Reading as Resistance

Gadchiroli’s 73 public libraries, led by SP Neelotpal’s initiative, are transforming a conflict- scarred region by giving its youth their first real access to books, digital learning and opportunity

- ANIL SWARUP

Neelotpal's library revolution demonstrates how leadership rooted in compassion can open doors of opportunity even in India's most challenging districts

A young police officer, Neelotpal, was the proud recipient of the Nexus of Good Annual Award, 2025, for his initiative of setting up 73 public libraries in Gadchiroli, where he was posted as Superintendent of Police. These libraries have already had a profound impact on security and social stability.

Gadchiroli district, situated at the far eastern edge of Maharashtra, stands as one of the most geographically isolated and socioeconomically underdeveloped regions in the state. Over 76 per cent of its vast landmass is covered by dense forests and inhabited primarily by tribal communities. The district's remoteness, coupled with its complex security situation, has made it one of the six most Maoist-affected districts in India, as classified by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, in March 2025.

This persistent insurgency, combined with the district's challenging terrain, has gravely impeded infrastructure development, hindering the growth of transport, industry, healthcare, and education. Basic amenities such as paved roads, electricity, public transport, and telecommunication remain inadequate in many areas. In several interior villages, residents still walk long distances to access even basic services. Amid these constraints, education has suffered the most.

Schools in remote and conflict-affected regions are few, under-resourced, and often disrupted by security concerns. Many children, particularly girls, have to travel up to several kilometres to attend school, leading to high dropout rates. The absence of libraries, reading rooms, and digital learning facilities further limits access to knowledge, leaving young minds disconnected from the outside world and from opportunities available elsewhere.