Raipur: Puvarti, the native village of slain Maoist commander Hidma and once among the most dreaded places in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, has emerged as the first village in the district to complete the initial phase of census enumeration, achieving the feat in just three days. Located in the remote Konta block, Puvarti now stands as a symbol of changing ground realities in south Bastar, where governance is slowly reclaiming space once dominated by insurgency.
A Milestone of Trust and Change
The achievement is not merely an administrative milestone but a marker of shifting dynamics in the region. Enumerator Jayesh Patel, an assistant teacher, accomplished the task by covering the entire village, home to more than 950 people living in 234 households, ensuring every family was accounted for. Sukma collector Amit Kumar felicitated Patel for completing the task in record time.
Overcoming Challenges
For Patel, the assignment came with its own set of challenges. Puvarti, like many villages in the region, is geographically remote and linguistically distinct. "The biggest hurdle was communication," Patel said, referring to his limited understanding of the local Gondi dialect. "But I saw this not as a difficulty, but as an opportunity to serve," he added. With support from local schoolteachers, Patel worked to bridge the language gap, going door-to-door and often navigating difficult terrain. Gradually, he came to understand the village's social fabric.
A Sign of Growing Trust
Patel noted that the successful completion of the exercise in such a short span reflects the growing sense of trust among villagers, something that was hard to imagine until a few years ago. Puvarti was once counted among the villages worst-hit by insurgency, where government presence was almost nonexistent and access to basic services remained limited. With intensified security operations and sustained administrative outreach, the village has now begun to witness tangible changes.
