Miss India UK Deana Uppal set to make documentary on 'Banjara community'

Mumbai: Deana Uppal, Miss India UK, is all set to direct and produce an in-depth documentary on the life of this ‘Banjara’ community. The actress-turned-businesswoman is working to bring out the facts and reality of the Gaddi Lohar community.

Uppal is also working on forming her own organisation that will work for the issues faced by the ‘Banjara’ community on a day-to-day basis. As the entire country participates in the mega general elections with fervour, Rajasthan’s Gaddi Lohar community has been left out. This nomadic tribe, who fall below the poverty line, do not possess any voter ID, Aadhar Card or any other identification document.

In the absence of these vital documents, this nomadic tribe does not get a chance to exercise their franchise. Also, being bereft of these documents, this community does not get the benefits of the government schemes.

As part of her campaign for the nomadic community, Uppal is also holding meetings with several ministers of Rajasthan and putting forth the issues faced by these people.

The Miss India UK has been to the offices of Public Works and Development Ministry, Health Ministry, Women and Child Development Ministry to discuss the problems faced by the Gaddi Lohar community.

As Rajasthan goes to polls on May 6, Uppal has written to the chief electoral officer of Rajasthan, Anand Kumar, urging him to devise a strategy for future so that this community can have their voting rights and get a chance to elect their representative.