{
  "id": 14342763,
  "title": "10 to 5 job, desk and a laptop: Portrait of an ex-Maoist as a university official",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/10-to-5-job-desk-and-a-laptop-portrait-of-an-ex-maoist-as-a",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T01:30:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/india/portrait-of-an-ex-maoist-as-a-university-official-10920546/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mallojula Venugopal, a 70-year-old ex-Maoist, now works as a coordinator for Gondwana University's Ekal (Gramsabha) Project and Centre. At his small cabin in Gadchiroli, he is seen adjusting his glasses and laptop, a stark contrast to his previous life. Venugopal surrendered on October 15, 2025, along with 60 other cadres and 50-odd weapons, with a Rs 6 crore bounty on his head. He was present for his surrender alongside Maharashtra Chief Minister.\n\nVenugopal's job was found by chance after reading a newspaper advertisement. To qualify, applicants needed to have completed Class 12, possess knowledge of tribal and rural laws, have experience with forest management and working with tribal communities, and be willing to work in any taluka of Gadchiroli district. Venugopal meets all the requirements and reflects on the irony of tackling the same issues through legal means that the Maoists once opposed.\n\nGadchiroli Collector Sanjay Meena explains that the Ekal Centre's aim was to bridge the trust and communication gap between gram sabhas and the district administration. The university was brought on board to train gram sabha members in various issues. Over 16 board members now oversee the programme, which has trained more than 3,500 people and helped secure community forest rights for over 100 individuals.\n\nDespite some opposition from the Jan Sangharsha Samiti, Venugopal remains committed to his role, emphasizing that his work should be judged separately from his past. He wakes up early each day and is grateful for the opportunities he now has, including the chance to work at a university and earn a modest salary. Venugopal enrolls in a BA course through Dr B R Ambedkar Open University, hoping to further his education and understand the issues he now addresses.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express - India",
        "title": "10 to 5 job, desk and a laptop: Portrait of an ex-Maoist as a university official",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/10-to-5-job-desk-and-a-laptop-portrait-of-an-ex-maoist-as-a-14345214",
        "published": "2026-10-14T01:30:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}