Rehabilitation – Former Women Naxalites Walk Fashion Runway in Raipur
Rehabilitation – Raipur witnessed an unusual and symbolic fashion event on National Handloom Day, as women who had surrendered from Maoist insurgency walked the runway alongside professional models.
The event was held at Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium, where the participants showcased traditional handloom clothing, including locally produced Kosa silk. Representing rehabilitation centres in Bastar, the women appeared before a large audience and received enthusiastic applause for their confidence and composure.
For the participants, the occasion carried significance beyond fashion. Many had spent years associated with armed insurgency in some of the state’s most conflict-affected forest areas. Their appearance on a public stage reflected their ongoing transition into civilian life and efforts to build a new future after surrendering.
Chief Minister meets the participants
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai met the former Maoist women during the programme and encouraged them as they begin a different chapter of their lives.
Sai praised their participation and conveyed his best wishes for their future. For almost all of the women taking part, the event also provided an opportunity to visit Raipur for the first time.
The fashion show was organised as part of efforts to promote traditional handloom products while also providing a platform for people undergoing rehabilitation to participate in mainstream social activities.
Week-long preparation built confidence
The runway appearance followed an intensive week-long grooming and training programme conducted in Raipur. A professional trainer from Mumbai worked with the participants, helping them prepare for the public event.
According to the trainers, many of the women initially arrived with considerable hesitation. Coming from areas affected by prolonged conflict, they were unfamiliar with the atmosphere of a professional fashion show and were initially uncomfortable performing in front of a large audience.
The training focused on several aspects of the presentation, including walking techniques, body language, stage confidence and regular practice. Over the course of the programme, the participants gradually became more comfortable with the idea of appearing alongside experienced models.
By the final day, trainers said, the change was clearly visible. The women walked the runway with greater confidence and carried themselves comfortably in front of the audience.
Participants recall an emotional experience
For the women involved, the experience was also a personal milestone. Madvi Malle, one of the participants, recalled feeling nervous when the training began but said repeated practice helped her overcome that hesitation.
She said the opportunity to walk the runway ultimately made her feel confident and happy.
Another participant, Punem Deve, said she had never imagined herself walking on a stage in front of so many people. The response she received during the event, she said, gave her encouragement to continue moving ahead.
A platform for a new beginning
The event brought together two different objectives: celebrating Chhattisgarh’s traditional handloom heritage and giving rehabilitated former insurgents an opportunity to participate in a public cultural programme.
The participation of the women from Bastar added a distinctive dimension to the National Handloom Day celebration. Their journey from conflict-affected regions to a public fashion platform also highlighted the broader rehabilitation process following surrender from Maoist activities.
For the participants, the runway was therefore more than a brief appearance. It became an opportunity to experience a new environment, interact with people outside their previous surroundings and present themselves with confidence in a setting they had never imagined entering before.