A true story from Puspal village, Dantewada, Chhattisgarh
The skies over Puspal, a small tribal village in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, were dark and heavy. The roads were broken, schools were shut, and violence had become a part of everyday life. Most people had lost faith in the government. For them, development was just a word, not something real.
But in 2017, a young IAS officer, Saurabh Kumar, came to Dantewada as District Collector. What he saw was heartbreaking: villages cut off from the rest of the world, children who had never held a pencil, and no basic facilities like light, clean water, or proper schools.
Most would have seen it as a hopeless situation. But he didn’t.
Walking with Hope
Instead of sitting in his office, Saurabh started walking—literally. He visited the most remote villages on foot, often without security. In Puspal, he found a broken Anganwadi centre, no teachers, and children working in fields instead of learning in classrooms.
He launched a campaign called “Chhoo Lo Aasman” (Touch the Sky) to bring tribal children back to school.
Changing Lives, Step by Step
The plan was simple and local:
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Youth from the villages were trained to teach children.
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Solar lights were installed so classes could be held after dark.
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Folk songs and plays in local languages were used to explain the value of education.
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Even former Maoists were brought in to help build roads and support the cause.
With time, the change was visible.
For the first time, the children of Puspal had a working classroom, regular meals, and dreams beyond their village. One girl, Sukki, even topped a district-level exam. Until then, she had never seen a map of India.
Hope Restores Dignity
People started believing again—because someone cared enough to show up, listen, and act. Saurabh Kumar brought more than schemes and files. He brought hope—the kind that is seen in small steps, quiet actions, and sincere efforts.
Conclusion
In places like Puspal, where the sky seemed forever grey with fear and neglect, hope became the only way forward. And that hope came in the form of a determined officer who believed in walking with the people, not just governing them.
“When the sky is grey, hope is the way” is not just a saying—it is a truth that lives in every forgotten corner waiting for someone to believe and begin.