Ranjit Naik
Encyclopedia
Shri Ranjit Poojari Naik (22 October 1933 – 30 July 2004) was a renowned Architect and Social Worker, who helped Mumbai
slum dwellers, and particularly the Banjara
people.
, Andhra Pradesh
State (India).
He studied up to S.S.C. in Govt. High School, Penukonda, Dist. Anantapur (A.P), as a boarder of Shri Thakkar Bapa Lambadi / Sugali Free Hostel, founded by Late Shri Bhagat Champla Naik (up to 1952). He did his Intermediate in science at Andhra Christian College, Guntur (A.P) and Bachelor in Architecture (B. Arch.) from J.J. College of Architecture, University of Mumbai
in the year 1964.
In the year 1962 he married Chandrakala Naik, a Teacher, Social Worker and First Banjara lady Graduate in Maharashtra
State. She helped him in all his socio-economic and cultural activities of All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS) and many other organizations for the upliftment of Banjara Community.
After an active career as an architect and social worker, with unfulfilled dream of building Sant Shri Sevalal Maharaj Temple, at Sevagad, Andhra Pradesh, Shri Ranjit Naik, an outstanding human being and a very kind gentleman died on 30 July 2004, in Mumbai due to brain haemorrhage.
He started his social work since age of 19, i.e. 1952 for the Welfare of Banjaras (Nomadic Tribes/Gypsies of India), Scheduled Tribes and other Weaker Sections of the country. He appeared before Kalelkar Commission
, in 1953 along with his father, Shri Bhagat Champla Naik and maternal uncle Comrade Shri S.Ghane Naik, to plead before the said committee for the inclusion of Sugalis/ Lambadis in the list of Scheduled Tribes, in the Constitution of India, in the then Madras Province and succeeded in getting Lambadis / Sugalis included in the list of Scheduled Tribes of the Constitution of India, in the year 1954.
He organized and fully participated in the Conference of Erukula – Enandi – Lambadi Tribal Conference, in 1953, at Guntur
, under the leadership of Late Shri Vennalakanti Raghavaiah and Shri V. Gopalrao Naik, in which conference Shri B. N. Datar, Hon’ble Home Minister, Govt. of India, was Chief Guest. He came in contact in 1957 with Late Shri V.P. Naik, the then Agriculture and Revenue Minister of Maharashtra State (later on who became Chief Minister of Maharashtra State) and many prominent leaders of All India Banjara Seva Sangh. Since then, Ranjit Naik was thoroughly involved in All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS) activities and got elected as member of its National Executive Committee.
He was elected as an Executive Committee and High Power Committee Member, at National level for All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS), in the Fourth All India Banjara Seva Sangh Conference, held at Gulbarga
(Karnataka State), in 1966. He successfully organised All India Banjara Sevak Shibir in Rakab Ganj Gurudwara, New Delhi, in 1966 (All Banjara workers training camp) along with his other colleagues, under the leadership of Late Shri V. P. Naik and Shri Ramsingh Bhanawat, Shri Vasramji Patil where Smt. Indira Gandhi
, the then Prime Minister of India was Chief Guest and Late Shri Ashok Mehta (the then Social Welfare Minister, Govt. of India), Late Shri Y. B. Chavan (the then Defence Minister), Shri K. Brahmanand Reddy (the then C.M. of A.P) were guest of honour.
He was Convenor of the All India Banjara Study Team, which compiled a comprehensive study on socio-economic-educational and political position of Banjaras of all over India and the same was published by Ranjit Naik in 1969 and submitted to The Parliamentary Joint Select Committee, Chaired by Shri Anilkumar Chanda, on S.C. and S.T. Amendment Bill No. 119 of 1966. This report became an authentic document for references about Banjaras of the country. He was Member of the drafting committee of The All India Banjara Seva Sangh’s Constitution, to draft a progressive and ideal Constitution for the Sangh. He was elected as Vice President of the All India Banjara Seva Sangh, in 1985, at the 6th All India Banjara Seva Sangh Conference, at Aurangabad (Maharashtra State). Later on he was unanimously elected as President of All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS) on 10.05.1998, in its National Executive Committee meeting, which was chaired by Late Shri Sudhakarrao Naik, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra State and Ex. Governor of H.P. Since then he lead, effectively and successfully Banjaras of the country, brought a social revolution in the country’s Banjaras, did many historical and landmark changes in the organization of All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS).
He was Founding President of Sant Shree Sevadas Maharaj Memorial Trust – Sevagad, from 2001 until his death. He was elected as Working President of “All India De-Notified-Nomadic Tribes Association”, a confederation of 200 Ex-Criminal Tribes of India.
He had organized a mammoth rally of Banjaras and Tribals for the Golden Jubilee Celebration of All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS) on 31 January 2004, at Digras, Yavatmal District, where about Six to Seven lakh Banjara people gathered and Smt. Soniaji Gandhi, the then Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and President of AICC was Chief Guest. He had also organized a huge gathering of Banjaras and other devotees of Sant Shri Sevalal Maharaj, on 15.02.2004, at Sevagad, Mandal – Gooty, Anantapur District (A.P) for the 265th Janmotsav Celebration of Banjaras’ great and most adored Saint, Shri Sevalal Maharaj, where Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Gurudev of the “Art of Living” foundation Bangalore, performed Mahabhog ceremony to Sevalal Maharaj and gave Satsang to lakhs of Devotees gathered.
Right from the inception as a professional Architect, Shri Ranjit Naik had devotedly worked for giving shelter to Nomadic and Dalit
people, for Slum Improvement, Slum Upgradation, Slum Redevelopment and Rehabilitation programmes.
He founded People’s Participation Programme (PPP) in 1980, an NGO working for weaker section housing, and Mumbai’s slum amelioration programmes. Under this banner many weaker sections / slum people were rehabilitated in Mumbai, with Slum Redevelopment / Rehabilitation Schemes. He built a modern and a beautiful colony for Banjaras in Mumbai, called Naik Nagar, Kurla (E), in 1972. He pioneered a massive scheme in Mumbai’s Slum Reconstruction and Rehabilitation programme and Shelter for Urban poor. In this programme he rehabilitated 3000 slum families by giving free and pucca houses to them. Built first of its kind Tanner’s Colony, in Dharavi, Mumbai, for rehabilitating 500 tanner’s families. Rehabilitation of 550 building construction labour, first of its kind, by giving them free and regular houses on ownership basis in a colony called “Roma Banjara Tanda Co-op. Housing Society Ltd., at Mankhurd, Mumbai.
Written and published two editions, in English and Marathi languages on ‘HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SLUM REDEVELOPMENT SCHEMES WITH 2.5 F.S.I.’.
Presented a paper titled as “AN UNIQUE URBAN MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE HUMAN SETTLEMENT PROGRAMME OF PROVIDING 1.2 MILLION FREE HOUSES TO MUMBAI’S SLUM PEOPLE (INDIA)” – in the preparatory committee meeting, Habitat-II, U.N.O., New York, in the year 1996.
Presented a paper in the World City Summit of UN, Habitat - II, at Istanbul - Turkey, - titled as “Mumbai: (MUMBAI) TODAY’S SOLUTION FOR A HEALTHY CITY IS SLUM REDEVELOPMENT AND REHABILITATION” – in the year 1996.
Written many articles on housing and slum related problems, which have appeared in leading Indian newspapers and magazines.
Ranjit Naik was the son of Shri P. Champla Naik, born in the Naginayanichervu Tanda village, Mandal, Somandepalli, District, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh State (India).
He studied up to S.S.C. in Govt. High School, Penukonda, Dist. Anantapur (A.P), as a boarder of Shri Thakkar Bapa Lambadi / Sugali Free Hostel, founded by Late Shri Bhagat Champla Naik (up to 1952). He did his Intermediate in science at Andhra Christian College, Guntur (A.P) and Bachelor in Architecture (B. Arch.) from J.J. College of Architecture, University of Mumbai in the year 1964.
In the year 1962 he married Chandrakala Naik, a Teacher, Social Worker and First Banjara lady Graduate in Maharashtra State. She helped him in all his socio-economic and cultural activities of All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS) and many other organizations for the upliftment of Banjara Community.
After an active career as an architect and social worker, with unfulfilled dream of building Sant Shri Sevalal Maharaj Temple, at Sevagad, Andhra Pradesh, Shri Ranjit Naik, an outstanding human being and a very kind gentleman died on 30 July 2004, in Mumbai due to brain haemorrhage.
a) “Architecture for the welfare of urban poor and for environmental upgradation of Mega/Big Cities of India: An experimentation in Mumbai – A challenge to the profession” – 30th Convention of All India Institute of Architects (A.I.I.A), Orissa – December – 1996.
b) Lecture for M.H.A.D.A’s Professional Training Centre at Pune, on Slum Redevelopment (S.R.D) Schemes of Mumbai.
c) “Slum Rehabilitation Scheme is the best solution for all ills, environmental upgradation and overall development of Mumbai” – (Speech delivered by Mr. Ranjit Naik in the Seminar on Housing Organised Legal Aid Forum, at Y.B. Chavan Hall on 07.12.1996).
d) “Slum Redevelopment / Rehabilitation Schemes, A Retrospection” – (Speech delivered by Mr. Ranjit Naik, in the meeting of Federation of Accommodation Industry of India, (Mumbai – 21.08.1997).
e) “Development Controls and Private Sector”. This lecture was delivered in the refresher course of “Integrated Local Development”, at Ahmedabad, on 10 December 1997, organized by Instituted of Housing Development Studies, Rotterdam, Alumni of Institute of Urban Development Studies, Human Settlement Management Institute, New Delhi.
, when Shri Gyani Zail Singh was Chief Guest. He led a delegation of The All India Banjara Seva Sangh to Geneva
in 1977, to participate in The World Roma (Gypsies) Conference. He was Presidium Member of The World Romano Ekipe (World Roma / Gypsy Union) between 1977 and 1980. Again he participated in 2nd International Roma (Gypsy) Festival in October 1983, at Chandigarh (India), where Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India was Chief Guest and Shri Rajiv Gandhi was guest of honour.
Shri Ranjit Naik published number of papers and articles on Roma (Gypsy) matters and on Banjaras, which has appeared in many India’s leading newspapers as well as foreign newspapers and periodicals.
As recognition of his works in slums, he was nominated to the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority’s (BMRDA) Task Force for Mumbai Urban Transport Programme (BUTP-II), as a panel member. He initiated dialogue with USAID’s Rural Housing and Urban Development Organisation (RHUDO) to take up a massive programme of SRD & R in Mumbai. As recognition of his works USAID sponsored him to participate in Asian Regional Conference on Housing, at Jakarta. He was nominated to the panel of “MUMBAI FIRST” an organization based on the lines of “LONDON FIRST” as a representative of an NGO specializing in SRD & R Schemes.
Was Awarded “Great Son of the Soil Millennium Award” by All India Conference of Intellectuals, in recognition of distinguished and commendable services to the nation on 30 December 2002.
Invited to present a paper on Asian Regional Policy Consultation (Habitat II
of the United Nations
) on ‘Access to Land and Security of Tenure for Sustainable Development’, Jakarta (Indonesia), 1995. Invited at the Preparatory Committee of United Nation’s Human Settlement Conference (Habitat-II), New York, 1996. Invited to World City Summit at Istanbul
, June 1996. He was nominated as one of the 100 ‘Best Practices in in the world and awarded “UNCHS 1998 Awards for Excellence in improving Living Environment’ by United Nation’s Habitat-II. This firm has been recognized and awarded a plaque by the Urban Development Ministry of India on achieving this honour.
He was awarded “Banjara Sahitya Ratna” by Banjara Language Research Institute, Hyderabad / Nagpur, on 17 August 2003, at Nagpur, Maharashtra and also awarded “Banjara Ratna Puraskar” by Banjara Kranti Dal, on 5 January 2004 at Azad Maidan, Mumbai.
founder member of All India Banjara Seva Sangh
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
slum dwellers, and particularly the Banjara
Banjara
The Banjara are a class of usually described as nomadic people from the Indian state of Rajasthan, North-West Gujarat, and Western Madhya Pradesh and Eastern Sindh province of pre-independence Pakistan...
people.
Background
Ranjit Naik was the son of Shri P. Champla Naik, born in the Naginayanichervu Tanda village, Mandal, Somandepalli, District, AnantapurAnantapur district
Anantapur District , ) is one of the 23 districts in Andhra Pradesh, India. The district headquarters is Anantapur City. It is currently a part of the Red Corridor.- Geography :...
, Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
State (India).
He studied up to S.S.C. in Govt. High School, Penukonda, Dist. Anantapur (A.P), as a boarder of Shri Thakkar Bapa Lambadi / Sugali Free Hostel, founded by Late Shri Bhagat Champla Naik (up to 1952). He did his Intermediate in science at Andhra Christian College, Guntur (A.P) and Bachelor in Architecture (B. Arch.) from J.J. College of Architecture, University of Mumbai
University of Mumbai
The University of Mumbai , is a state university located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It was known as the University of Bombay until 1996 when the city of Bombay was renamed as Mumbai. The affiliated colleges of the university are spread throughout the city of Mumbai and four coastal districts in...
in the year 1964.
In the year 1962 he married Chandrakala Naik, a Teacher, Social Worker and First Banjara lady Graduate in Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
State. She helped him in all his socio-economic and cultural activities of All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS) and many other organizations for the upliftment of Banjara Community.
After an active career as an architect and social worker, with unfulfilled dream of building Sant Shri Sevalal Maharaj Temple, at Sevagad, Andhra Pradesh, Shri Ranjit Naik, an outstanding human being and a very kind gentleman died on 30 July 2004, in Mumbai due to brain haemorrhage.
Career
He was the Member of Indian Institute of Architects (AIIA) and Practicing Engineers, Architects and Town Planners Association (PEATA – Mumbai) and registered in the Council of Architecture as a Practicing Architect (under Govt. of India Act – 1972 for the Registration of Architects). He practiced as an Architect in Mumbai from 1964 until his death.He started his social work since age of 19, i.e. 1952 for the Welfare of Banjaras (Nomadic Tribes/Gypsies of India), Scheduled Tribes and other Weaker Sections of the country. He appeared before Kalelkar Commission
Kalelkar Commission
First Backward Classes Commission, 1955 or the Kaka Kalelkar CommissionAdhering to Article 340 of the Constitution of India, the First Backward Classes Commission was set up by a presidential order on 29 January 1953 under the chairmanship of Kaka Kalelkar....
, in 1953 along with his father, Shri Bhagat Champla Naik and maternal uncle Comrade Shri S.Ghane Naik, to plead before the said committee for the inclusion of Sugalis/ Lambadis in the list of Scheduled Tribes, in the Constitution of India, in the then Madras Province and succeeded in getting Lambadis / Sugalis included in the list of Scheduled Tribes of the Constitution of India, in the year 1954.
He organized and fully participated in the Conference of Erukula – Enandi – Lambadi Tribal Conference, in 1953, at Guntur
Guntur
Guntur , is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, located to the north and west of the Bay of Bengal. It is approximately to the south of the national capital, New Delhi and south east of state capital, Hyderabad. Guntur is the fourth largest city in Andhra...
, under the leadership of Late Shri Vennalakanti Raghavaiah and Shri V. Gopalrao Naik, in which conference Shri B. N. Datar, Hon’ble Home Minister, Govt. of India, was Chief Guest. He came in contact in 1957 with Late Shri V.P. Naik, the then Agriculture and Revenue Minister of Maharashtra State (later on who became Chief Minister of Maharashtra State) and many prominent leaders of All India Banjara Seva Sangh. Since then, Ranjit Naik was thoroughly involved in All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS) activities and got elected as member of its National Executive Committee.
He was elected as an Executive Committee and High Power Committee Member, at National level for All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS), in the Fourth All India Banjara Seva Sangh Conference, held at Gulbarga
Gulbarga
Gulbarga is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of Gulbarga District. It was formerly part of Nizam's Hyderabad state...
(Karnataka State), in 1966. He successfully organised All India Banjara Sevak Shibir in Rakab Ganj Gurudwara, New Delhi, in 1966 (All Banjara workers training camp) along with his other colleagues, under the leadership of Late Shri V. P. Naik and Shri Ramsingh Bhanawat, Shri Vasramji Patil where Smt. Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
, the then Prime Minister of India was Chief Guest and Late Shri Ashok Mehta (the then Social Welfare Minister, Govt. of India), Late Shri Y. B. Chavan (the then Defence Minister), Shri K. Brahmanand Reddy (the then C.M. of A.P) were guest of honour.
He was Convenor of the All India Banjara Study Team, which compiled a comprehensive study on socio-economic-educational and political position of Banjaras of all over India and the same was published by Ranjit Naik in 1969 and submitted to The Parliamentary Joint Select Committee, Chaired by Shri Anilkumar Chanda, on S.C. and S.T. Amendment Bill No. 119 of 1966. This report became an authentic document for references about Banjaras of the country. He was Member of the drafting committee of The All India Banjara Seva Sangh’s Constitution, to draft a progressive and ideal Constitution for the Sangh. He was elected as Vice President of the All India Banjara Seva Sangh, in 1985, at the 6th All India Banjara Seva Sangh Conference, at Aurangabad (Maharashtra State). Later on he was unanimously elected as President of All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS) on 10.05.1998, in its National Executive Committee meeting, which was chaired by Late Shri Sudhakarrao Naik, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra State and Ex. Governor of H.P. Since then he lead, effectively and successfully Banjaras of the country, brought a social revolution in the country’s Banjaras, did many historical and landmark changes in the organization of All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS).
He was Founding President of Sant Shree Sevadas Maharaj Memorial Trust – Sevagad, from 2001 until his death. He was elected as Working President of “All India De-Notified-Nomadic Tribes Association”, a confederation of 200 Ex-Criminal Tribes of India.
He had organized a mammoth rally of Banjaras and Tribals for the Golden Jubilee Celebration of All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS) on 31 January 2004, at Digras, Yavatmal District, where about Six to Seven lakh Banjara people gathered and Smt. Soniaji Gandhi, the then Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and President of AICC was Chief Guest. He had also organized a huge gathering of Banjaras and other devotees of Sant Shri Sevalal Maharaj, on 15.02.2004, at Sevagad, Mandal – Gooty, Anantapur District (A.P) for the 265th Janmotsav Celebration of Banjaras’ great and most adored Saint, Shri Sevalal Maharaj, where Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Gurudev of the “Art of Living” foundation Bangalore, performed Mahabhog ceremony to Sevalal Maharaj and gave Satsang to lakhs of Devotees gathered.
Right from the inception as a professional Architect, Shri Ranjit Naik had devotedly worked for giving shelter to Nomadic and Dalit
Dalit
Dalit is a designation for a group of people traditionally regarded as Untouchable. Dalits are a mixed population, consisting of numerous castes from all over South Asia; they speak a variety of languages and practice a multitude of religions...
people, for Slum Improvement, Slum Upgradation, Slum Redevelopment and Rehabilitation programmes.
He founded People’s Participation Programme (PPP) in 1980, an NGO working for weaker section housing, and Mumbai’s slum amelioration programmes. Under this banner many weaker sections / slum people were rehabilitated in Mumbai, with Slum Redevelopment / Rehabilitation Schemes. He built a modern and a beautiful colony for Banjaras in Mumbai, called Naik Nagar, Kurla (E), in 1972. He pioneered a massive scheme in Mumbai’s Slum Reconstruction and Rehabilitation programme and Shelter for Urban poor. In this programme he rehabilitated 3000 slum families by giving free and pucca houses to them. Built first of its kind Tanner’s Colony, in Dharavi, Mumbai, for rehabilitating 500 tanner’s families. Rehabilitation of 550 building construction labour, first of its kind, by giving them free and regular houses on ownership basis in a colony called “Roma Banjara Tanda Co-op. Housing Society Ltd., at Mankhurd, Mumbai.
Publications on Mumbai Slums
Shri Ranjit Naik published the following books on Mumbai’s Slum related matters:-Written and published two editions, in English and Marathi languages on ‘HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SLUM REDEVELOPMENT SCHEMES WITH 2.5 F.S.I.’.
Presented a paper titled as “AN UNIQUE URBAN MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE HUMAN SETTLEMENT PROGRAMME OF PROVIDING 1.2 MILLION FREE HOUSES TO MUMBAI’S SLUM PEOPLE (INDIA)” – in the preparatory committee meeting, Habitat-II, U.N.O., New York, in the year 1996.
Presented a paper in the World City Summit of UN, Habitat - II, at Istanbul - Turkey, - titled as “Mumbai: (MUMBAI) TODAY’S SOLUTION FOR A HEALTHY CITY IS SLUM REDEVELOPMENT AND REHABILITATION” – in the year 1996.
Written many articles on housing and slum related problems, which have appeared in leading Indian newspapers and magazines.
Ranjit Naik was the son of Shri P. Champla Naik, born in the Naginayanichervu Tanda village, Mandal, Somandepalli, District, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh State (India).
He studied up to S.S.C. in Govt. High School, Penukonda, Dist. Anantapur (A.P), as a boarder of Shri Thakkar Bapa Lambadi / Sugali Free Hostel, founded by Late Shri Bhagat Champla Naik (up to 1952). He did his Intermediate in science at Andhra Christian College, Guntur (A.P) and Bachelor in Architecture (B. Arch.) from J.J. College of Architecture, University of Mumbai in the year 1964.
In the year 1962 he married Chandrakala Naik, a Teacher, Social Worker and First Banjara lady Graduate in Maharashtra State. She helped him in all his socio-economic and cultural activities of All India Banjara Seva Sangh (AIBSS) and many other organizations for the upliftment of Banjara Community.
After an active career as an architect and social worker, with unfulfilled dream of building Sant Shri Sevalal Maharaj Temple, at Sevagad, Andhra Pradesh, Shri Ranjit Naik, an outstanding human being and a very kind gentleman died on 30 July 2004, in Mumbai due to brain haemorrhage.
Lectures
Shri Ranjit Naik lectured in the following important Seminars, Forums & Public Meetings and particularly in Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority’s (MHADA’s) Training Centre, at Pune.a) “Architecture for the welfare of urban poor and for environmental upgradation of Mega/Big Cities of India: An experimentation in Mumbai – A challenge to the profession” – 30th Convention of All India Institute of Architects (A.I.I.A), Orissa – December – 1996.
b) Lecture for M.H.A.D.A’s Professional Training Centre at Pune, on Slum Redevelopment (S.R.D) Schemes of Mumbai.
c) “Slum Rehabilitation Scheme is the best solution for all ills, environmental upgradation and overall development of Mumbai” – (Speech delivered by Mr. Ranjit Naik in the Seminar on Housing Organised Legal Aid Forum, at Y.B. Chavan Hall on 07.12.1996).
d) “Slum Redevelopment / Rehabilitation Schemes, A Retrospection” – (Speech delivered by Mr. Ranjit Naik, in the meeting of Federation of Accommodation Industry of India, (Mumbai – 21.08.1997).
e) “Development Controls and Private Sector”. This lecture was delivered in the refresher course of “Integrated Local Development”, at Ahmedabad, on 10 December 1997, organized by Instituted of Housing Development Studies, Rotterdam, Alumni of Institute of Urban Development Studies, Human Settlement Management Institute, New Delhi.
Work with Gypsies
He was instrumental in bringing into contact, for the first time, the Indian Banjaras (Gypsies of India) with their counterpart, Roma (Gypsy) of the World. He was specially invited to participate in the First International Roma (Gypsy) Festival in March 1976, at ChandigarhChandigarh
Chandigarh is a union territory of India that serves as the capital of two states, Haryana and Punjab. The name Chandigarh translates as "The Fort of Chandi". The name is from an ancient temple called Chandi Mandir, devoted to the Hindu goddess Chandi, in the city...
, when Shri Gyani Zail Singh was Chief Guest. He led a delegation of The All India Banjara Seva Sangh to Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
in 1977, to participate in The World Roma (Gypsies) Conference. He was Presidium Member of The World Romano Ekipe (World Roma / Gypsy Union) between 1977 and 1980. Again he participated in 2nd International Roma (Gypsy) Festival in October 1983, at Chandigarh (India), where Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India was Chief Guest and Shri Rajiv Gandhi was guest of honour.
Shri Ranjit Naik published number of papers and articles on Roma (Gypsy) matters and on Banjaras, which has appeared in many India’s leading newspapers as well as foreign newspapers and periodicals.
Awards
Shri Ranjit Naik was awarded the Inaugural Trophy of “Accommodation Times” a fortnightly specializing in the building and accommodation industry for his Slum Redevelopments works.As recognition of his works in slums, he was nominated to the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority’s (BMRDA) Task Force for Mumbai Urban Transport Programme (BUTP-II), as a panel member. He initiated dialogue with USAID’s Rural Housing and Urban Development Organisation (RHUDO) to take up a massive programme of SRD & R in Mumbai. As recognition of his works USAID sponsored him to participate in Asian Regional Conference on Housing, at Jakarta. He was nominated to the panel of “MUMBAI FIRST” an organization based on the lines of “LONDON FIRST” as a representative of an NGO specializing in SRD & R Schemes.
Was Awarded “Great Son of the Soil Millennium Award” by All India Conference of Intellectuals, in recognition of distinguished and commendable services to the nation on 30 December 2002.
Invited to present a paper on Asian Regional Policy Consultation (Habitat II
Habitat II
Habitat II - the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements - was held in Istanbul, Turkey from June 3–14, 1996, twenty years after the 1976 Habitat conference in Vancouver that had led to the establishment of the Nairobi-based United Nations Centre on Human Settlements. The twin...
of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
) on ‘Access to Land and Security of Tenure for Sustainable Development’, Jakarta (Indonesia), 1995. Invited at the Preparatory Committee of United Nation’s Human Settlement Conference (Habitat-II), New York, 1996. Invited to World City Summit at Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, June 1996. He was nominated as one of the 100 ‘Best Practices in in the world and awarded “UNCHS 1998 Awards for Excellence in improving Living Environment’ by United Nation’s Habitat-II. This firm has been recognized and awarded a plaque by the Urban Development Ministry of India on achieving this honour.
He was awarded “Banjara Sahitya Ratna” by Banjara Language Research Institute, Hyderabad / Nagpur, on 17 August 2003, at Nagpur, Maharashtra and also awarded “Banjara Ratna Puraskar” by Banjara Kranti Dal, on 5 January 2004 at Azad Maidan, Mumbai.
founder member of All India Banjara Seva Sangh
See also
- Goars of India
- Banjara#External links
- Slums
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8136812.stm