Gaya (Bihar): Nanda Singh, who lived in Gaya, Bihar, was once a dreaded Naxalite, and his name caused fear and terror in the area. But now he has left the Naxalite organization and become a Nanda Guruji and is busy educating children. Nanda Singh, a key former leader of the banned Naxalite CPI-Maoist, is busy providing free education to 500 children.
Former Naxalite Nanda Singh has carried out killings, attacks on police and other criminal activities to spread 'red terror' at gunpoint. Today, he sits under a tree and teaches children of different villages of the Naxal-affected area from 5 am. This picture of victory of good over evil has come to light in the Naxal-affected area of Gaya district of Bihar state.
Apart from the Gaya district, Nanda Singh was known as Nanda Naxalite in many districts including Jahanabad, Aurangabad, but he has now become 'Nanda Guru Ji'. Nanda Singh sits under the trees and teaches the children himself in the morning and evening while in return he does not charge any fee from the children. In Nanda Guruji's class, children from nursery to eighth-grade study. He teaches children as well as arranges books, notebooks and pens for them. From time to time he also arranges cereals and other food items for the children.
Nanda Singh strives to teach children in economically weak areas and where there is no proper education system. Nanda Singh holds MA from Gorakhpur University. He says that his inclination towards Naxalism dates back to his student days.
He thought that the system could be changed at gunpoint. He read the books written by Marxists. His mind had changed so much that he became a Naxalite after his MA. He was involved in many incidents even though he does not want to remember these things anymore.
The Bara Chatti area of Gaya remained under his control and he was involved in the conspiracy and planning of attacks on the police and influential people in the area. Nanda Singh says that while in Central Jail, he had the opportunity to read books written on the life and services of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. BR Ambedkar and other great personalities and on the independence of the country. After reading these books, he came to the conclusion that the path he has taken is destructive for the country and harms the common man.
Nanda Singh says that he was affected by the COVID19 also. Due to the lockdown, he could not go to remote areas, which affected the education of the children. Nanda says that he was under the watchful eye of many investigating agencies but nothing came of it as living with the Naxalites was a dark chapter for him.
Nanda Singh has several cases registered against him. Has been out since 2011 and is constantly engaged in social work. He is also a member of the police peace committee.
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