00 Instead of the smell of gunpowder, people have started building their future around development.
Raipur. The Naxalite rehabilitation policy of the Chhattisgarh government is not just a campaign to give up arms, but has become a medium to bring new light in the lives of the wandering youth. Where there was once the smell of gunpowder, now the roads of development are reaching there. These youth, leaving behind fear and terror and adopting skills, have today become a symbol of the changing face of Chhattisgarh. The main focus of the state government's policy is not limited to surrender, but to make the youth self-reliant and establish them firmly in the mainstream of the society. In this connection, the Dantewada district administration is organizing special self-employment based training sessions for the surrendered youth at the Livelihood College.

A journey from devastation to development
is a living example of this transformation: 27-year-old Vinod Kursam. A resident of Kokera, a remote, rugged village in Bijapur district, Vinod's childhood was spent in poverty and fear. Due to lack of education, Vinod could only study until the fifth grade because his village school was blown up by Maoists. Cut off from basic amenities (roads, electricity, and education), Kokera village saw the rise of Naxalites 15-16 years ago. Vinod was inducted into the Children's Organization at a young age and later became the commander of the Chaurpalli RPC Jantana Sarkar. A
pledge for change:
Vinod admits that 16 precious years of his life were wasted in anti-social activities. But the government's development plans and rehabilitation policy changed his thinking. On January 15, 2026, Vinod, along with 30 of his comrades, surrendered and decided to start a new life. "When you wake up, it's dawn," Vinod Kursam said, "I don't want to give my children the life I lived." I want to make them responsible citizens. 
A new flight to self-reliance
Today, Vinod is learning the electrician trade at the Livelihood College in Dantewada. The smile on his face reflects his determination. His family consists of his parents, wife, and three sons (Babloo, Shrikant, and Nilesh). His eldest son is currently a Class 7 student at Bal Ashram Bardeli. After completing his training, Vinod wants to start a business repairing electrical appliances near his village. Vinod's story is an extraordinary success story of government policies.