The State government is committed to converting the Banjara tandas into revenue villages in phases, Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar has said.
Mr. Ratnakar was speaking after inaugurating the Banjara Bhavan at Navile locality, on the outskirts of the city, on Tuesday.
There were 3,361 Banjara tandas in the State and all of them would soon be converted into revenue villages. The upgrading of tandas into revenue villages would enable the inhabitants to play an active role in mainstream society. Roads, drinking water, drains, streetlights and other basic amenities would be provided in the tandas, he said.
The Banjara Bhavan has been constructed by Nirmiti Kendra at a cost of Rs. 2 crore. Apart from facilitating conduct of public functions and ceremonies like marriage, the bhavan would provide the tanda residents with a platform to display their skills in cultural and traditional practices, he said.Chairperson of the Karnataka State Tanda Development Corporation Jalaja Naik, in her address, said that measures would be initiated to conserve the unique dialect and cultural heritage of the Banjara community. The corporation had been organising training sessions focussing on the distinct embroidery art of Banjara community for tanda resident at regular intervals, she said.
The programme had been organised by the Karnataka State Tanda Development Corporation, in association with the Department of Social Welfare.
Measures will be taken to conserve the unique dialect and cultural heritage of the Banjara community.
Jalaja Naik,
Chairperson,
Karnataka State Tanda Development Corporation
