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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Red flag to green steel

Ex-Maoists forge new destiny in Gadchiroli Gadchiroli: The rugged, forested terrain of Gadchiroli district, long synonymous with the violence and deep-rooted anti-establishment tenets of the ‘Red Ideology’, is now witnessing a remarkable social and industrial transformation. At the Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd. (LMEL) plant in Konsari, once-feared Maoist operatives are shedding their past lives and embracing a new, respectable existence as skilled workers in a cutting-edge Direct Reduced Iron...

Red flag to green steel

Ex-Maoists forge new destiny in Gadchiroli Gadchiroli: The rugged, forested terrain of Gadchiroli district, long synonymous with the violence and deep-rooted anti-establishment tenets of the ‘Red Ideology’, is now witnessing a remarkable social and industrial transformation. At the Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd. (LMEL) plant in Konsari, once-feared Maoist operatives are shedding their past lives and embracing a new, respectable existence as skilled workers in a cutting-edge Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and pellet plant. This ‘green steel’ project, part of LMEL’s push for an integrated steel complex in the region, is functioning not just as an industrial unit but as a crucial pillar in the Maharashtra government’s surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy. So far, LMEL, in coordination with the state government and the Gadchiroli Police, has provided employment and training to 68 surrendered Maoists and 14 members of families affected by Naxal violence, a total of 82 individuals, offering them a definitive pathway back to the mainstream. The Shift The transformation begins at the company’s dedicated Lloyds Skill Development and Training Centre at Konsari. Recognizing that many former cadres had limited formal education, the company implements a structured, skill-based rehabilitation model. They are trained in essential technical and operational skills required for plant administration, civil construction, and mechanical operations. For individuals like Govinda Atala, a former deputy commander, the change is palpable. “After surrendering, I got the right to live a new life,” Atala said. “I am very happy to get this job. I am now living my life on my own; there is no pressure on me now.” Suresh Hichame, who spent over a decade in the movement before surrendering in 2009 too echoed the sentiments. He realized the path of violence offered neither him nor his family any benefit. Moreover, his self-respecct was hurt. He knew several languages and carried out several crucial tasks for the banned organization remaining constantly under the shadow of death. Today, he works in the plant, receiving a steady monthly salary that enables him to care for his family—a basic dignity the ‘Red Ideology’ could never provide. The monthly salaries of the rehabilitated workers, typically ranging from Rs 13,000 to Rs 20,000, are revolutionary in a region long characterized by poverty and lack of opportunities. Trust, Stability The employment of former Maoists is a brave and calculated risk for LMEL, an industry that historically faced stiff opposition and even violence from the left wing extremist groups. LMEL’s management, however, sees it as an investment in inclusive growth and long-term stability for the district. The LMEL has emphasized the company’s commitment to training and facilitating career growth for the local populace, including the surrendered cadres. This commitment to local workforce upskilling is proving to be a highly effective counter-insurgency strategy, chipping away at the foundation of the Maoist movement: the exploitation of local grievances and lack of economic options. The reintegration effort extends beyond the factory floor. By providing stable incomes and a sense of purpose, LMEL helps the former rebels navigate the social transition. They are now homeowners, taxpayers, and active members of the community, replacing the identity of an outlaw with that of a respected employee. This social acceptance, coupled with economic independence, is the true measure of rehabilitation. The successful employment of cadres, some of whom were once high-ranking commanders, also sends a powerful message to those still active in the jungle: the path to a peaceful and prosperous life is open and tangible. It transforms the promise of government rehabilitation into a concrete reality. The plant, with its production of iron ore and steel, is physically transforming the region into an emerging industrial hub, and in doing so, it is symbolically forging the nation’s progress out of the ashes of extremism. The coordinated effort between private industry, the state government, and the Gadchiroli police is establishing a new environment of trust, stability, and economic progress, marking Gadchiroli’s transition from a Maoist hotbed to a model of inclusive and sustainable development.

PAWS: 25 glorious years of animal welfare

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Mumbai: In 1998, when young Nilesh Bhanage was kite-flying on his society terrace in Dombivali, he found a pigeon severely injured because of kite strings. In an attempt to save the bird, he promptly took it to the nearby animal lover. That spontaneous act of compassion spurred Nilesh to work for animal welfare, which resulted in the formation of the Plant and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS).


There has been no looking back since then, as the organisation is celebrating 25 devoted years of work towards wildlife rehabilitation, animal welfare and environment. Whether a snake has entered a house, a bird is trapped or a dog is injured, the PAWS has always been a go-to place for people for the rescue, care and rehabilitation of animals in Thane district.


“We found several stray animals in Kalyan-Dombivali in poor conditions, who died on the roadside due to maggot-wounds and starvation. So we created PAWS that was started with an aim to alleviate the distress of these animals,” said Nilesh while speaking to ‘The Perfect Voice’.


Three aspects

Since its inception, the PAWS focused on three major aspects – domestic animals welfare, wildlife rehabilitation and environment protection. It started its operations by converting a second-hand matador van into an animal ambulance, which was the first such service launched for this purpose in Thane district.


The journey that started from a make-shift animal ambulance has now reached a PAWS’ well-equipped animal rescue centre in Murbad. Started in November 2011, the centre has 16 Kennels, separate accident recovery ward, distemper recovery ward, puppy penny, cat ward, surgical room and staff quarters with staff and a para-vet taking care of around 140 animals including cats, pups, kittens and cattle. The centre also has a burial facility for animals.


The PAWS has two helpline numbers to respond to public calls seeking help for animals – 9820161114 for domestic animals and 9920777536 for wildlife animals. In addition to this, the organisation catches stray dogs and cats in Thane district, gets them sterilized at its Murbad Rescue Center and releases them from where they were picked-up. It also vaccinates over 900 strays every year against rabies. The vaccination drives are conducted in four districts – Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad.


Major activities

One of the major activities of the PAWS is wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, wherein it has saved over 4000 wildlife animals in the last 25 years. They include 1132 snakes, 2485 birds, 13 monkeys, 3 foxes, 65 turtles, 31 various reptiles etc. Even rare birds like flamingos, chataks (cuckoo) and kingfishers have been rehabilitated by the PAWS.


The PAWS renders its help for the disaster management works during the natural calamities. It helped over 300 sick and distressed animals in Mumbai during 2005 floods. Apart from that, it also provided help in disaster management during the 2004 Tsunami, 2015 Nepal earthquake and Myanmar earthquake early this year.


The PAWS also arranges different first aid camps for all types of animals and holds lectures which teach first aid to students. It holds regular camps in slums and village areas for vaccination and medical check-up camps for bullocks, donkeys and horses that are employed for labour. In addition to this, innumerable homeless and abandoned animals have been re-homed through the adoption Scheme. The organisation conducts bird-watching trails in nearby villages, to make students aware of nature, birds and wildlife.


The PAWS has played a major role in curtailing the elephant begging in Maharashtra by carrying out a ‘Survey on Captive Elephants of Maharashtra’ in 2006. The survey included elephants in circuses, temples, roads, zoos and the forest department. Last month, Nilesh also made a presentation on the topic ‘Leopards and Human Conflict in Mumbai’ in the Wild Animal Rescue Network conference to be held in Taipei.


With its office located in Dombivali, the PAWS has a small Library which holds around 120 books on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, animal welfare, animal rights and vegetarianism, which can be referred for studies for its registered and active volunteers at no cost.

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