In a bid to relieve ''stress' among the prisoners 'and keep them 'busy'', Uttar Pradesh government has decided to establish 'gaushalas' (cow farms) in the state jails.
State jail minister Jai Kumar said on Saturday that necessary instructions had been issued to the officials in this regard and the 'gaushalas' would soon start operating in the jails in the state.
Kumar said that the 'gaushalas' would not only keep the prisoners busy but would also relieve their stress. ''Prisoners are usually under great stress....they keep thinking about the cases against them and the dates on which they have to appear in the courts,'' he remarked.
''If they work at the gaushalas, they will not have much time for such thoughts,'' Kumar added.
The minister also said that the measure would also offer employment opportunities for the prisoners. ''Many of the inmates are very talented....the gaushalas will enable them to use their talent,'' he said.
He said that the products like 'gaumutra' (cow urine) and others from the 'gaushalas' would also be marketed. ''It will result in income generation for the jails and also for the prisoners,'' he said.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's love for the cows was well known. There is a 'gaushala' at the Gorakshpeeth Temple at Gorakhpur of which Adityanath is the chief.
Kumar said that International Yoga Day would also be celebrated across the jails in the state. ''The inmates of the jails will perform Yoga on that day under the guidance of a trained Yoga professional,'' he said.
The minister said that the jail superintendents had been asked to arrange for 'Yogacharyas' (yoga teacher) for the exercise.
''The idea is to inculcate pure thoughts within the prisoners...Yoga will go a long way in doing this,'' he added.
Published 17 June 2017, 14:28 IST