The occasion was a 'kavi sammelan' organised for the inmates by the jail authorities as part of its efforts to initiate the inmates to the finer aspects of life.
The courtyard at the Pratapgarh jail resonated with laughter, clapping for India. There was hearty singing of national songs too. No, it was neither Independence Day or Republic Day. The occasion was a 'kavi sammelan' organised for the inmates by the jail authorities as part of its efforts to initiate the inmates to the finer aspects of life.
For over three hours, the prisoners listened in rapt attention to the poems of love and longing; as they wiped a tear or two in memory of those who awaited them outside the prison walls. They laughed out loud to the lighter
creations and took avid interest in the poems about current issues like national security, Pakistan, Kashmir Ram Rahim and several social issues.
The event organised on Monday morning was a part of the initiative by Pratapgarh jail authorities to introduce some fresh enthusiasm in the lives of the inmates. It was supported by the All India Human Rights Monitoring
Committee, Pratapgarh. There were total ten poets, four local and five from other states and one from Sharjah too.
When contacted to perform in the jail, the poets were initially very apprehensive to be in the company of hardcore criminals. “My first reaction was of apprehension and fear. Performing for criminals for over four hours
was not a very comforting idea,” said Vijay Vidrohi, a local poet from Pratapgarh to DNA. “But it was an amazing experience! For four hours they were the best audience a performer can hope for. No one got up even to drink
water,” added Vidrohi.
Speaking to DNA Harish Vyas, another poet said, “I was very apprehension to perform in the jail. But it was an amazing experience. For three hours they were not inmates, they were poetry lovers. They were the best audience I
have seen, which was very surprising for us. I would be willing to do it again in any jail.”
The initiative was well received by the inmates.Inmates who had not been smiling for years were cheering and laughing at the performances. At the same time we had urged the poets to take up issues like cleanliness, national integration, Army and security personnel. They also delivered poems against liquor and crime,” informed Paras Jangid, jailer, Pratapgarh jail to DNA.
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