The Chhattisgarh government has launched a unique initiative to restore hope, revive livelihoods and return the lost smiles to forgotten communities in the restive Bastar region.
A senior government official said that at the heart of this initiative was a focus on the villages within a five-kilometer radius of security camps.
These areas, once held hostage by terror, are now the focal point of government development efforts. The change is palpable.
Haat-Bazaars that had been closed for years are springing back to life. Schools are reopening, and the once-quiet roads are now bustling with activity. It’s as if Bastar is breathing again, he said.
The transformation is evident with the smiles and peace on the faces of the people who live here.
For years, the villagers of Kilepal in the Darbha block had lived without basic amenities like roads and electricity. Their weekly market, once a vibrant hub, had fallen into despair.
But thanks to the Niyad Nellanar initiative, the roads are now paved, electricity has finally reached their homes, and the market is once again alive with the sounds of trade and laughter.
"It’s not just a market—it’s a symbol of the community’s resilience and hope," the official said.
In nearby Koleng village, the change is equally inspiring. New roads have been built, schools reopened and an Anganwadi center has been set up to care for the youngest members of the community.
The official added that the impact of Niyad Nellanar stretches far beyond basic amenities. It’s about restoring dignity and giving people a reason to dream again.
In Puvarti, a village in the Konta block of Sukma district, the ration shop is about to open for the first time. For decades, the villagers had to walk miles to neighbouring areas just to buy essentials.
For years, Puvarti was a symbol of everything that was wrong in Bastar—isolated, terrorized and neglected. But today, it is becoming a symbol of hope.
With the establishment of a security camp, government schemes are reaching the village, and life is slowly returning to normal. Children now attend school, and families are receiving the basic amenities they were once denied, he said.
The official claimed that in some of the most remote villages of Bastar, the Niyad Nellanar initiative is working miracles.
In Nawapara Elmagunda, located deep in the Sukma district, the installation of DTH has opened up a world of information and entertainment for both children and adults.
The transformation in these villages is not just about infrastructure—it’s about restoring faith. The people of Bastar are rediscovering their joy, their pride, and their hope for a better tomorrow.
