From: sanjeev nayyar
Date: Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 1:33 PM
Subject: Chhattisgarh: 'A state continuously striving to do better' by sanjeev nayyar in Rediff
To: sgmail
Development and smart policing must go hand in hand in Chhattisgarh, says Sanjeev Nayyar who travelled through several Naxal affected regions of the state.
I recently travelled through the Naxal affected districts of Bastar, Dantewada, Kanker and Narainpur. Over ten days I visited touristy places, adivasi homes, Bailadila iron-ore mines and the Jungle Warfare College, and also spoke to a cross-section of people. The purpose of this article is to share insights and observations gathered during the trip.
I reached Raipur at mid-night and took a bus to reach Jagdalpur by 8 am. Unlike what I had thought, Jagdalpur is a big town with a buzzling market place. It has a couple of huge stores selling consumer durables. Other district towns are smaller in comparison. I found the state to have excellent roads.
At Chitrakoot waterfalls and Kutumsar Caves (stalactite formations) I saw many tourists enjoying as they do in Delhi or Jaipur. Whilst driving through areas in which Naxals are active, the driver advised me not to get off and click pictures like I did elsewhere.
At the weekly market, Haat, adivasis offered me landa (rice beer) and mahua (the local brew). Everywhere people were interested in knowing where I was from.
Villagers told me that electricity is the key to their progress. They said that when a village is electrified the first thing villagers do is buy a TV with a DD dish. The rich amongst them go for a Tata Sky dish. Once they are exposed to the outside world perspectives could change even though others fear it will destroy the adivasi culture. Many yearn for a cellphone connection.
Several people told me that there has been tremendous development after Chhattisgarh became a separate state. Earlier Bastar was one district; today there are seven. This has increased the pace of development even though it means higher administrative cost.
I saw some interesting initiatives.
To see Slide Show http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-chhattisgarh-a-state-continuously-striving-to-do-better/20130215.htm.
If you like to see more pictures of various initiatives -
1. Livelihood College Dantewada - http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Livelihood-College-Dantewada.aspx
2. Jungle Warfare College Kanker - http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Jungle-Warfare-College-Kanker.aspx
3. Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Narainpur - http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Ramakrishna-Mission-Ashrama-Narainpur.aspx
3. Education City Geetham - http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Education-City-Geetham.aspx
4. Bastar Craft - http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Bastar-Craft.aspx
The trip ended with a visit to Bhoramdeo Temple, described as the Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh.
Surely the government needs to do a lot more work on various fronts. However, I left with a distinct feeling that here is a state that is continuously striving to do better.
Will this solve the Naxal problem? To me winning the hearts and minds of people is more important.
The author is a national affairs analyst, founder www.esamskriti.com and a Business Consultant.
Warm Regards
sanjeev nayyar
https://twitter.com/sanjeev1927
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