Half of the surrendered
Naxalites who got married ceremoniously on Friday are among total 65 such
individuals employed by LMEL
Chief Minister Mr. Devendra
Fadnavis appreciates LMEL
Lloyds Metals and Energy
Ltd (LMEL) is not only greening Gadchiroli district and working on making the
Indian dream of 'Green Steel' a reality but also enhancing the Happiness Index
in the life of surrendered Naxalites. Half of the surrendered Naxalites whose
marriage was solemnised under Gadchiroli Police's ‘Project Sanjeevani’ on
Friday in Pandu Alam Sabhagruha in Gadchiroli Police Headquarters, are among 65
surrendered Naxalites given employment in LMEL.
During the historic mass
marriage ceremony in which surrendered Naxalites tied the nuptial knot in
presence of Hon'ble Chief Minister Mr. Devendra Fadnavis and Hon’ble Joint
Guardian Minister Adv. Ashish Jaiswal, LMEL supported the couples with
‘Mangalsutra’ and household items, and also made the marriage arrangements.
This was in tune with LMEL's core operating value – empowerment of people.
Hon’ble Chief Minister of
Maharashtra Mr. Devendra Fadnavis also appreciated LMEL. Speaking at the
felicitation ceremony of C-60 jawans in Gadchiroli, Mr. Fadnavis said, "I
congratulate Lloyds Metals for training and providing employment to the
surrendered Naxalites, which has increased their confidence. On the one hand,
Maharashtra Government has in place Naxal Surrender Policy, and on the other,
industries like Lloyds Metals are contributing to their rehabilitation. In the
future, we want to make Gadchiroli district a steel hub as well as an
employment-generating district."
“Being an equal opportunity
employer, LMEL has employed 65 surrendered Naxalites who are working in
different capacities in the company in Gadchiroli district. LMEL, which is the
flagship game-changing project in Eastern Maharashtra, has ushered in a new
dawn in the life of these surrendered Naxalites. We share their happiness,”
said Mr. B. Prabhakaran, Managing Director of LMEL, whose grand holistic
developmental vision and approach of being a father-figure to the surrendered
Naxalites has inspired the company’s support to their marriage.
Asin, one of the
surrendered Naxalites, still recalls the uncertainties and anxieties he had
faced during his life in the Naxalite fold. There are others like him whose
individual stories from their past may have different shades. But, what matters
for them now is the present that holds the promise for a bright future not only
for them but for their respective families. This was very much visible in the
smiles on their faces at the marriage ceremony. All this has become possible
for them because of LMEL’s initiative of providing them employment.
At present, 65 surrendered
Naxalites/Maoists are working with LMEL. Of them, 27 work in the Administration
Department, 29 in civil/constructions, and nine in Mechanical Department. Since
many of them had left their education mid-way and joined the Naxalite fold at a
very young age, they did not have requisite educational qualifications.
However, thanks to the humanitarian approach adopted by LMEL and recommendation
of Gadchiroli Police, LMEL decided to train the surrendered Maoists first and
then absorb them in the jobs suitable to their skill-sets. Accordingly, they
got trained at Lloyds Skill Development and Training Centre, Konsari. They
enjoyed every moment of systematic training in different trades and acquired
the skills very fast.
Now, they are very happy
and proud about living life meaningfully and being able to take good care of
their family’s needs. The dignity that their skill-sets have earned for them in
the company boosts their confidence. This has given them a positive outlook
towards life, professionalism, and development of Gadchiroli. These surrendered
Naxalites have become important drivers of change and contributors to the
developmental journey of Gadchiroli district. They have turned into the hands
that are constructively shaping the future of this district, which lagged
industrially for a long time.
The smile on the faces of
those who got married on Friday told the tale of a new dawn in Gadchiroli and
rising Happiness Index in their life.
