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Education returns to a Maoist-affected village through ‘Niyad Nella Naar’ and Rationalization initiatives
Raipur, July 4, 2025 – Once abandoned and silent, the school in Irkabhatthi stood locked for years—its classrooms filled with dust and echoes of the past. But today, that same primary school in the remote village of Abujhmad is alive once more, echoing with the laughter of children and the sounds of lessons being taught. The revival of education in this isolated region is the result of the Chhattisgarh Government’s efforts under the ‘Niyad Nella Naar’ (Your Good Village) scheme and its school rationalization initiative.
In recent years, Maoist activity had dulled the vibrancy of many villages. Books slipped from children’s hands, schoolyards turned desolate, and even the rhythmic beats of the traditional mandar drum fell silent. Irkabhatthi village in Narayanpur district was one such community—struggling for survival, yet deprived of even basic education. “There was a time we believed our children would never know what a school even looked like,” says local resident Ramsaay Kakadam. “But now that teachers have been appointed and the school has reopened, it feels like life has returned to our village.”
The ‘Niyad Nella Naar’ scheme has rekindled hope in remote, conflict-affected areas like Irkabhatthi. Government programs are now being effectively implemented in villages within a five-kilometer radius of security camps. Under this initiative, Irkabhatthi has seen the construction of roads, the arrival of electricity, and most importantly, the reopening of its long-shuttered primary school. Thanks to rationalization efforts, the school now has two appointed teachers: Mr. Ashok Bhagat and Mrs. Leela Netam. These educators not only teach the children but also actively encourage parents to send them to school regularly.
Teacher Mrs. Leela Netam says, “Initially, I was scared to come here, but the children’s smiles wash away all fear. They are incredibly bright—they just needed a chance.” More than a dozen children are now attending the school regularly. Small hands hold books, and their eyes sparkle with dreams of a better future. Villagers who once feared sending their kids to school now proudly carry them on their shoulders to drop them off each morning.
An emotional Mangtu Bai, an elderly resident, shares with tears of joy, “Now my granddaughter can grow up to become an officer. We never imagined we would live to see this day.”
Irkabhatthi’s story is not just about one village. It reflects the transformation of thousands of forgotten villages that were once lost in the shadows of neglect and insecurity. Today, thanks to ‘Niyad Nella Naar’ and rationalization, a new light is shining in their lives. The flame of education has been reignited—and this time, it’s here to stay.
