TGSRTC launches GI on Wheels to promote Telangana heritage

TGSRTC launched the ‘GI on Wheels’ programme in Hyderabad to promote Telangana’s 18 GI-tagged products. Specially designed buses showcasing six major handicrafts aim to increase visibility, strengthen cultural identity and support rural artisans’ livelihoods.

Hyderabad: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) launched the innovative ‘GI on Wheels’ programme to promote the state’s Geographical Indication (GI) heritage through public transport buses.

The event was inaugurated by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma at MGBS on Friday, in the presence of Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, TGSRTC Managing Director Y Nagi Reddy, Hyderabad Collector Harichandana Dasari and senior officials.

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The specially designed buses are adorned with artwork representing six prominent GI-tagged handicrafts of Telangana. These include Pochampally Ikat, Warangal Carpets, Karimnagar Silver Filigree, Narayanpet Sarees, Cheriyal Scroll Paintings and Nirmal Paintings. The bus panel designs were created by students of Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU).

Speaking on the occasion, Jishnu Dev Varma emphasised that culture forms the soul of society and that strengthening cultural identity is essential for a young state like Telangana. Such initiatives, he noted, would inspire youth to appreciate traditional art forms while ensuring dignity and recognition for artisans.

Ponnam Prabhakar said enhanced visibility would create better livelihood opportunities for rural artisans and improve their economic stability. Nagi Reddy stated that displaying GI art forms on buses not only promotes culture but also serves as a platform to encourage artisans.

A Geographical Indication (GI) is a collective intellectual property right that identifies products as originating from a specific region, possessing unique qualities, skills or traditional characteristics. Telangana currently has 18 GI-tagged products.