Latest news with #KunalDudawat
New Indian Express
21-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Cold chain and irradiation facility in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada to boost tribal earnings
RAIPUR: In a first-of-its-kind initiative carrying prospects to augment tribal incomes and reduce post-harvest losses, the Dantewada district administration in south Chhattisgarh is establishing an integrated cold chain and multi-product food irradiation facility at Patarras village. The cutting-edge infrastructure first government-led facility of its kind in India under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) —is going a long way to transform how forest and horticultural produce is stored, processed, and marketed in the Bastar region. Dantewada and surrounding districts are home to abundant Minor Forest Produce (MFP) such as tamarind, mahua, wild mango, millets, and indigenous spices, among others. The sorry state of affairs remains that 10-20 per cent of these produce are either perished or lost annually due to the lack of proper storage to reduce the risk of spoilage, preservation process and value addition infrastructure. An effective solution has now been followed to minimise such losses. The land acquisition has been completed, and an agreement has been signed with the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology for irradiation technology. The facility is scheduled to become operational in the district. The new beneficial facility addresses the critical need by combining cold storage, gamma irradiation, processing, and logistics infrastructure to extend shelf life, reduce spoilage, and improve the marketability of local products. The Dantewada administration has already identified markets for the locals in Raipur, Visakhapatnam and other key locations. 'This is the first such government-led initiative in the country under PMKSY. The service or convenience is not just an infrastructure project -- it's a game-changer for tribal livelihoods. It will help our forest produce collectors and farmers get better prices, reduce wastage, and participate in larger markets. Over time, it will energise the rural economy of Bastar and create a value chain that truly belongs to the people here,' Kunal Dudawat, Dantewada Collector, told TNIE. By reducing losses and enhancing profitability, it will increase incomes for tribal producers and create scope of local employment across the supply chain. The entire project is funded by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) in Dantewada. The government stated that keeping value addition within the region will ensure that more income stays with the Bastar tribal communicates who produce it. The initiative is also aligned with regional development strategies to minimise left-wing extremism by expanding access to sustainable livelihoods.
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Tendulkar Foundation to develop 50 playgrounds in Maoist-affected Dantewada
Raipur: The Dantewada administration in Chhattisgarh has decided to develop 50 playgrounds under the Maidan Cup initiative in collaboration with the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation and the Mann Deshi Foundation in the Maoist-affected district. So far, 20 playgrounds have been completed through active community participation, and the remaining 30 are expected to be ready by October. 'This project is not just about sports infrastructure — it's about rebuilding lives, empowering youth, and giving Dantewada a new future,' said district collector, Dantewada, Kunal Dudawat. Inspired by the Bastar Olympics 2024, the Maidan Cup was launched to connect children and youth from remote areas to mainstream opportunities through sport, he added. The first phase targets the construction of playgrounds in 50 villages, to be expanded to the entire district in subsequent phases. The playgrounds are being built on the campuses of government high schools, higher secondary schools, and porta-cabin schools using local materials, with each costing under ₹4 lakh. They include facilities for 13 sports items such as running, long jump, javelin throw, shot put, discus, and wall climbing. Local children have also contributed by painting the boundary walls, making the spaces more vibrant and personal. Rather than constructing the facilities unilaterally, the administration brought in community support and iconic names like Sachin Tendulkar to generate enthusiasm among the youth. 'Our goal is to see the next generation of sports stars — like Tendulkar or Neeraj Chopra — emerge from Bastar,' Dudawat added. To further encourage quality development, panchayats creating the best playgrounds under the initiative will be rewarded with a skating park. In addition, work has begun on a residential sports city in Dantewada, which will offer specialised training and advanced facilities including grounds for cricket, football, and hockey, along with swimming pools and athlete housing. 'This is the first time India is witnessing a grassroots movement led by communities to build playgrounds for children,' said Divya Sinha of the Mann Deshi Foundation. 'We want Dantewada and Bastar to be known for climbing walls and skateboards — not conflict.' She noted that around 70% of Indian schools lack proper sports infrastructure, and over 500 million Indians have never played a sport. 'In Dantewada, many children have never had a safe space to run, play, or just be kids. But that's changing now.' So far, playgrounds in villages like Chhindnar, Kasoli, and Heetameta have been completed, directly benefiting around 10,000 children. Under the Foundation's travel coach programme, over 100 government school sports teachers have been trained in Dantewada — part of a broader vision that has already trained 1,700 teachers in Maharashtra. Prabhat Sinha from the Mann Deshi Foundation emphasised the community's active role in the initiative. 'More than 150 villagers — including teachers, farmers, labourers, and children — have come together to build these playgrounds with pride,' he said. Following its success in Dantewada, the Maidan Cup initiative is set to expand to other districts such as Jashpur — the home district of Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai — and Raigarh.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Sachin Tendulkar's Foundation sparks change with Dantewada's Maidan Cup
In the volatile Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, a bold sports initiative is transforming lives. The Sachin Tendulkar Foundation (STF), in partnership with the Mann Deshi Foundation and backed by the district administration, has launched the Maidan Cup Competition. Fifty playgrounds are being carved from barren lands across 50 villages, giving over 10,000 underprivileged children — 40% of them girls — a platform to play and grow. The aim is not just to foster talent but also to offer a constructive outlet in a region long scarred by naxalism. Where there was once silence, now echoes of laughter fill the air!🌱⚽️🏏 With the Maidan Cup initiative, 50 villages in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh are turning open spaces into vibrant playgrounds—safe havens where over 10,000 children can play, grow, and dream without limits. This… — Sachin Tendulkar Foundation (STF) (@STF_India) May 27, 2025 District Collectors Mayank Chaturvedi and Kunal Dudawat have joined villagers to drive this grassroots effort. Organisers believe this initiative could help lower local crime rates by more than 20%, offering hope to communities caught in cycles of violence. The Maidan Cup signals a deeper shift toward gender equality and a brighter future. As village maidans come alive with the laughter and energy of children, Dantewada is proving that change can start with a game of sport.
India Gazette
27-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Sachin Tendulkar Foundation collaborates with Mann Deshi Foundation to introduce 'Maidan Cup Competition' in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada
New Delhi [India], May 27 (ANI): In the remote corners of Dantewada in Chhattisgarh, where shadows of a dark past and volatile present loom over the villagers, Sachin Tendulkar Foundation (STF) and the Mann Deshi Foundation are ushering in a new dawn. Coordinated efforts, with support from the district administration, are helping shape a sports-empowered future for children, one maidan at a time, as per a press release. STF, committed to empowering children through sports, in partnership with the Mann Deshi Foundation, have introduced-- the Maidan Cup Competition, to give underprivileged children a platform to perform. For this competition, a total of 50 playgrounds across 50 participating villages across the Dantewada district are being carved out of barren lands. Already in action, the initiative is coming to fruition with active support from the District Collectors Mayank Chaturvedi, Kunal Dudawat and the villagers. For villagers long affected by naxalism, their children getting some scope and exposure for development through sports, is a promising start in their overall stride towards a better future. Over 10,000 children are going to benefit from this initiative, with a projected 40 per cent participation from girls, signalling a paradigm shift in girl child empowerment and gender equality. Broader impact from the Maidan Cup is aimed at reducing the crime rates in conflict zones by around and above 20 per cent through sports programmes. With zeal and a unified spirit from all involved, including the villagers, a grassroots revolution is about to take shape in the conflict-ridden corners of Dantewada. (ANI)
New Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
How Maoist-affected Dantewada emerged as best performer in Class 10 boards in Chhattisgarh
DANTEWADA: Students in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada, a district long besieged by Maoists, have proven the phrase 'nothing succeeds like success' true with their incredible performance in this year's board examinations. Dantewada topped the state in Class 10 board exams this year with an impressive 94.45 overall pass percentage. Interestingly, state capital Raipur ranked 32 among all districts with 66.24 pass percentage. Dantewada ranked 6 in Class 12 exams. A short while ago, the district remained among the bottom five in terms of board exam results. Where fear ruled the forested terrain, academic failure was yet another worry. Dantewada collector Kunal Dudawat told TNIE that major issues such as the lack of teachers, poor attendance, no tracking of student performance, no preparation for exams and evaluation were addressed. "Several smart and focused strategies were adopted to improve school education," he added. The community, schools and administration have worked together to script the story of success. The magnificent results reflect not only the hard work of students, but the consistent coordinated efforts of teachers, principals, education department and the district administration. 'Potacabin' schools, 'Choo Lo Aasman', Jawanga education city met the vision of local educational needs.
