Shri Ranjit Poojari Naik, a renowned Architect and Social Worker

Shri Ranjit Poojari Naik, a renowned Architect and Social Worker, S/o Late Shri P. Champla Naik, was born on 22/10/1933, at a village: Naginayanichervu Tanda, Mandal : Somandepalli, District : Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh State (India). Studied upto 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 (upto 1952). 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 has 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.

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 was practicing as Architect in Mumbai since 1964 to till 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 “Kaka kalelkar Backward Class 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.

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He organized and fully participated in the Conference of Erukula – Enandi – Lambadi Tribal Conference, in 1953.
Regards,
Rajesh.