Nagpur: Arvinda Barsagade was just four months old when her father left home to join Sironcha Dalam in south Gadchiroli, at a time when the insurgency was at its peak. For someone who grew up hearing gunfire and grenade blasts, Arvinda is now watching a different future take shape — one built on education and work.At 20, she is a diploma-holder in civil engineering and a trainee at Lloyds Metals and Energy’s LT Gondwana Skill Hub Pvt Ltd in Hedri. Her story is proof that a district once defined by Maoist violence, bloodshed and backwardness can become a green steel hub, bringing hope for tribals who had seen little development for eight decades since Independence.Her father, Rajababu, also known as Kiran or Samayyaya, worked as a peon at Narayanpur gram panchayat in the early 2000s. Villagers later complained to Maoists that he was collecting excess house tax. Public humiliation and mounting pressure followed, and in 2005 he was compelled to join Sironcha Dalam.Arvinda’s mother, Lata, briefly took up a peon’s job in Sironcha, but left after facing repercussions linked to her husband’s past. She raised Arvinda—then her only child—by taking up odd jobs.Arvinda began school in Bhogapur, joining Class I there. In 2010, Rajababu surrendered before Gadchiroli police, and the family shifted closer to the district police headquarters. Arvinda continued her schooling in Gadchiroli town, cleared Class 10 and completed Class 11 and 12 in arts during Covid pandemic.Initially inspired by advocate and political activist Kavita Moharkar, she wanted to study law. She later chose a technical path, enrolling in a govt polytechnic in Gadchiroli and completing a diploma in civil engineering in 2025.Police officers who regularly engage with children of surrendered cadres became part of her journey. Sub-inspector Narendra Piwal from Gadchiroli police welfare wing took note when she sought a laptop for her studies. She later received a tablet from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at a programme for surrendered Maoists — support she says helped her continue learning.Moharkar subsequently helped her connect with Lloyds human resources team. On Dec 1, 2025, Arvinda joined as a trainee at LT Gondwana Skill Hub in Hedri, where she had earlier worked as a supervisor. The initiative is linked to Lloyds Metals and Energy’s iron ore and steel expansion in Hedri and Konsari, part of the investment wave that followed the weakening of four decades of Maoist control in the region.“The end of Maoist violence paved the way for development. Earlier, fear kept investors, ministers and officials away from interiors of the district. As the rebel threat waned, companies such as Lloyds arrived. Young people no longer have to leave Gadchiroli for work; jobs are coming to them,” Arvinda said.She now plans to pursue a BTech and, once settled, wants to give back, especially by helping create skill-training opportunities for local youth.Gadchiroli SP M Ramesh has stepped up implementation of the rehabilitation policy for former Maoists. Referring to Arvinda’s journey, he said, “Now, Gadchiroli is a place where a girl left behind in a Maoist-affected village as an infant can work at a construction site and talk about the next course, the next job, and a quieter family life.”
