25 October,2025 05:26 PM IST | Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondent
Since the initiative began in 2023, 72 libraries have already been established, benefitting over 8,500 students and villagers, police said. Pic/Gadchiroli Police
The Gadchiroli Police in Maharashtra, under the 'One Village, One Library' initiative, on Saturday launched by the 73rd public library at Mouza Wangeturi, under the jurisdiction of the Wangeturi Police Post, in the Hedri Sub-Division, officials said.
According to the Gadchiroli Police, the inauguration ceremony was conducted at the hands of Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli, Neelotpal, in the presence of senior officers and local residents.
The event began with a book procession (Granth Dindi), in which hundreds of students and villagers enthusiastically participated, wearing traditional attire and playing folk instruments to promote reading culture and respect for books.
This new library has been built through community effort and voluntary labour (Shramdaan), with active participation from Gadchiroli Police, CRPF, SRPF personnel, and local citizens. The well-equipped facility includes a study room, bookshelves, seating arrangements, and other basic amenities, aimed at helping students prepare for competitive examinations and encouraging reading habits in remote areas, police said.
It said that more than 500 residents attended the ceremony. Speaking at the event, SP Neelotpal encouraged students and citizens to make maximum use of the library and stated that the police are committed not only to fighting Maoist extremism but also to ensuring the all-round development of the district's citizens.
Since the initiative began in 2023, 72 libraries have already been established, benefitting over 8,500 students and villagers. So far, 205 students from these regions have successfully secured government jobs through various competitive examinations. Notably, in the last five years, no youth from Gadchiroli has joined any Maoist group, a positive outcome attributed to community-based police initiatives like this one.
The event was attended by Additional Superintendent of Police (Aheri) Satya Sai Karthik, Additional SP (Administration) Gokul Raj G, Assistant Commandant CRPF 191 Battalion Manoj Kumar, SDPO Hedri Yogesh Ranjankar, and PI Dilip Khadatre (In-charge, Wangeturi Police Post), along with several local leaders, journalists, school students, and villagers, the police said.
The success of this event was made possible through the dedicated efforts of Assistant Commandant Manoj Kumar, PI Dilip Khadatre, PSIs Kishor Sadulwar, Aba Kale, Civil Action Officer PSI Chandrakant Shelke, and staff from Wangeturi Police, CRPF, SRPF, and the district police force, an official said.
