para (Bengali)

{{Short description|Bengali word}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}

{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}

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Para is a Bengali word ({{lang|bn|পাড়া}}) which means a neighbourhood or locality, usually characterised by a strong sense of community.{{cite news |title=Citizens get their hands dirty, revive six wells in Cubbon Park |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/citizens-get-their-hands-dirty-revive-six-wells-in-cubbon-park/articleshow/64385971.cms |work=The Times of India |date=31 May 2018}} The names of several localities in cities and villages of West Bengal, Bangladesh and Tripura end with the suffix para. Historically, paras often consisted of people of similar livelihood; for example, muchipara means a para where most of the people are Muchis (cobblers). Again, some paras were based on caste; for example, Bamunpara means a para where Brahmins live. However, with the decline of caste-based segregation in India, this form of para has lost much of its significance.

In cities, a person may refer to his neighbourhood as his para.