Music, Yoga to de-stress Srinagar prison inmates
Nearly 80 prisoners participate in the Prison Smart Programme where the inmates were taught Yoga and Sudarshan Kriya to de-stress themselves and start loving the life again
When 30-year-old rape convict Mudasir Ahmad Ganai got himself dressed as a woman to perform Bacha-e-Nagma (Kashmiri dance) inside the high-security Srinagar Central Jail, the inmates were initially bemused. Soon they too joined in chorus, shaking a leg with Ganai, leaving behind the tension and stress of prison life.
Ganai has been lodged in Srinagar prison for past four years after convicted on charges of rape and kidnap, under section 376 and 364 of Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). A father of two, Ganai's has been a life full of tension and tribulations.
Thanks to Art of Living Prison Smart Programme, Ganai is feeling now freed of stress, and is admired among fellow inmates for his dancing skills. "I was unable to concentrate... was feeling sleepless. Thoughts of my children crossed my mind every now and then, making me restive. But after this programme, I have started looking at life from a different perspective. Now I am feeling better and having a sound sleep," he said.
Nearly 80 prisoners participate in the Prison Smart Programme where the inmates were taught Yoga and Sudarshan Kriya to de-stress themselves and start loving the life again.
"They have to come out of it... Once de-stressed they will be able to focus, reflect on own life," said Aurnima Sinha, head, Art of Living Prison Smart Programme here.
From under-trials to history-sheeters to murder convicts to rape convicts, the prisoners line up in sprawling grounds of the jail to perform Yoga as soothing musical notes play in the background. The highlight of the programme was the musical show by the inmates. Inmates danced on the popular Kashmiri numbers. "I learnt this skill in the jail itself," said one of the inmates who was the vocalist of the troupe.
Superintendent of Central Jail Srinagar Hilal Ahmad said there 400 prisoners lodged there currently and around 80 inmates participated in the programme, "which was a huge success".
"Inmates are stressed out. They were suffering from insomnia. So we wanted to reform, de-stress them. We are also imparting vocational training for them so that they can eke out a livelihood once out of jail," he said.