https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Winning Hearts to Counter Naxalism

In a short period of just two months, Mr. Vinit Nandanwar IAS, District Collector Sukma in Chhattisgarh is reaching out to the Naxal-affected villagers. He has been providing speedy redressal to their grievances.
Indian Masterminds Stories

The Naxalist-Maoist insurgency has been an ongoing conflict in Chhattisgarh for the past many decades. The administration in various districts have still not been able to reach the villages which are highly prone to Naxal activities. While many administrators are still struggling to connect with the people of these villages, an IAS officer in Sukma district is taking developmental steps to win the trust of people here.

The officer in focus is Mr. Vinit Nandanwar IAS (of 2013-batch), who got posted as the District Collector of Sukma two months ago. In just a short span of time, he has brought a positive change in the relationship between the villagers and the administration by his immediate redressal to their various issues.

INTERACTION WITH THE VILLAGERS

In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Nandanwar said “The main issue villagers face in these Naxal-affected areas are related to their security and the basic facilities which lack in their villages. It then becomes our duty to reach out to them by way of village visits and listen to their grievances. While I conducted visits in villages like Kistaram, Konda Sawli, etc. which are one of the most affected villages in the district, I got to know that these villagers have very few demands.”

Mr. Vinit Nandanwar, DC Sukma interacting with villagers in Naxal-affected villages

ACCESS OF BASIC NECESSITIES

While interacting with the villagers, Mr. Nandanwar found out that people here lack basic amenities which needed to be taken care of on priority. He took various initiatives starting with providing clean drinking water to every household and better sanitation in the district. These measures have automatically led to a cleaner and more hygienic environment.

Soon after this, electrification of the Naxal-hit villages was completed, and better health and medical facilities were provided to the locals.

Not only this, but Mr. Nandanwar also executed the VHSND (village Health Sanitation and Nutrition day) program to reduce malnutrition among children and promote institutional deliveries of pregnant women.

IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Several development programs were taken up by the administration under the guidance of Mr. Nandanwar. He said, “During the village visits, several demands of opening PDS shops were made by the villagers. I immediately gave sanction to this request.”

Apart from setting up PDS shops, the administration also gave a go-ahead for the quality construction of `anganwadis’, schools, hospitals, public toilets, and other infrastructures. Besides, it assured rural development by providing maximum man-days of work to local residents under MGNREGA & NRLM schemes.

Mr. Vinit Nandanwar inspecting the construction work done at schools, anganwadis etc.

Irrigational facilities were also promoted throughout the year by effective use of integrated watershed management. This has enabling farmers of the district to practice double-crop cultivation.

BEAUTIFICATION OF TOWNSHIP

An initiative called ‘Sanvarta Sukma’ was launched by Mr. Nandanwar in which a plantation drive was conducted (of ornamental plants) at a stretch of 3-kilometres on selected spots in the district. This initiative was taken up for encouraging people to plant flowering, ornamental, and medicinal plants in their homes.

Plantation drive

Apart from this, glow boards have also been placed at specified spots within the towns, and beautification of prime locations such as Tungal Dam and Rangaraaj Park was done.

INITIATIVES FOR THE YOUTH

Mr. Nandanwar said, “While I was conducting a meeting with the villagers in Kistaram village, some grievances came up from the students who were seeking help in their higher studies. It was very unusual and astonishing to see their dedication to studies from such a small village like Kistaram.”

Mr. Vinit interacting with the youth in Kistaram village

Hence, several initiatives were also taken up to provide good facilities to the students of such villages in the district. Under the guidance of Mr. Nandanwar, a pilot project was designed in which online coaching will be provided to the aspirants of the Civil Services Exam and other competitive exams, which will commence from 1 January 2021.

Apart from this, libraries have been built to assure students round the clock access to books, magazines, and other study materials helpful for preparations. Being a fitness freak himself, Mr. Nandanwar has also launched a well-equipped gymnasium in the district.

Opening well equipped gymnasium

It goes without saying that these initiatives by Mr Nandanwar has made life easier for the villagers, and improved their relationship with the administration.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
Mohan Yadav
MP CM Mohan Yadav Pushes for Sustainable, Community-Driven Rural Water Policy; Targets 100% Tap Coverage by March 2027
Ajay Bhadoo IAS
IAS Ajay Bhadoo Gets Extended Term as DGFT - What It Means & His Career Journey
THDCIL_Receives_ABMS_Certification_for_Integrity_and_Transparency
THDC India (THDCIL) Awarded ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Certification by BIS - Details Inside
Ministry of Environment
Environment Ministry Clarifies Petrol Vehicle Tender, Cites E-Vehicle Flexibility
Bokaro Steel Plant
PESB Selects Priya Ranjan to Head Bokaro Steel Plant, SAIL’s Key Production Unit
REC Limited wins ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC (DNA) Awards
REC Limited Bags ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC Awards
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IFS S Krithiga
Eco-Friendly Cottages, Tribal Cuisine, and Conservation: Inside Tamil Nadu’s Pachamalai Project
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT