Hyderabad, Feb 27 (TNT): In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) on Friday launched the ‘GI on Wheels’ programme to promote Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged handicrafts of the State through specially designed buses.
The programme was inaugurated by Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma at the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) in Hyderabad in the presence of Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, TGSRTC Vice Chairman & Managing Director Nagi Reddy, and Hyderabad District Collector, Hari Chandana Dasari.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said the initiative aims to create public awareness about Telangana’s GI-tagged art forms and to strengthen the State’s cultural identity.
He emphasised that cultural awareness is integral to sustainable development and noted that the programme would inspire younger generations to appreciate traditional arts.
The Minister said the initiative reflects the State Government’s commitment to promoting and marketing GI products.
He stated that expanding visibility for GI crafts would enhance livelihood opportunities for rural artisans and assured full support from TGSRTC to scale up the programme across Telangana.
Nagi Reddy, noted that showcasing GI art on buses would bring culture closer to the people while encouraging artisans.
As part of the initiative, six prominent GI-tagged handicrafts — Pochampally Ikat, Warangal Dhurries, Karimnagar Silver Filigree, Narayanpet Sarees, Cheriyal Scroll Paintings and Nirmal Paintings — have been artistically showcased on RTC buses.
The move is aimed at transforming public transport into a mobile platform for promoting the State’s heritage across urban and rural areas.
The designs were created by students of Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU), who were felicitated at the event. Artisans representing the six GI crafts were also honoured.
Telangana currently has 18 GI-tagged products.
A Geographical Indication (GI) is a collective intellectual property right that identifies goods as originating from a specific region and possessing unique characteristics linked to that geography.
Officials said the initiative is expected to enhance awareness, prevent imitation of traditional crafts and support sustainable livelihoods for artisans.
On the occasion, the Governor and other dignitaries later flagged off the specially designed buses, marking the rollout of the ‘GI on Wheels’ campaign across the State.
Senior officials of TGSRTC, including Executive Directors Rajasekhar and Khusro Shah Khan, Regional Managers Srilatha and Sudha Parimala, representatives of JNAFAU, artisans, and other officials were present at the programme.
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