Music becoming a way of life at Guwahati Central Jail

Music becoming a way of life at Guwahati Central Jail

Bijoya Chakraborty announces Rs 10 lakh to construct a stage inside the Jail to showcase the musical talent of the inmates. Local MLA Ramendra N Kalita announces another Rs 5 lakh to establish a selling point for the handicraft being produced by the inmates.

STAFF REPORTE

GUWAHATI, June 26: Under various given situations, some of them either ran into the jungles to hold a gun with a dream to bring autonomy or some of them indulged in criminal activities; while a few of them involved in violation of law. Eventually, they discovered themselves in a dark, iron grilled room inside the jail. Passing down the line, dream and desire fade away from their lives; and the time goes on. Such is the lifestyle goes inside a jail and similar is the scene at the Guwahati Central Jail.

However, ‘Suror Panchoi’ a nascent initiative to impart lessons on music to the inmates at Guwahati Central Jail is bringing a ray of hope to restart a fresh life. This incredible initiative came into reality by two distinguished personalities; Anup Sarma and Gita Devi. Notably, Anup and Gita both are the son and daughter-in-law of eminent theatre personality Mahandra Sarma.

Under the teaching of Anup and Gita, 8 prisoners in vocal, 6 prisoners in guitar and two prisoners in keyboard secured first division in the recently declared first semester exam of music. Among the learners, imprisoned hardcore NDFB (S) militants Sansuma Basumotary and Pradip Daimary also attended the exam and secured first division.

To encourage the paradigm shift, Guwahati MP Bijoya Chakravarty has announced Rs 10 lakh under MP fund to construct a stage inside Guwahati Central Jail to showcase the musical talent of the prisoners.

Presently, the inmates are undergoing training on LED bulb making. Sponsored by Art of Living, the inmates will also get a vocational training on electronics under the Skill Development Scheme soon inside the jail premise. The inmates are also manually producing bamboo and cane products besides silver products in a competitive quality. However, there is no vendor’s point to sell their produce. Keeping this in mind, local MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita recently announced an amount of Rs 5 lakh to establish a selling point which will encourage the inmates.

According to source gathered on June 25, there were 1,299 at Guwahati Central Jail out of which 1,233 are male while 66 are female. The numbers of inmates undergoing jail terms on various charges are – 70 individuals under NIA, 2 convicted foreigners, five foreigners on remand, 685 males and 31 females under judicial remand, 7 under simple imprisonment, 256 males and 6 females under rigorous imprisonment while 119 males and 11 females are under NDPS besides others. Moreover, within these, there are also 33 individuals undergoing judicial custody who are accused of APSC cash-for-jib scam.

The source highlighted that the inmates are provided routine breakfast on 6:30 am that comprises tea and roti. The under trial prisoners get a piece of 90gm roti while the convicts get a piece of 120 gm roti. The lunch and dinner is provided on 9:30 am and 5:30 pm respectively. They are provided 100 gm of fish, meat or two eggs whatever is decided, two square in a week.

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