Ongole, is a large town and a municipality in Prakasam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Prakasam District. Ongole is famous for its Ongole breed of oxen[1] which are considered virile and of superior stock. This is one of the major Zebu cattle breeds in the world. Ongole and Prakasam region is a major centre for Tobacco production and Aqua culture in India. History The town's history goes back to the era of the Mauryas, and Satavahanas who ruled most of present day Andhra Pradesh. A few inscriptions dating to the Satavahana period were found in a village called Chinna Ganjam, near Ongole. After the Satavahanas, this place came into the limelight again during the Kakatiya dynasty. At that time the nearby towns of Motupalli Voda Revu and Kottapatnam served as major seaports. Climate Winter: December To February Summer: March to June South West Monsoons - July to September North East Monsoons - October to November Rain storms and cyclones are common in the region during the rainy season, which starts with the monsoons in early June. The cyclones could occur any time of the year, but commonly between August and November. Demographics As of 2001[update] India census,[3] Ongole had a population of 149,589. Ongole has grown in its size to a great extent in the last decade. Currently the city is estimated to have population of around 3,50,000. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Ongole has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 66%. In Ongole, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age. Economy The commerce of Ongole was largely started by agricultural families within Prakasam district. Ongole is one of the major centres for tobacco trading in Andhra Pradesh. During 72's and 80's many enterprises were setup in small scale manufacturing like shoes, paints, PVC, pharmaceuticals etc. But, majority of these had their run and did not survive their competitors from other parts of Andhra Pradesh or out of state. This happened despite the fact that some of these companies are early adopters/manufacturers of the products in the coastal districts of AP. One reason could be that capital/human resources availability as well as lack of business leadership availability for these entrepreneurs. 80's and 90's saw proliferation of hospitals and educational institutions (Secondary School, Intermediate). The later 90's saw the advent of Granite Industry. The availability of Black Galaxy granite nearby has resulted in the proliferation of granite mining, stone cutting and polishing unit companies around Ongole, India. Ongole is a district headquarters of Prakasam District.Over the years it has developed into a city with good schools and colleges. Lately, the quality of education has become quite good and is comparable to that of most cities in the state. With the advent of reforms in the educational sector, a few private engineering and medical colleges have been set up in the city. Recently real estate prices have gone through the roof. In areas like Bhagyanagar prices are so high that one journalist called it the Banjara hills of coastal Andhra. Parliament constituency Ongole is a Parliament constituency in Andhra Pradesh. List of Elected Members:[4] First - 1952-57 Pisupati Venkata Raghavaiah (CPI) Second - 1957-62 R. Narapa Reddy (Congress) Third - 1962-67 M. N. Swamy (CPI) Fourth - 1967-71 K. Jaggaiah (Congress) Fifth - 1971-77 P. Ankineedu Prasada Rao (Congress) Sixth - 1977-80 P. V. Reddy (Congress) Seventh - 1980-84 P. V. Reddy (Congress) Eighth - 1984-89 Bezawada Papi Reddy (TDP) Ninth - 1989-91 Rajmohan Mekapati Reddy (Congress) Tenth - 1991-96 Magunta Subbaramma Reddy (Congress) Eleventh - 1996-98 Magunta Parvathi Subbaramma Reddy (Congress) Twelfth - 1998-99 Magunta Parvathi Subbaramma Reddy (Congress) Thirteenth - 1999-04 Karnam Balarama Krishna Murthy (TDP) Fourteenth - 2004-- 2009- Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy (Congress) Assembly Constituency Ongole is an assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh. List of Elected Members:[5] 1955 - Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu and Telluri Jiyyardas.[6] 1962 - Bollineni Venkata Lakshmi Narayana 1967 - C.R. Reddy 1972 and 1978 - Srungarapu Jeevaratnam Naidu 1983 and 1985 - Panugupati Koteswara Rao 1989 - Bachala Balaiah 1994 - Edara Hari Babu 1999 - 2004 - Balineni Srinivasa Reddy 2004 - Present - Balineni Srinivasa Reddy Well known people from Ongole Tanguturi Prakasam Mr.Pullela Gopichand,badminton champion Dr.Kande Prasad Rao, Author of Laws, Secretary, Christian Law Review Committee, 9395521877 Dr.Ganjam Raghavachari,philanthropist and being the first MBBS Doctorof the town he served society for more than 50 years. He was the founder secretary of CSR Sarma college and served the college for 40 years. shri Yeddu Bhushanam, First Indian Head master of Municipal High school Dr. Jacob Zakariah, Medical doctor/Missionary served society for nearly six decades Dr. Clough, evangilical missionary, transformed millions of lives Mr. Y. Paul, veteran Olympic gold medallist, Commonwealth games gold medallist Mr. Magunta Subbarami Reddy, Memb. of Parliament, visionary, Philanthropist,transformed ongole town Dr.P.NagamalleswaraRao, Authored (1) "Onomastics", (Gave etymologies first to the "ONGOLE"& other placenames of the district),(2)Aarya,(3)Avadhanam & Many articles in Local,National,& International Magazines, Life Member of "International committee of onomastic sciences,Belguim, Received many awards , Hobbies-Research in language&literature,Astronomy,Astrology,Preparation of yearly Almanac,TV programs.Radiotalks,Literary speeches,Journalism, Mobile:9949971261 Colleges & Schools In Prakasam district a famous engineering college is 'Prakasam Engineering College' established by Rangamannar Iskala, Ramaiah K and Subbaiah. And they are establishing a new engineering colleges Prakasam Group on Institutions and Gandhi Group on Institutions ( Engineering, MCA and MBA ) in ONGOLE situated around 40 acres of land on National Highway for the academic year 2009-2010. Some of the major schools of Ongole(in alphabetic order) are: Vikrama Vidyala Public School Narayana Public School Aditya public school Donepudi Raghava Rao Memorial High School (Formerly known as Municipal High School) HCM high school Montessori public school Ongole public school Pisupati Venkata Rangarao Municipal High School (PVR High School) Samavesam high school Sree Vivekananda Vidya Vihar Sivani public school St.Xavier's high school Sunshine public school Krishna Memorial High School Ramakrishna English medium school A.B.M.Junior College&Highschool D A Govt Polytechnic PRAKASAM GROUP OF INSTITUIONS ( ENGINEERING, MCA & MBA) GANDHI GROUP OF INSTITUIONS ( ENGINEERING, MCA & MBA) Rao & Naidu Engineering College QIS Engineering College SSN JUNIOR College ONGOLE 233911 SRI PRATIBHA JUNIOR College ONGOLE 233928, 220701, 231659 SRI VANI JUNIOR College ONGOLE 235181,238977,238200, 238201 MONTESSORI JR.COLLEGE ONGOLE SRI GOVINDAMBICA PARAMESWARI JR.COLLEGE ONGOLE C.S.R. SARMA COLLEGE ONGOLE V.V. & M JR.COLLEGE ONGOLE NAGARJUNA JR.COLLEGE ONGOLE NAGARJUNA JR.COLLEGE(G) ONGOLE UMA MAHESWARA JR.COLLEGE ONGOLE N.K.R.M.JR.COLLEGE ONGOLE VENUS JR.COLLEGE ONGOLE H.C.M.JR.COLLEGE FOR GIRLS ONGOLE S.B.L. & A.M.JR.COLLEGE ONGOLE A.K.V.K.JR.COLLEGE ONGOLE