https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Moving With Tribals

Working with the tribals in one of the poorest districts of India, IAS officer Manuj Jindal can be a shining example for many. Having come back to India after leaving a lucrative job in the United States, he is following the dream of his younger days.
Indian Masterminds Stories

For many people, there is no bigger blessing than to serve the nation. It is a job of immense satisfaction and pride. The IAS officer of 2017 batch Mr. Manuj Jindal grew up with this dream in his heart. So, after passing the 12th class, he attempted NDA and got selected. However, this was not his destiny, and in just six month gave it up due to medical reasons.

Subsequent events took him to foreign shores, and he landed himself a job in the United States. But he returned to India, probably pushed by that dream, and cleared the UPSC. 

In an interview with ‘Indian Masterminds’, Mr Jindal opened up about his struggles after leaving NDA, journey through UPSC and his initiatives for tribal of Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. 

‘It was difficult after leaving NDA’ 

He is currently the SDM in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra

To be in army was what Mr. Jindal wanted initially. When he got into NDA in the first attempt, he was so excited. Then, he faced some serious health issue and in six months after his joining, he has to give up his place. This was very hard for him and his family. Recalling his situations back then he said, “When I came back from the army, the admissions in Indian universities were closed. I had to wait for another 6 months to get enrolled. I was upset and this worsened my situation. I had to start everything from scratch and my family was also under pressure economically, but they supported me.”

Under advice of some seniors and his parents, Mr. Jindal started preparing for SAT and was selected for an under-grad programmed in USA. After completing the graduation in Economics, he got a job there with handsome salary. 

He always wanted to come back because he was not satisfied with the work he was doing., In 2014, Mr Jindal  came back to India and started hi preparation for UPSC. He says that other than UPSC there are very few position through which one can work on grassroots level. He was very passionate about getting in civil services, and secured AIR 53 in his third attempt. 

Training centers and First information boxes for Tribals 

Currently posted as SDM in Bhamragad, Gadchiroli, Mr Jindal is setting new benchmarks with his approach to work. Sharing his experience he said, “It is my first posting. The region comes in the southern-eastern most past of the district. Most of the population is tribal and naxalism also plays a major role here. Apart from that, the tribals have their unique ways of living and aren’t exposed to many things as we are. Before coming here, I prepared a lot and thought about the things I would do. But, everything can’t go as we planned. So, I changed my approached and I learnt many new lessons.” 

Manuj Jindal, IAS of 2017 batch

Mr Jindal started visiting the tribal houses for lunch and went to their fields during sowing of rice, and started connecting with them. When people came to him for issues like electricity or water supply , he would try to solve these promptly. That way, he soon became their friend and well-wisher. Earlier this year, he renovated a vacant `tehsil’ building and turned it into a training center for tribals. Around 50 young girls and boys have been part of this initiative and have learnt wood, bamboo arts and paintings. The second batch has also been started. There is an Art gallery in the center where the students present and sell their work. Before the lockdown, the total earning of the gallery was around 2 lakhs. Mr Jindal is  hopeful that it will grow more. 

Mr Jindal is also planning to set up First information box in every village of the district. It will contain the information about people’s rights, the process of applying for any loan, ration card or identity card etc. in their local language. He is also working on giving this information to them in audio format. Emphasizing about its need he said that in the absence of internet in these backward areas of Ghadchiroli, such steps meant a lot to the people.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Aneesh Dayal Singh IPS
Aneesh Dayal Singh Appointed Deputy NSA; Former DG of CRPF, ITBP to Oversee Internal Security Affairs
Rajasthan-Police
Rajasthan Govt Transfers 4 IPS Officers, Posts 6 Trainee Officers Across Jaipur, Alwar & Jodhpur
Haryana gov resized
Haryana Set to Promote Two IPS Officers to Director General of Police
Complaint
Complaint Filed Against Senior IPS Officer for Sending Inappropriate Messages
Jammu and Kashmir Government
Three IAS Officers Assigned New Postings in J&K; Check Names Here
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services
Senior IAS Officer Rajendra Ratnoo Opts for Voluntary Retirement
SEBI
SEBI Appoints 3 New Executive Directors: Amit Pradhan, Avneesh Pandey & Sanjay Purao Take Charge
Lateral_entry_resized
No Reservation in Lateral Govt Job Entries, Centre Tells Rajya Sabha Citing Single-Post Rule
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
karanraj-vaghela-e1640240276857-1
Operation Hunt: IPS Dr. Karanraj Singh Vaghela’s Mission to Nab Valsad’s Most Wanted
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
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
Aneesh Dayal Singh IPS
Aneesh Dayal Singh Appointed Deputy NSA; Former DG of CRPF, ITBP to Oversee Internal Security Affairs
Rajasthan-Police
Rajasthan Govt Transfers 4 IPS Officers, Posts 6 Trainee Officers Across Jaipur, Alwar & Jodhpur
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
karanraj-vaghela-e1640240276857-1
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT