When 4,500 volunteers set out to transform Mandla in 2020, it was notorious for its low literacy rates and cyber fraud. It then became the first district in Madhya Pradesh to achieve 100 percent functional literacy.
Like Jamtara in Jharkhand, Mandla in Madhya Pradesh had gained a reputation for a troubling new breed of crime: online fraud. Organised networks of scammers operated with remarkable efficiency to rob the district’s poor, illiterate tribal people of their hard-earned money.
For years, the district, which lies close to Kanha National Park and within licking distance of Chhattisgarh, was not only notorious for its scams but also for its dismal literacy rate. According to a 2011 survey, only 67 percent of the population could read and write, with women making up the majority of those left behind.
Illiteracy was both a symptom and a cause of the district’s woes. Scammers preyed on those who couldn’t navigate basic banking operations, turning the region into a hotspot for financial exploitation.
Yet, despite this grim backdrop, Mandla recently achieved something extraordinary. The district is now the first in Madhya Pradesh to declare itself 100 percent functionally literate — a monumental shift for a place once steeped in ignorance and cybercrime.
This transformation did not happen overnight. It was the result of a coordinated effort led by a coalition of over 4,500 volunteers, who poured their time and energy into educating the district’s 1.76 lakh residents.
The turning point came in 2020 when district collector Harshita Singh launched an investigation into the spiralling fraud cases. She discovered that illiteracy was at the heart of the district’s vulnerability to scams.
To combat the rising tide of fraud, Singh spearheaded a literacy campaign.
“Our campaign aimed to make every resident functionally literate,” said Singh, now the director of the state’s skill development department. “Within two years, we’ve succeeded in transforming Mandla into a shining example of literacy, where people can confidently read, write and manage basic paperwork.”
Volunteers from all walks of life joined the effort. Anganwadi workers, local youth and even shopkeepers went door to door, conducting signature drives and enrolling people in literacy programmes. The district came alive with learning.
Makeshift classrooms sprang up in homes, under trees and in community halls. In all, 615 learning centres were established, reaching over 22,000 people. Although only 4,500 volunteers were officially registered, the entire community rallied behind the cause. After two years of relentless work, Mandla’s literacy rate soared.
“Tribal people frequently complained about financial fraud due to a lack of functional literacy. By addressing this issue, we’ve not only improved educational standards but also safeguarded our residents from exploitation,” said an official involved in the project.
The district’s rise in literacy has brought far-reaching benefits beyond education. The ability to read, write and handle basic banking operations has empowered residents, making them less susceptible to financial fraud.
A third-party survey confirmed Mandla’s accomplishment, marking a significant moment not just for the district but for Madhya Pradesh.
The path to this achievement wasn’t without its challenges, especially for the Baiga tribe — one of India’s most marginalised communities. Known for their deep connection to the land, the Baigas had long struggled to access quality education. Generations of poverty, large families, early marriages, inadequate schools and the remoteness of their villages contributed to a cycle of illiteracy that seemed impossible to break.
Government efforts, while well-intentioned, often fell short. “Many educational schemes have been introduced to increase the level of education and development for Baiga tribes,” said a local social worker, “but these efforts have not been successful at the required pace.”
Although policies like the Right to Education Act and the National Education Policy of 1986 raised awareness, progress in Baiga areas remained sluggish.
“The education system doesn’t fit their needs,” said an education expert. “It doesn’t provide the skills they need to find meaningful work or be a part of broader society.”
For many young Baigas, education seemed like a distant hope, disconnected from the realities of their daily lives. Without the practical skills necessary for economic development, many found themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty.
“To truly improve education for the Baigas,” a study on the tribe said, “we need to change our approach. Education should be adapted to their cultural context and focus on skills that help them build a sustainable future.”The literacy campaign made significant inroads. Volunteers worked to bring the Baiga people into the fold of education, offering them tools to navigate the modern world while maintaining their cultural roots.
The road ahead is still long. For the Baiga tribe and others like them, true empowerment will require education systems that are more adaptable to their unique circumstances, the social worker said. But Mandla’s success proves that change is possible — and that even in the most marginalised corners of the country, literacy can light the way toward a better future.
The lead image on top shows a group of school students during a class in Mandla. (Photo by Akansha Deshmukh)
Akansha Deshmukh is an independent investigative journalist with a rich background in uncovering the intricacies of crime, scams, corruption, and political affairs.
