To end Naxalism, target Gen X of tribals with education, support
Recently, the Central Government has sanctioned a large monetary package for the development of these Naxal affected areas. This development work will generate jobs which, the children and youth passing out from these schools can easily pick.
IT IS agreed that the tribals in the Naxal affected areas have been short changed by the state and the Naxals are spuriously claiming that they are fighting for their cause. Nevertheless the people, who are really worst affected in a big way are the generation next. There are hardly any schools of repute functional here. The young tribal children have no option but either to go to nondescript schools or remain illiterate. This suits Maoists because these uneducated children and youth in absence of any jobs have no option but to join the ranks of the Naxal fighters. This also ensures support of their parents and the Naxal base continues to expand. However, if the state targets these children and gives them good education not only will the state win the hearts and minds of the local tribal’s but also wean away the support base of the Naxals. With this support denied the security forces will be able to effectively finish off this Naxal menace. However with the corrupt bureaucracy and police which allowed the situation to detoriate to such an extent in these areas, this is a very tall order.
Situation is further compounded by the fact that in some of these states the politicians are actually hobnobbing with Maoists or taking their help in winning elections. Recently, when the central Government suggested to the states about forming a joint command and taking Army officers as advisors only four of these seven states agreed. Some of the States are actually creating the din of helplessness against Maoists activities just to garner release of more funds from centre. These additional funds will be then unaccounted for because the states will show them as expanded in fighting the Naxals.
In this milieu to expect these states, with some of them being governed by different political parties then the party in power in centre, to follow a uniform policy toward educating and rehabilitating the children of the local tribal’s is asking for moon. Need of the hour is for the Central Government to take on this task itself with the help of the armed forces and ex- servicemen.
Armed Forces have an Education Corps which educates its Jawans and helps them obtain degrees. Large numbers of ex-servicemen are available from this corps and other organizations, whose services can be obtained. At comparatively safer locations in these Naxal affected states, public schools on the lines of Army Public Schools should be opened with good boarding and lodging facilities. The children of the local tribals should be educated in large numbers here free of cost. This will give a big morale boost to their parents. They will start realizing that the state is now not neglecting them. It is best way to say sorry to them for their neglect and win their hearts and minds. Unlike other schools the curriculum in these schools must be so designed that it is vocational-cum-academic. In other words those parents, who want their kids to take on jobs after the basic education should not be disappointed. Similarly those parents, who want their wards to pursue higher studies should also be encouraged. Since these schools will be run directly under the care of the Central government the management of these schools will be uniform and misuse of funds by the state bureaucracy will be avoided. This is very much possible and skeptics if any should pay a visit to the Ramakrishna Mission School for tribal girls run at Teju in Arunachal Pradesh. All that is needed is political will and imagination.
Recently, the Central Government has sanctioned a large monetary package for the development of these Naxal affected areas. This development work will generate jobs in future which these children and youth passing out from these schools can easily pick up. It is time that we realize that children of these areas are our best assets, who in future can positively and once for all negate the Maoists influence.
Situation is further compounded by the fact that in some of these states the politicians are actually hobnobbing with Maoists or taking their help in winning elections. Recently, when the central Government suggested to the states about forming a joint command and taking Army officers as advisors only four of these seven states agreed. Some of the States are actually creating the din of helplessness against Maoists activities just to garner release of more funds from centre. These additional funds will be then unaccounted for because the states will show them as expanded in fighting the Naxals.
In this milieu to expect these states, with some of them being governed by different political parties then the party in power in centre, to follow a uniform policy toward educating and rehabilitating the children of the local tribal’s is asking for moon. Need of the hour is for the Central Government to take on this task itself with the help of the armed forces and ex- servicemen.
Armed Forces have an Education Corps which educates its Jawans and helps them obtain degrees. Large numbers of ex-servicemen are available from this corps and other organizations, whose services can be obtained. At comparatively safer locations in these Naxal affected states, public schools on the lines of Army Public Schools should be opened with good boarding and lodging facilities. The children of the local tribals should be educated in large numbers here free of cost. This will give a big morale boost to their parents. They will start realizing that the state is now not neglecting them. It is best way to say sorry to them for their neglect and win their hearts and minds. Unlike other schools the curriculum in these schools must be so designed that it is vocational-cum-academic. In other words those parents, who want their kids to take on jobs after the basic education should not be disappointed. Similarly those parents, who want their wards to pursue higher studies should also be encouraged. Since these schools will be run directly under the care of the Central government the management of these schools will be uniform and misuse of funds by the state bureaucracy will be avoided. This is very much possible and skeptics if any should pay a visit to the Ramakrishna Mission School for tribal girls run at Teju in Arunachal Pradesh. All that is needed is political will and imagination.
Recently, the Central Government has sanctioned a large monetary package for the development of these Naxal affected areas. This development work will generate jobs in future which these children and youth passing out from these schools can easily pick up. It is time that we realize that children of these areas are our best assets, who in future can positively and once for all negate the Maoists influence.
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