Nagpur: In a remarkable transformation, former Maoists in Gadchiroli, once wielding weapons, are now embracing books and pens through ‘Project Sanjeevani’, a holistic rehabilitation programme launched by the Gadchiroli police in 2025. This initiative, symbolically kicked off on International Literacy Day, September 8, aims to reintegrate surrendered Maoists into mainstream society by providing literacy, skill development, and access to govt schemes.At Eklavya Hall, Police Headquarters, Gadchiroli, some 110 surrendered Maoists, including 106 who are illiterate and 38 who dropped out after third or fourth grade, have begun literacy classes organised by the education department. The programme targets equipping them with education up to the fifth standard, with plans to extend learning to the eighth standard. This foundational literacy will enable them to enrol in skill development courses under the Maharashtra State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), which requires a minimum fifth-standard qualification.A district-wide literacy test, scheduled for September 21, will assess 8,000 illiterate individuals, including these former Maoists, marking a significant step toward self-reliance. “This initiative is about more than eradicating illiteracy,” said SP Gadchiroli Neelotpal. “We aim to transform surrendered Maoists into responsible citizens. By trading violence for knowledge, they are building a brighter future.”Project Sanjeevani goes beyond education. It offers vocational training in fields like driving, sewing, beauty parlour management, and animal husbandry, ensuring employment and self-employment opportunities. SP Gadchiroli office is the registered skill development training institution for providing skill development training under Maharashtra State Skill Development Society. The programme also facilitates access to Central and State govt schemes and provides govt land for constructing row houses, supporting their reintegration.Sources from the education department (secondary) stated, “Surrendered Maoists will be admitted directly to Class V and taught through special classes. We will conduct examinations to track their progress.” The initiative addresses a critical hurdle: illiteracy previously barred many from MSSDS skill training programmes.Over the years, hundreds of Maoists have surrendered in Gadchiroli, nearly dismantling the decades-old Maoist movement in eastern Vidarbha’s remotest district. Project Sanjeevani stands as a beacon of hope, proving that education can replace weapons and foster peace. By equipping former insurgents with knowledge and skills, Gadchiroli is paving the way for an inclusive future, where empowerment would no longer signify bombs but books, symbolising a new chapter for these individuals and the region.
