Gadchiroli's Quiet Revolution

From Maoist shadow to bright future, education fuels dreams

Mumbai: Once synonymous with the grim specter of Maoist violence, Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district is now witnessing a profound, silent revolution. It’s a transformation driven by education, bringing forth a surge of hope and opportunity for children from tribal communities who once lived in fear amidst the echoes of bombs and bullets.

At the heart of this change are the government-run Ashramshalas, or residential schools, strategically located in remote and challenging areas like Vangepalli (Aheri taluka), Sironcha, and Navegaon (Gadchiroli taluka). These regions are so isolated that Sironcha, for instance, is a daunting 285 km from the district headquarters and experiences a complete communication cut-off for six months during the monsoon, necessitating a circuitous route through Telangana and Chandrapur to reach the district capital.

Despite these formidable geographical hurdles, the impact of these Ashramshalas, initiated by the Maharashtra government's Social Welfare Department in 2011, has been nothing short of astonishing. Initially, these schools, offering education from class six to ten, struggled to attract students. Today, the scenario has flipped dramatically. For the past two years, each school, designed for 200 children, receives over 500 applications for admission. The selection process is now a lottery, and after the 200 chosen students are admitted, a “Housefull” board is proudly displayed outside.

Academic achievements

The academic achievements are equally remarkable. Girls in the ninth and tenth grades not only demonstrate fluent English, but a testament to the quality of education came last week when two students were selected for the national-level medical examination, NEET. Over a dozen alumni have already become engineers, and one young woman is currently a second-year MBBS student at a government medical college in Ratnagiri.

Sachin Madavi, Assistant Commissioner of the Social Welfare Department, who oversees these institutions, attributes this burgeoning interest to a concerted effort in improving the school environment. Gone are the days of basic jute mats and wooden furniture. Classrooms now boast modern fibre tables and chairs, electric fans, and digital boards that incorporate visual aids for enhanced learning. Beyond academics, a strong emphasis on sports has seen these tribal children excel, participating in state-level competitions and bringing home medals.

Empowering aspirations

The district's transformation isn't just about education; it's also about empowering aspirations. This was vividly illustrated when a group of children from Gadchiroli recently embarked on an extraordinary journey to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bengaluru. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis himself was present at Nagpur Airport to bid them farewell, underscoring the state's commitment to their future. Just days before, the Chief Minister had also attended the marriage ceremony of 13 former Maoist couples at the Gadchiroli Police Headquarters, highlighting a holistic approach to peace and development in the region. CM Fadnavis, who also serves as the Guardian Minister for Gadchiroli, personally encouraged the students, asking them about their destination and their purpose, urging them to "study diligently and bring glory to Gadchiroli."

Dr. Madavi, who accompanied the children to Bengaluru, confirmed that this marks the second consecutive year that Ashramshala students have visited ISRO. He shared how the earlier high dropout rate, where sixth-grade enrollment would halve by tenth grade, has been completely reversed. Now, all three Ashramshalas maintain full capacity. Last year, every student passed their tenth-grade exams, with one even topping the district with an impressive 92 percent.

New heights

Despite challenges like language barriers, with many children speaking Telugu, and the fact that many had never seen a bus, train, or even the district headquarters before, these young minds are now soaring to new heights. As Gadchiroli's mines gear up to transform the region into an iron ore hub akin to Jamshedpur, the burgeoning number of bright young minds emerging from its Ashramshalas paints an even more promising picture for its future. The government is now actively considering expanding the number of these schools, ensuring that the "Housefull" sign becomes a permanent fixture of this inspiring educational revolution.