Jailbirds too have their share

Flower decorations and rangolis drawn by the jailbirds caught the attention of the visitors, including Medical Education and district in-charge minister S A Ramdas who spent some time with the inmates.

While celebrating Dasara is quite common for many, it turned out to be an unusual experience for the inmates who are confined to the jail premises. Five women offered bagina to the inmates. They were offered bagina ‘arishina-kumkuma’ (turmeric-vermillion), flowers and ‘prasada’ from the Chamundi Hills.

Speaking to mediapersons, Ramdas said: “Many programmes are organised during the festival and everybody celebrates. But the prisoners are left out of the Dasara celebrations. So, we decided to conduct programmes involving the jail inmates this year,” he added. He called upon the prisoners to change their mind and refrain from committing crimes. Ramdas said he would talk to the Governor and urge him to reduce the sentences of selected inmates based on their good behaviour.

The minister said a library would be built inside the jail and 10 computers provided to prisoners. A teacher would be appointed to teach them to use computers. Using the Internet, they can learn more about the happenings in the world, he said.

Deputy Commissioner P S Vastrad, Police Commissioner Sunil Agarwal, MLC Siddaraju, MCC Commissioner K S Raykar, Jail Chief Superintendent Jaisimha and Superintendent Mallesh were present.