This Chhattisgarh village goes silent at 6pm so that students’ success can speak louder

RAIPUR: In Biretara, a small village about 15 km from Dhamtari town, evenings now fall unusually silent. Streets that once echoed with chatter are empty after 6 pm — not out of fear, but out of determination. This initiative is now drawing praise from the district administration.With Class 10 and 12 board exams approaching, villagers have come together to give their children the best possible chance at success. Under a community resolution, any school-going student found loitering after 6 pm will face action — and so will their parents.The decision was taken collectively at a village meeting attended by elders, panchayat members, teachers, parents, women's groups and even residents from neighbouring villages. Through regular public announcements, students from Classes 9 to 12 at the Govt Higher Secondary School have been instructed to head home by evening and focus on their studies.The village has set ambitious targets: at least 80% results in Class 10 and a 100% pass rate in Class 12.To achieve this, ward-level committees now monitor students' study routines. Parents are expected to supervise homework, avoid assigning household chores during exam preparation, and restrict mobile phone and television use. Public reminders reinforce discipline, while teachers have stepped up academic support.The message is simple — the entire village is invested in every child's success.The campaign goes beyond academics. Led strongly by village women, Biretara has also declared a crackdown on substance abuse.Anyone caught consuming intoxicants will be fined Rs 5,000. Half of the fine goes to the informant as an incentive, while the rest is deposited with the gram panchayat for development work.Residents say ponds and isolated areas once saw gatherings involving substance use, sometimes even by schoolchildren. Since the new rules were enforced, such activities have significantly declined.Students themselves say the change is noticeable. "Earlier, children would roam around in the evenings. Now, if someone is outside unnecessarily, people immediately remind them to study," said one student.