The transformation of Indiaโs Naxal-affected regions is not only a testament to the efforts of security forces but also to the enduring commitment of NMDC Limited through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The company’s sustained investment in education, infrastructure, and skill development has played a pivotal role in bringing communities back into the mainstream, empowering generations through access to opportunity.
A shining example of this transformation is the Science Centre in Dantewada, funded by NMDC, which was recently lauded by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat address. Once a conflict zone, Dantewada now houses a hub of innovation where students and parents engage with technologies like 3D printing and robotics, fostering a culture of curiosity and hands-on learning.
As Indiaโs largest iron ore producer and a Navratna PSU, NMDC has invested over โน690 crore in educational initiatives over the past two decades, positively impacting over one lakh students annually in Chhattisgarh and Karnataka. In total, more than โน2,600 crore has been spent across key sectors such as education, skill development, and infrastructure, building not just facilities but a robust ecosystem of opportunities for marginalized communities.
โBy increasing our CSR contribution in education year after year, we are not just educating individualsโwe are uplifting families, generations, and entire societies. Initiatives like Astha Gurukul, Saksham Schools, and ITIs in Bhansi and Nagarnar are forming the educational backbone of rural India where NMDC operates,โ said Shri Amitava Mukherjee, CMD, NMDC.
In regions like Bastar, where children, especially young girls, once walked miles to attend temporary schools under trees, NMDCโs intervention has brought about a visible change. Today, they learn in well-equipped classrooms.
With more than Rs 690 crore spent solely on education over the past two decades, the development of regions such as Bastar, Dantewada, and Bellary has seen NMDC walking alongside every step of the way.
Astha Gurukul, a residential school initiative by NMDC, has educated over 12,000 students so far affected by extremism. It’s the first school in the region to follow the CBSE syllabus, providing quality education to these students.
At the Saksham Campus, a first-of-its-kind, 100% specially-abled facility, visually and hearing-impaired children are no longer left behind. Their classrooms are filled not just with aids and materials tailored to their needs, but also with the hope of a new future. The campus offers inclusive facilities, including dedicated group hearing rooms and sign language symbols on steps. The ‘Hoslon Ki Udaan’ initiative promotes holistic development through sports and art, benefiting over 4,000 students to date
NMDC has partnered with teh Chhattisgarh government to create physical infrastructure across the region like the Education City at Geedam, Dantewada, expanding across 150 acres, a single campus offering primary education to professional courses, including Polytechnic College
In addition to the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Nagarnar, which has trained 225 individuals, and Bhansi, which has supported around 1,500, the Polytechnic College in Dantewada is helping rural youth acquire industry-relevant skills. Many students have secured employment with companies such as Bajaj Ltd., Ashok Leyland, and Krishna Maruti.
The Balika Shiksha Yojana, which began with support for 25 tribal girls in nursing, has now reached nearly 583 beneficiaries. It currently operates at more than thrice its initial capacity, with plans for further expansion. Residential schools established in Nagarnar and Bastar have opened access to formal education for many first-generation learners.
As part of its ongoing CSR initiatives, NMDC has developed educational infrastructure, including smart classrooms, laboratories, sports facilities, and libraries. Dropout rates are being addressed through support for mid-day meal schemes, benefitting around 8,000 children annually. Additionally, NMDCโs Education Improvement Programmes have supported 4,367 students, including 2,027 girls so far.
Through initiatives like Balika Shiksha Sahyog Yojana, NMDC provides upto 18,000 scholarships annually. To date, more than 1.5 lakh scholarships have been provided to students.
Key Educational Initiatives by NMDC
- Astha Gurukul
A residential school initiative providing CBSE curriculum education to children affected by extremism. Over 12,000 students have benefitted so far, making it a beacon of quality education in the region. - Saksham Campus
Indiaโs first 100% specially-abled educational facility, catering to visually and hearing-impaired children with specialized classrooms, sign language-marked infrastructure, and inclusive teaching tools. Over 4,000 students have been supported through its Hoslon Ki Udaan program promoting sports and arts. - Education City at Geedam, Dantewada
Spread over 150 acres, this pioneering campus offers education from primary schooling to professional degrees, including a Polytechnic Collegeโa partnership between NMDC and the Chhattisgarh government. - Skill Development Initiatives
The ITIs in Bhansi and Nagarnar have trained over 1,700 youth in industry-relevant skills. The Polytechnic College in Dantewada has helped students secure employment in firms like Bajaj Ltd., Ashok Leyland, and Krishna Maruti. - Balika Shiksha Yojana
Initially supporting 25 tribal girls in nursing, this initiative has now expanded to benefit 583 girls, operating at three times its original capacity, with further expansion planned. - Residential Schools
Established in Nagarnar and Bastar, these schools have enabled access to formal education for first-generation learners from tribal and marginalized communities. - Smart Infrastructure and Support Systems
NMDC has developed smart classrooms, science labs, libraries, sports infrastructure, and mid-day meal support benefitting 8,000 children annually. The Education Improvement Programme alone has supported 4,367 students, including 2,027 girls. - Scholarship and Financial Aid
Through the Balika Shiksha Sahyog Yojana, NMDC offers up to 18,000 scholarships annually, having awarded over 1.5 lakh scholarships till date.
The story of development in Naxal-hit regions like Dantewada, Bastar, and Bellary is, in many ways, the story of NMDC walking hand-in-hand with the community. By turning conflict-ridden areas into centers of learning and hope, NMDC Limited has demonstrated that inclusive growth and grassroots transformation are achievable when industry and society come together for a common cause.
