Tenure:January 2011 - May 2013 (2 years 5 months)
He worked on improving healthcare infrastructure and skill development for tribal youth in naxal-affected areas while facilitating Army recruitment rallies for local youth.
Serving as the Collector of Bastar, one of the most challenging regions in Chhattisgarh, was both a tremendous responsibility and an opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. The Bastar region, which is often characterized by its dense forests, rich tribal culture, and unfortunately, Naxalite insurgency, presented numerous challenges. My primary mission during my tenure was to address some of the most pressing issues faced by the local communities, such as healthcare, skill development, and livelihood generation.
Bastar has always been a land of resilience, but its remote location has made access to basic services a significant challenge. One of the key areas of focus during my tenure was to improve healthcare infrastructure. I worked closely with the health department to strengthen the region’s healthcare facilities, particularly in interior areas where the reach of government services was minimal. We facilitated the establishment of mobile health units that could navigate these tough terrains to provide medical services to tribal communities. I will never forget the impact of setting up regular health camps in some of the most inaccessible areas—seeing people finally receive treatment and vaccines they desperately needed was one of the most fulfilling moments of my career.
In addition to healthcare, I knew that skill development for the tribal youth was key to breaking the cycle of poverty and providing a sense of purpose. Many of the young people in Bastar are filled with potential but lack opportunities to build meaningful livelihoods. We launched several skill development programs aimed at training the youth in trades like carpentry, tailoring, and mechanics—skills that could offer them a way to earn a stable income and improve their standard of living. Partnering with local organizations and NGOs, we ensured that the training programs were both culturally sensitive and practically useful, enabling participants to find employment or start their own small businesses
One of the standout initiatives I was part of was the coordination of an Army Recruitment Rally in Bastar in 2012. This was an event that, until then, had never been organized in this region. The idea was to provide local tribal youth an opportunity to serve in the Indian Army, a prospect that many of them were enthusiastic about but had never had the means to pursue. Collaborating with the Army Recruitment Office in Raipur, we managed to hold the rally, and the response was overwhelming. The event led to the selection of 126 tribal youths, which was a groundbreaking achievement for the region. It wasn’t just about employment; it was about giving these young men a sense of pride, identity, and purpose. This initiative proved to be so impactful that the state government later launched similar initiatives across the state, helping thousands of youth join the armed forces and other security services.
Bastar’s journey is not an easy one, and the challenges are still numerous. However, I strongly believe that the key to true development lies in ensuring that opportunities reach the grassroots. By empowering the youth, improving healthcare, and creating new avenues for livelihood, we were able to make a small but significant difference in the lives of the people of Bastar. It was not just about implementing projects; it was about instilling hope in a community that has faced adversity for far too long.