New Delhi, May 25 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the progress in Maoist-affected areas saying that the arrival of the first bus in Katejhari and the rise of education in Dantewada reflects the restoration of peace and success of collective efforts to fight Maoism.

Speaking during the 122nd episode of his monthly radio address Mann ki Baat, the Prime Minister shared a moment of a bus reaching Katejhari village in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.

"Travelling to a place by bus is such a common thing. But I want to tell you about a village where a bus has reached for the first time. People there had been waiting for this day for years. And when the bus reached the village for the first time, people welcomed it by playing the Dhol-Nagara," Modi said.

He said, "Upon seeing the bus, their joy knew no bounds! There was a paved road in the village… people needed it, but a bus could never run here before. Why… because this village was affected by Maoist violence. This place is in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, and the name of this village is Katejhari. This change in Katejhari is being felt in the entire surrounding region".

He said that this and other basic facilities reaching such areas were possible due to the collective fight against Maoism.

The Prime Minister also highlighted a similar historic moment about the Dantewada district where Maoism was once at its peak.

"I am also very happy to know that the results of Dantewada district in the 10th and 12th standard examinations have been excellent. With nearly 95 percent result, this district topped the 10th standard results. Whereas in the 12th standard examination, this district secured the sixth position in Chhattisgarh," The Prime Minister said.

"Imagine! Dantewada, where Maoism was once at its peak… today the flag of education is flying high there. Such changes fill us all with pride," he said.

Moreover, Modi, while highlighting his earlier Mann ki Baat episodes on Bastar Olympic, said that children here were passionate about science and were also doing great in sports.

"These people have chosen the path of improving their lives amidst so many challenges," Modi said. UNI RBE SSP