A literacy programme has been launched under ‘Project Sanjeevani’ to help these Maoists take their first steps toward education and skill development. (File photo)For Vanita Zure alias Ghitso, who has spent over two decades of her adult life in the jungle as a Maoist, the classroom felt like a new world.“It’s only been two days since I started studying again, but it feels good,” says 55-year-old, Zure, who joined the movement on March 22, 1993, and finally surrendered on February 3, 2025.Zure is among the 106 surrendered Maoists in Maharshtra’s Gadchiroli who are going back to the classroom to begin a new chapter in their lives.A literacy programme has been launched under ‘Project Sanjeevani’ to help these Maoists take their first steps toward education and skill development.Spearheaded by Gadchiroli police in collaboration with the Zilla Parishad, the programme aims to prepare them to pass the Class 5 examination exam — the minimum qualification required to enroll in skill development programmes offered by Maharashtra government.“We wanted to give them a chance to stand on their own feet,” Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Neelotpal told The Indian Express.However, many of them never studied Class 2 or 3.“Some joined the movement as children, at the age of 10 or 11. Many were completely cut off from education,” he adds.Launched on September 8, these classes will run until September 21, after which participants will take a literacy test.The goal is to prepare them for the Class 5 exam in March or April.This year, Gadchiroli police came up with Project Sanjeevani under which surrendered Maoists will not only receive welfare benefits like the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana, disability schemes, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana but are also being supported in building homes on plots they received under the state surrender policy.“In Gadchiroli, a 100 sq ft land is very precious,” Neelotpal says.“We are helping them build row houses with a mix of government aid, surrender package funds, and their own savings from daily wage work or jobs,” the SP adds.“Through the Maharashtra State Skill Development Corporation (MSSDS), there are opportunities for training in welding, fitting, mechanics, and other trades,” he says.Yet, the heart of the project lies in education.The police tied up with the education department to plan a two-week literacy programme, with classes being held in the Eklavya Hall of police headquarters itself.The morning sessions are for women and men who have evening work shifts, and evening classes for those who work during the day.Over 60 surrendered cadres already work at Lloyds Metal. Once they get their certificates, they will be ready for similar opportunities or even self-employment.‘Won’t stop learning after exam’Nangsu alias Giridhar Tumreti, surrendered on June 22, 2024, a move that has been described by security officials as an ‘operational game-changer’ for them, which has crippled the Maoist movement. His decision to leave the Maoist ranks has since encouraged 52 more cadres in Gadchiroli to lay down their arms.Tumreti can now be spotted in a classroom learning with excitement.“I had failed my Class 5 exam, but now I am preparing to take it again, and I won’t stop learning even after that,” he says with determination. “I want to get a job in the future, and studying is important, not just for work but to understand the world around us and the country we live in.”For Tumreti, this second chance at education feels like a turning point.“In my childhood, my parents didn’t focus much on our education. They sent me to graze cattle or work in the fields. There were no schools or roads nearby, so I dropped out. At that time, none of us understood the value of education. But now I do.”Tumreti’s wife, Sangeeta alias Janaki Usendi (39), followed a similar path.She joined the Maoist movement in 2002 and surrendered in June 2024.Story continues below this adNow, for the first time in decades, she has returned to a classroom. “I left school to join the party,” she says softly.“My wish is to improve my sewing skills. I already know a little. I used to mend torn clothes in the party camps. Here, with proper training, I hope to get my own sewing machine and earn a living through tailoring.”Anju alias Janita Jadle (32), from Bhurekasa village, had studied till Class 6 before joining the Maoist ranks in 2007.She surrendered in September 2024 and is now determined to pick up the threads of an education left behind nearly two decades ago.Story continues below this ad“For years, I worked on the party’s press team, printing magazines and newsletters,” Anju recalls.“My goal is to pass the 10th standard first,” she says confidently, adding, “Then I would like to find a job, ideally something related to computers.”‘Everyone is excited to study again’According to the 2011 Census, Gadchiroli’s literacy rate stands at 74 per cent.“But there is still a significant number of people who remain illiterate, and many of them are surrendered Maoists,” Secondary Education Officer Vasudev Bhuse told The Indian Express.Story continues below this ad“We got a list of 106 surrendered cadres through the police department who are keen to take up skill development training but do not meet the minimum qualification requirement,” Bhuse says.“ We have categorised them according to their current level of education: those who have cleared Class 1 and 2 will appear for the Class 5 examination, those who’ve cleared Class 6 will be placed in Class 8 exams, and those at Class 7, 8, or 9 levels will attempt the Class 10 exam,” he adds.“The response is heartening, everyone is excited to study again, and we can see genuine enthusiasm to learn,” he adds.According to officials, the idea came from our need to make skill development programmes, like tailoring, and two and four-wheeler mechanic training, accessible to surrendered Maoists. “However, these courses require a minimum qualification of passing Class 5, and in some cases, even Class 8,” Chandrakant Shelke, PSI, Civic Action, Gadchiroli Police said.Story continues below this ad“The aim is to bring them to a point where they can read, write, and speak confidently, and we will help them progress through higher grades based on their aspirations,” he added.Starting from scratchThe challenge is that most of them speak Gondi as their first language, while Marathi and Hindi are only partially understood and spoken, Shelke says.“We are essentially teaching them from scratch, just like we would teach young children, and at the same time trying to spark their interest in learning. It’s not easy, but their eagerness makes it worthwhile,” he adds.“Some even want to pursue higher education. This shows that after decades of conflict and isolation, there’s a real hunger for knowledge among them,” Shelke opined.