'Touch the sky' through education, Dantewada Distrct Collector tells children in Maoist affected ar

Dantewada, Jan 29 (ANI): Concerned about growing Maoist influence among villagers in Chhattisgarh, the state government is imparting quality education and coaching to children from rebel-infested Dantewada District, preparing them for competitive exams.

Dantewada District Collector, Om Prakash Choudhary, said a programme called, 'Chhoo Lo Asmaan' (touch the sky), has been started for children from backward villages to prepare them for entrance to medical and engineering courses at a residential campus.

"Under the 'Chhoo Lo Asmaan' (touch the sky) programme, we are trying to create an educational environment in the region, through a demonstration effect. The quality of education in the region is very poor because of which the children reach to eight and tenth standards. We are educating children to prepare them as doctors and engineers. Even if 5-10 doctors and engineers are prepared in every village, this will have a demonstration effect and people will develop faith in education," said Choudhary.

Choudhary said children are provided free schooling and coaching by best teachers, besides food, at the residential campus.

Delighted with the initiative, the students said they are imparted quality education and teachers are explaining them nicely.

"Teachers are all good, whether they are of coaching or of theory, they explain us really well and teach us nicely. We are receiving quality education. I want to be a doctor and if I will put in my best efforts and do hard work, then I will surely become a doctor," said Hemlata, a student.

According to media reports, many other developmental projects have been initiated in the district.

An Education City would also be coming up over 170 acres of land, which will have around 15 institutes including an engineering college, sports school, a tribal girls school, besides a residential school for children orphaned in Maoist violence.

Maoist strategy has been to prevent children being educated and then try to enroll them into their cadres. The step taken by the District Collector has provided an opportunity for the children to seek a career for themselves.

Students said such programmes have boosted their confidence and they are working hard towards fulfilling their dreams.

"We have gained lot of confidence here that if we work hard and concentrate on studies, then we will surely become software engineer or doctor," said Ragini, another student.

Despite government initiatives, development activities continue to take a beating with local villagers and students reeling under the looming fear of Left-wing extremists.

In spite of strong measures initiated by the Central Government to crush the ultras, the Maoist insurgency has gripped nearly a third of the country, spreading into the interiors of 20 of India's 28 states.

Maoists have also significantly increased their presence in tribal and rural regions in the affected states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa. (ANI)