A Runway Moment With a Deeper Story
There is a certain poignancy to a fashion show when the women on the ramp have come from forests defined by conflict. That was the case at a National Handloom Day gathering in Raipur, where nine former Maoist cadres from Bastar made their way down the runway in traditional Chhattisgarhi handloom, the region’s Kosa silk among them. It was meant to be a statement on rehabilitation and what it takes to put a life back together after years of unrest.
The event, which took place at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Auditorium on 7 August 2026, was an occasion to mix handloom and fashion with a wider dialogue on rejoining mainstream society.
From Insurgency to the Catwalk
For the nine women – Punem Deve, Medium Gangi, Madvi Deve, Madvi Nadanni, Madvi Male, Podiyam Raje, Doddi Rame, Madkam Bhime and Punem Jyoti – this was a far cry from their past as active insurgents in the Bastar forests. Now under rehabilitation at the Punarwas Kendra in Sukma, a former Left Wing Extremism stronghold, they had put in seven days of hard work with experts from Mumbai to learn the ropes of the catwalk. The training was thorough, covering everything from body language and grooming to speaking into a microphone with assurance. For some, the trip to Raipur itself was something of a novelty after so much time in remote areas.
A Fashion Show Meets a Story of Second Chances
They were not alone on the floor; they shared the space with 12 professionals and Femina Miss India East 2026. Vishnu Deo Sai, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, was in attendance and lauded their presence as proof that second chances and peace are attainable.
Building a Life Beyond Conflict
The state has been keen to provide surrendered cadres with the means to be self-reliant, be it through financial aid or learning a trade like tailoring. But one has to ask where such programmes end and individual agency starts.
But Was Everyone Comfortable With the Spotlight?
To the four former Maoists who spoke with The Wire Hindi, the matter is more complex than the spectacle would suggest. They claim they were lured from Sukma to Raipur on false pretences, told they were coming for tailoring instruction only to find themselves prepped for a fashion show. Some admitted to feeling at ease in front of the crowd once they were there, but others said they were put out by being put on display without a clear understanding of what was expected of them.
When Rehabilitation Meets the Question of Agency
In a part of the country so scarred by Left Wing Extremism, the message from Bastar is clear: you cannot simply lay down your arms and expect to be whole. Rehabilitation demands dignity and the creation of real livelihoods. For these women, the runway may well be the start of a chapter built on economic independence instead of violence. But their experience is also a reminder that while the state can offer a new beginning, those living it must have a say in its shape.
