The prime minister referenced the PTI story “From weapons to gills: How fish farming is remodeling former Naxalites in Jharkhand” printed on June 27, 2025.
In his 124th version of month-to-month Mann Ki Baat radio programme, Modi narrated the inspiring story of Om Prakash Sahu, a former Naxalite who deserted the trail of violence to turn into a profitable fish farmer and catalyst for change within the once-terror-struck Basia block.
“Typically essentially the most radiant mild emerges from the place darkness dwells essentially the most,” Modi stated through the 124th version of his radio handle.
The Prime Minister famous that the Basia block in Gumla was as soon as recognized for Maoist violence, with villages getting abandoned and other people residing in worry. Youth have been migrating as a result of lack of employment alternatives and vacant lands.
Modi stated the change started when Sahu determined to desert violence and begin fish farming. “Those that have been earlier holding weapons, have now taken up fishing nets,” he noticed. Regardless of going through preliminary protests and threats, Sahu's willpower remained agency. The launch of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) offered him with new power, authorities coaching and help in pond development, Modi stated. The initiative has led to a fisheries revolution in Gumla, with greater than 150 households of Basia block now engaged in fish farming. Many former Naxalite organisation members live respectfully in villages and offering employment to others, the PM famous.
“This journey of Gumla teaches us — if the trail is correct and there's belief within the thoughts, the lamp of improvement may be lit even in essentially the most tough circumstances,” Modi added.
The prime minister referenced the PTI story that explored how aquaculture initiatives are creating new pathways for rehabilitation and financial empowerment in Jharkhand.
Aside from Sahu, the PTI story highlighted transformative tales of former Naxalites Jyothi Lakra and Ishwar Gop.
Jyothi Lakra, 41, deserted Left-wing insurgency in 2002 and runs a fish feed mill that earned Rs 8,00,000 web revenue final yr beneath the PMMSY scheme. “Villagers needed to journey 150 km to purchase fish feed,” stated Lakra, who obtained Rs 18 lakh to arrange his mill in Basia block.
“So I made a decision to determine one domestically.” His mill now serves the complete group.
Ishwar Gop, 42, a former Naxalite who later joined the anti-Maoist Shanti Sena group, harvests eight quintals of fish yearly price Rs 2,50,000 from a authorities pond leased for Rs 1,100 per three years.
“I make a revenue of Rs 1,20,000 after bills,” stated Gop, who discovered fish farming extra worthwhile than farming his 25 acres. His transformation represents the whole ideological shift from insurgency to counter-insurgency to peaceable livelihood.
Gumla district was faraway from the Union Residence Ministry's record of Naxalite-affected areas in Might 2025, alongside Ranchi district, marking a big decline in Left-wing extremism within the area. PTI
