec. School (Girls)
*Govt. Primary Schools
*Saraswati Sen. Sec. School
*D.A.V. Sen. Sec. School
*Shivalik Public Sen. Sec. School
*Shivalik Kids School
*Guru Gobind Singh Ji Public School
*Guru Teg Bahadur Public School
*Amar Murti  Tagore School
*Alliance International  School
*Baba Farid Public School
*Saravhitkari Public School
*Punjab Public School
*Silver Oaks School
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Faridkot district}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Cities and towns in Faridkot district]]