Inmates learning Madhubani art in Patna jail

Many women inmates at the Beur jail in Patna are learning the art of famed Madhubani paintings in order to develop self-reliance in life.

By Ajay Kumar

Patna, June 24 : Many women inmates at the Beur jail in Patna are learning the art of famed Madhubani paintings in order to develop self-reliance in life.

The novel initiative could be introduced with the help of Ranju Devi, a woman inmate serving life term for the last nine years.

Ranju Devi, proved a major find when the jail authorities learnt about her expertise in the Maduhbani paintings, an all time fascination among tourists at various exhibitions.

The prison superintendent secured the transfer of Ranju Devi to Beur prison from another prison after coming to know of her talents, to enable other women inmates become self-reliant.Dilip Kumar Singh, the prison superintendent, said: "After joining this place, I took the initiative to introduce painting lessons fro the women inmates to make them self-reliant."

Forty-year-old Ranju Devi believes her skills will help women in their empowerment.

"I am teaching presently teaching 10 inmates and that will help in empowering them,"

The inmates feel such training can help them cope up with a hostile world in a better way independently.

Vinita Bharti, a trainee, said: "We thought instead of sitting idle we would use the time to learn something that will help us to become self-reliant, so that when we go out, we do not have to depend on our family members."

Many jail authorities believe initiatives to rehabilitate inmates and for prison reforms prove more effective than punishment.

ANI