Gujarat Sahitya Academy is planning to publish a compilation of stories and poems written by prisoners from across the state.
Many important literary works were produced from behind bars. Even the harsh and suffocatingly restrictive living conditions of prison cells can sometimes act as muse — bringing out the best of creativity in the most hardened heart. These at times find expression in prose and poetry that unfailing woos the reader with its pathos.
Keeping this in mind, the Gujarat Sahitya Academy plans to publish a compilation of tales and poems that were penned by prisoners lodged in some of the state's jails.
Besides various programmes on jail reforms and rehabilitation of prisoners, now the inmates of all the 24 reformatories in the state are all set to express themselves in prose and verse. "This will be a one-of-its-kind endeavour for the prisoners as they will contribute their writings to form the book. The academy has agreed to publish it. We are asking the prisoners to send in their creations," said PC Thakur, additional director general of police (prisons).
Talking to DNA, Thakur said that there are good writers in the jails.
They have continuously been writing in state government's fortnightly magazine Gujarat. The last page of this magazine is dedicated to the creativity of prisoners. The planned book will have at least 100 chapters containing stories and poems by the prisoners.
As a matter of fact, 44,000 books have been distributed among prisoners in recent past. In addition, institutes like Annamalai University, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Dr BR Ambedkar Open University etc. are coming up with vocational courses for those serving prison terms.
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has also framed a designing course for Sabarmati Central Jail. "These are parts of our jail reform and prisoners rehabilitation programmes. We have initiated several vocational programmes that will make prisoners eligible for jobs once they have served their sentences," Thakur further said.
Thakur added that there are other universities, including Gujarat Vidyapith and Anand Agricultural University, which are setting up study centres as well as short term courses to impart skills to the prisoners.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}