- Security Camps Transformed into ‘Seva Deras’ (Service Hubs) to Extend Government Schemes to Remote Villages
In the villages of Bastar—once isolated from basic amenities due to Naxalite violence and challenging geographical terrain—a new, golden chapter of development and trust is being written. Areas that were once overshadowed by fear have now seen their security camps evolve into hubs for development and public service. An ambitious initiative is underway to transform approximately 200 security camps—established across Naxal-affected regions of Bastar—into ‘Veer Shaheed Gundadhur Seva Deras’ (Service Hubs). In the first phase, 70 of these camps are being converted into such service centers. Today, this initiative has become a vital support system for the villagers of Bastar, providing access to digital services, banking, skill training, and self-employment opportunities.
- Bastar Joins the Mainstream of Development
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Bastar is making rapid progress. The Chief Minister notes that, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and driven by the firm resolve of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Bastar is now shedding the influence of Naxalism. The government’s primary objective is to elevate the region into one of the nation’s leading, developed tribal areas. Through the ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ (Our Good Village) scheme, essential infrastructure—including roads, electricity, drinking water, education, and healthcare—is being extended to the most remote corners. Furthermore, initiatives in agriculture, animal husbandry, and irrigation are consistently boosting the incomes of the local villagers. Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera: A Symbol of Good Governance and Public Trust
On May 18, 2026, Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah, inaugurated the country’s first ‘Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera’ (Public Facilitation Centre) within the CRPF camp premises in Netanar, Bastar district. The scope of this initiative is now being rapidly expanded. Netanar is the historic birthplace of the great Bastar folk hero, Shaheed Veer Gundadhur. During the historic ‘Bhumkal’ rebellion of 1910, Gundadhur raised his voice against the exploitative British colonial rule, fighting for tribal identity, self-respect, and the rights to their water, forests, and land. Today, this ‘Seva Dera’—established on that very historic soil—has become a new hub for the self-reliance and modern development of the tribal community.
- Access to Various Government Services Under One Roof
Previously, villagers in Bastar had to travel long distances for even minor tasks, such as obtaining an Aadhaar card, opening a bank account, or securing caste and residence certificates. Now, through the ‘Seva Dera,’ these services are available right near their villages. Digital services—including Aadhaar enrollment and updates, KYC, linking mobile numbers, and obtaining online documents like birth/death, income, and caste certificates—are now accessible locally.
- Banking Services (Bank Sakhis)
Women are being trained as ‘Bank Sakhis’ (banking associates), enabling them to provide essential banking services—such as cash withdrawals, deposits, and account opening—directly within the village. These centers also facilitate access to basic amenities, including health consultations, Anganwadi services, and primary education.
- Economic Revolution Driven by Women’s Self-Help Groups
The ‘Seva Dera’ has emerged as an excellent platform for connecting local resources and traditional skills with the market. In Netanar, women from the ‘Gundadhur Women’s Self-Help Group’ are processing tamarind to produce high-quality tamarind pulp. Lambi Nag, a member of the group, explains that by engaging in this work, women are on a path to earning an annual income of up to one lakh rupees. Similarly, life has become easier for rural women like Sukhdevi, who no longer need to travel long distances to get an Aadhaar card made for her young daughter.
By preserving local traditions—such as processing rice using the dhenki (a traditional husking lever)—women are generating additional income, while the rice husk is being utilized as animal feed. Furthermore, women are being empowered to become self-reliant through a tailoring training center.
- Bastar Connects with Modern Markets and Improved Packaging
Professional institutions are now being engaged to help these products gain global recognition. Recently, a team from the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, visited Netanar to assess the tailoring, tamarind processing, and traditional dhenki operations, while also discussing attractive packaging and branding for the products. This will provide an opportunity for products created by the rural women of Bastar to reach both national and international markets.
The journey—from the establishment of security camps to the creation of Seva Deras (service centers) on the sacred land of Shaheed Gundadhur—serves as proof that strong political will, visionary policies, and administrative diligence can transform even the most remote regions. This transformation represents more than just physical development; it marks the dawn of a new era of prosperity and self-confidence in the lives of every citizen of Bastar.