The Tihar Jail stall at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) grabbed visitors’ attention on Friday with people lining up to lay their hands on products made by inmates.
To man the stall there were five inmates, along with other employees. One of the inmates said, “We are working dedicatedly to promote products prepared by the jail’s inmates and the result till now has been satisfactory.”
A visitor told The Pioneer that she came all the way from Dwarka to visit the stall. “Of many stalls, I am impressed by the stall being run by inmates. And their products are really of good qualities. I even a bought a few. Several visitors are purchasing the products,” said Anita, who gave only one name.
The best sellers at the stall were bakery and confectionary items. A music album ‘Flying Souls’ by Tihar Rock Band was also exhibited in the stall.
A 32-year-old inmate, a garment making trainer in Tihar Jail, told The Pioneer, “I got my financial independence only because of my job here. Today as a skilled worker I earn Rs 128 per day in comparison to Rs 103 and Rs 80 by semi-skilled and unskilled workers respectively. I am happy to give twenty five per cent of my income to charity.”
A jail staff said, “It’s necessary to channelise the energy of the inmates towards a positive cause.” A 53-year-old inmate said, “It was behind the bars that I picked up a few life-time skills that certainly would help me throughout my life.”