Beyond bars, they seek a chance to lead dignified life

The 80 inmates of four Central prisons of the State who have arrived at Mangalore to be part of ‘Jailininda Jailige Ranga Yatre,’ had a busy schedule on Friday, even after the curtains downed on the theatre fest.

With the students, NGO members, social servants, teachers and others visiting the Mangalore jail to have an interaction with the 80 prisoners who won the hearts of Mangaloreans with their theatre skills, the Mangalore jail (new building) was buzzing with activities. In one of the interactions, 60 children from the city based Swaroopa Adhyayana Kendra had an interesting conversation with the inmates. The prisoners shared their experiences in jail and the transformation they have undergone after exposing themselves to the prison theatre.

While Amburaj, a convict for supporting Veerappan, briefed his experience of living with Veerappan for six months, another convict Dharanesh had some advices to give to the children.

The children, on the other hand, displayed the unique methods of learning and memory techniques taught to them at Swaroopa. Later speaking to Deccan Herald, one of the prisoners said that they had lot to learn from the children and their only message to children was “love all.” “We told the children that we have regretted for the mistakes that we have committed intentionally or unintentionally. And it is the responsibility of the society to excuse us and give us an opportunity to live a dignified life,” said a prisoner. Sharing his experience of four days stay in Mangalore, Basavaraj from Belgaum prison said that he was overwhelmed with the response their plays have received in Mangalore. “We have visited several cities, but it is for the first time that we were given enormous publicity for our efforts. We hope this would help us to get premature release,” he hoped.