Author:

Praveen Dixit

Articles

Interview by Rucha Limaye

By on February 9, 2026
Sir, you joined the IPS in 1977 in your first attempt and rose to become DGP of Maharashtra—one of India’s most respected police forces. What initially drew you to this challenging career, and looking back, what were one or two defining moments...
Articles

Benefits to community as Rotary World Peace Fellow

By on January 19, 2026

Benefits to community as Rotary World Peace fellow

  • Immediately after completing my two-year program at Rotary Centre in Duke University, I was selected to head an assignment to “conduct training needs of government servants “in Mauritius. During this period, I encouraged them to deploy revolution in information, communication technology (ICT), prepare Charters of Citizens’ Rights and adopt pro-people policies.
  • On return to Maharashtra, India; as in charge of police training academies, implemented Training of Trainers programs underlining changes in methodology and content of their syllabus. Encouraged use of internet in official communications, preparing of websites for creating awareness in society, and disseminating authentic information about registration of offences and progress in investigation. Encouraged newly recruited officers and policemen to work in groups rather than individually.
  • Prepared and implemented Module on Protection and promotion of Human Rights with emphasis on a) elimination of custodial deaths and harassment, b) tackling terrorism and reducing radicalisation of youth, c) rights of women, and d) rights of children. This Module was prepared using distance learning methodology to reach maximum candidates in a standard manner.
  • Identified children in conflict with law. Arranged for their counsellors and through local Rotarians provided them vocational skills which enabled them to contribute to society in a positive manner
  • Implemented the idea of involving community in ensuring national security. More than 500,000 men and women from all religions, age groups became police friends (police Mitra), This boosted the confidence of people in policing and reduced street crime by nearly 20 %
Articles

Steps required to be taken against Naxalism beyond April 26 by Praveen Dixit

By on December 23, 2025
Steps required to be taken against Naxalism beyond April 26 by Praveen Dixit

◦Present measures to contain militant Naxal activities by March26 are expected to be largely successful 

◦Need to think beyond April 26 about the strategy to ensure , there is no recurrence of such insurgent elements

◦Naxals had focused on rights of tribals pertaining to land, water & minerals and convinced large numbers to oppose any exploitation of these resources 

◦Development of these areas either by government or using private companies needs to ensure , locals don’t feel alienated by the same

◦Gadchiroli model of providing partnership to tribals in mines  through making them stock holders needs to be repeated in other areas as well

◦At present police and forest departments have large numbers of locals on their role. They need to be retrained to provide leadership to locals. Other departments including health, paramedics, ayushman , sports, education, horticulture, medical plantation, animal husbandry, tourism may be encouraged to provide this training. Police & Forest employees should train locals under supervision of concerned departments in these areas

◦Tribals / naxals in prison need to be provided vocational training & kept in open jails with permission to meet / stay with families 

◦To tackle religious conversion, campaign needs to be lodged to restore them to their faith & preserve their true identity 

◦Regular visits by outside journalists, tourists to these areas to showcase them development areas and counter narrative by Urban naxals

◦Stern action against urban naxals , who might be provoking locals and indulging in false propaganda to create distrust about democratic institutes

◦Identify police officers who might have done any alleged atrocities and if required take action against them departmentally