Asia's largest prison — Tihar — is all geared up to celebrate Diwali. Going environment-friendly and keeping the spirit of the festival alive, the Tihar Prison Authorities have decided to keep it a 'cracker-free Diwali'.
Due to excessive load of visitors during the festive season, the prison authorities have also increased the time of 'mulaqat' by two to three hours.
"This Diwali the prisoners have prepared special gift packs for the general public which are available at the Tihar Hut. The gift packs, comprising of cookies, namkeen, spices and various other edible items are prepared by the Tihar inmates.
"Candles, diyas, Ganesh and lakshmi idols and artificial flowers which are all made by the prisoners are also available. We are offering a wide variety at cheap and best rate. The gift packs range from Rs 130-160," said Sunil Gupta, PRO, Tihar Prisons. He also added that it is for the first time 32 prisoners, housed at the Semi-Open jail, will celebrate the festival. Semi-open jail was inaugurated in June, 2013.
To make the day special for the prisoners, sweets will be distributed through the canteen to all the prisoners. This Diwali would be a cracker-free Diwali. The prisoners will themselves decorate the prison and light diya and candles.
Tihar houses more than 13,000 prisoners and special food items will also be prepared for them on Diwali such as paneer, chole and sweet dish, which they are not served on a daily basis. Since no 'mulaqat' is allowed on the day of the festival, the rush of the people before Diwali is massive.