Over 25,000 ex-Maoists now our shareholders: Lloyds MD Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd’s managing director, Balasubramanian Prabhakaran, revealed at a startup conclave in Nagpur that more than 25,000 former Naxal cadres have been integrated into the company as shareholders. Speaking at the event held at VNIT, Prabhakaran emphasized the initiative as a step toward transforming former rebels into equal stakeholders rather than employees. He described the effort as creating an ecosystem where these individuals could participate in economic activities and hold equity. The former Naxals are now involved in various functions within the company, including marketing, logistics, supply chain management, production, and manufacturing. Prabhakaran highlighted that tribal women previously associated with left-wing extremism (LWE) are being trained to operate logistics trucks, earning between Rs50,000 and Rs60,000 monthly. Skills training is also being provided to men and women, enabling them to pursue trades and eventually start their own businesses. In addition to economic integration, Prabhakaran mentioned initiatives to improve educational opportunities for tribal children. Some students have been sent to Australia to study artificial intelligence, underscoring the company’s focus on long-term development. He also called on entrepreneurs to look beyond traditional urban centers, urging startups to consider Gadchiroli as a hub for innovation and investment. Prabhakaran noted that Gadchiroli has significant potential in mining, manufacturing, agriculture, and allied sectors, with over Rs1 lakh crore in investments already pitched for the district.#nagpur #vnit #lloyds_metals_and_energy_ltd #balasubramanian_prabhakaran #naxal_cadres
