<![CDATA[Inmates of Madhya Pradesh jails will soon be marking their presence in the mainstream society with delectable foods and aesthetic artifacts made by them. “Apni Rasoi” and handicraft emporium “Kanha Emporium” was opened by jail administration in the Central Jail in Bhopal on 1 August. The emporium would exhibit and sell artefacts made by inmates of different jails in the state, while the restaurant would serve foods prepared by both jailed and freed inmates. Sushobhan Banerjee, additional director general (jail), “Paintings, carpets, furniture, dolls, wooden crafts and many more would be sold to the public. The restaurant will offer items like pickles, sweets and snack items”, he said. The idea behind the initiative was to showcase skills of the inmates before the public. Banerjee said, “We want to show the other facet of the inmates through the handicraft and food items made by them. Though they serve jail term in the jail for various crimes, still they possess useful and productive skills, too. The idea behind the concept was not to earn profit but to change the perception among the public regarding jail and its inmates”. LKS Bhadauria, deputy jail superintendent of the Central Jail, said, “Inmates will work in the restaurant along with freed inmates. At 7 pm, the inmates would be sent back to the jail.” “Many unheard delicacies like ‘aloe-vera ka halwa’ and ‘medicated roti with organic atta’ would be served in Apni Rasoi,” said Bhadauria. ]]>
