<p>Mumbai: The once-Naxalism-affected Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra is witnessing a new revolution. </p><p>Under a unique initiative - ‘ek gaon, ek granthalaya’ (‘One Village, One Library’) - in the last over two years, 71 libraries are now functional - where over 8,000 students enrolled. </p><p>“The ‘One Village, One Library’ initiative launched by the Gadchiroli Police is proving to be a beacon of hope in the district today. So far, libraries have been established in 71 villages, with over 8,000 youths regularly benefiting from reading,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.</p><p>Fadnavis, who is also the state Home Minister and Guardian Minister of Gadchiroli district, described the initiative as the torch of knowledge which triumphs over the darkness of Naxalism. </p>.Gadchiroli district and four talukas in Gondia remain 'Naxal-infested': Govt.<p>“This is a very unique initiative and is growing popular,” said Gadchiroli district’s Superintendent of Police Neelotpal. </p><p>According to him, the first library was established on January 18, 2023. </p><p>“Today, over 8,000 youth are studying across these 71 libraries. In the last two and a half years, 205 of these young individuals have been selected for the Police force, and many others have secured jobs in the Revenue department and other jobs in the government,” Neelotpal said.</p><p>“In remote areas like Nalgunda, we connected the library to our police post's Wi-Fi to ensure internet access for the boys and girls coming to the library,” he said. </p><p>“Under the guidance of the CM, the Gadchiroli Police force is tirelessly striving for the empowered future of the youth of the district,” the Gadchiroli police said. </p><p>"To make this initiative successful, we involved not just the police department but also the local villagers. The library building was in ruins earlier; we renovated it with the community’s help and provided all necessary facilities,” said Rakesh Lohambare, the Coordinator for Kotgul Library. </p><p>“Today, apart from the students who study here regularly, even schoolchildren come and ask us if they can study here, which is encouraging,” he added. </p><p>About the mission, the Gadchiroli police, in its website, states: “The youth living in the most remote areas of Gadchiroli district should be brought into the government stream for their all-round development as well as to get access to intellectual and artistic qualities and to increase their ideological ability so that they do not get attracted to Maoist ideology. 'One Village, One Library' has been established so that they can get information from reading about various local, regional, national, international events happening in the world and to increase their inclination towards competitive exams through the library.”</p>
<p>Mumbai: The once-Naxalism-affected Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra is witnessing a new revolution. </p><p>Under a unique initiative - ‘ek gaon, ek granthalaya’ (‘One Village, One Library’) - in the last over two years, 71 libraries are now functional - where over 8,000 students enrolled. </p><p>“The ‘One Village, One Library’ initiative launched by the Gadchiroli Police is proving to be a beacon of hope in the district today. So far, libraries have been established in 71 villages, with over 8,000 youths regularly benefiting from reading,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.</p><p>Fadnavis, who is also the state Home Minister and Guardian Minister of Gadchiroli district, described the initiative as the torch of knowledge which triumphs over the darkness of Naxalism. </p>.Gadchiroli district and four talukas in Gondia remain 'Naxal-infested': Govt.<p>“This is a very unique initiative and is growing popular,” said Gadchiroli district’s Superintendent of Police Neelotpal. </p><p>According to him, the first library was established on January 18, 2023. </p><p>“Today, over 8,000 youth are studying across these 71 libraries. In the last two and a half years, 205 of these young individuals have been selected for the Police force, and many others have secured jobs in the Revenue department and other jobs in the government,” Neelotpal said.</p><p>“In remote areas like Nalgunda, we connected the library to our police post's Wi-Fi to ensure internet access for the boys and girls coming to the library,” he said. </p><p>“Under the guidance of the CM, the Gadchiroli Police force is tirelessly striving for the empowered future of the youth of the district,” the Gadchiroli police said. </p><p>"To make this initiative successful, we involved not just the police department but also the local villagers. The library building was in ruins earlier; we renovated it with the community’s help and provided all necessary facilities,” said Rakesh Lohambare, the Coordinator for Kotgul Library. </p><p>“Today, apart from the students who study here regularly, even schoolchildren come and ask us if they can study here, which is encouraging,” he added. </p><p>About the mission, the Gadchiroli police, in its website, states: “The youth living in the most remote areas of Gadchiroli district should be brought into the government stream for their all-round development as well as to get access to intellectual and artistic qualities and to increase their ideological ability so that they do not get attracted to Maoist ideology. 'One Village, One Library' has been established so that they can get information from reading about various local, regional, national, international events happening in the world and to increase their inclination towards competitive exams through the library.”</p>