TFP Bureau, Raipur, July 4, 2025: Once silenced by the shadows of extremism and neglect, the remote village of Irkbhatti in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district is now witnessing a heartening transformation. After years of abandonment, the village’s primary school—once locked and forgotten—is once again echoing with the cheerful voices of children reciting A, B, C.
This remarkable revival has been made possible through the state government’s flagship ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ scheme, meaning Your Good Village, along with a rationalization drive that ensured equitable teacher deployment across the state. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, this initiative is reshaping lives in Maoist-affected and underserved regions.
Irkbhatti, nestled deep within Abujhmad, was long a victim of insurgency-induced isolation. Schools lay in ruins, children stayed home, and dreams were dimmed. “It felt like our children would never know what a school was,” recalls local resident Ramsai Kakadam. “But now, with the school reopened and teachers posted, it feels like the soul of the village has returned.”
Thanks to the government’s efforts, infrastructure has improved. A motorable road now connects Irkbhatti to nearby areas, electricity has reached homes, and—most importantly—the village’s primary school is functional again. Two committed teachers, Mr. Ashok Bhagat and Mrs. Leela Netam, are posted there and have become a beacon of hope for the villagers.
“Initially, I was afraid,” admits Mrs. Netam. “But the children’s smiles dissolve every fear. These children are bright and curious—they just needed a chance.” More than a dozen students are now enrolled, clutching their books with pride and walking into school with dreams in their eyes.
The enthusiasm is contagious. Parents now carry their children on their shoulders to school, a symbol of newfound hope. Elderly villagers, like Mangatu Bai, are moved to tears. “My granddaughter can now dream of becoming an officer,” she says. “We never thought we’d live to see this day.”
The story of Irkbhatti is emblematic of a broader transformation taking place in conflict-ridden areas across Chhattisgarh. Through the ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ scheme—focused on delivering government services to villages within a 5-kilometre radius of security camps—and the rationalization of teaching staff, the state is lighting the path toward inclusive development and sustainable peace.
What was once a forgotten village is now a symbol of revival—and the light of education that has returned to Irkbhatti is here to stay.
