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New Delhi, October 25 (IANS) Badeseti village in Bastar region, once a symbol of fear and rebellion, has written a new chapter in the history of Chhattisgarh by becoming the first Maoist-free gram panchayat in the state. This remote village, once trapped in the shadow of Maoist violence, is now a model of peace, development and self-reliance.
Under the Maoist Rehabilitation Policy, the Panchayat and Rural Development Department has sanctioned Rs 1.10 crore for the overall development of the village. The funds are being used to improve infrastructure, strengthen local governance and ensure the return of essential public services that were once disrupted due to Maoist activities.
Today, Badaseti stands as a symbol of change. The same residents who were once afraid of stepping out after sunset now actively participate in village development meetings and digital transactions. With the reopening of bank accounts that lay dormant during the insurgency years, the people of Badasetti are now embracing Digital India, using UPI payments for daily transactions, a small but mighty sign of confidence and progress.
The Anganwadi center, which was closed for almost three years due to Maoist threat, has now reopened. Workers have returned, and children are once again receiving early education and nutritional support. Government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jal Jeevan Mission and solar lighting projects have brought clean drinking water and reliable electricity to the community. Construction of a panchayat building and a primary health center is underway, while the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana has connected the village to nearby towns with newly constructed concrete roads, making transportation and trade easier than ever.
A villager said, “Yes, construction work has been completed in our panchayat, and everything is working well now. The situation was very different earlier, but now real improvement is visible. Bus services have started, electricity has reached every house, and a concrete road connects us to the surrounding areas. Development is clearly taking shape here.”
Another villager described how peace has returned to the area, “Earlier, my entire area was under the influence of Maoists, but now the presence has completely ended. There is no sign of any Maoist activity now; the area is completely free and peaceful.”
Badasetty’s transformation has become a source of inspiration for nearby villages that are still grappling with the remnants of extremism. Local officials believe that the village’s success story can serve as a model of peace through development for the rest of Bastar.
Officials say continued investment in education, health and job creation will ensure that this peace lasts. From fear to liberation, and from darkness to development, Badeseti has truly become the face of a new, self-reliant Bastar.
–IANS
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