Bengaluru: Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has sought land for the construction of a “Rajasthan Bhawan” in the city, a long-pending need of the migrant community from the western state.In a letter to Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar, Sharma Friday requested around 3,000 square metres of land in a central location for the cultural centre.Sharma said a significant number of Rajasthani migrants in Bengaluru are contributing to Karnataka’s economy.“A need is being felt for quite some time for establishment of Rajasthan Bhawan at Bengaluru, which would offer finest elements of Rajasthani culture and hospitality to both the migrant community and the local residents,” he said.Rajasthan govt expects the cultural centre to also offer an opportunity for exchange of art and culture between the two states. The project is proposed to be carried out by the Rajasthan Foundation, the govt’s nodal agency for engaging with non-resident Rajasthanis (NRRs) across India and the world. The foundation is chaired by Sharma himself.Rajasthan Bhawans have been established before in states like Chandigarh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh where there is a huge presence of the migrant community.Shivakumar is yet to respond to the proposal.Bharat Kumar Jain, co-convenor of the BJP Rajasthan Pravasi Prakosth, Karnataka, stated that the project will benefit around 5,000 Rajasthanis living in Bengaluru. “Events, festivals and all cultural and economical discussions can happen here. Bhajanlal Sharma will be visiting Bengaluru Sunday for an investor meet. A Rajasthan Bhawan will be useful for us if granted”, he explained.
