Until sevenmonths ago, art was just a hobby for prisoners in south Asia’s largest prison, Tihar. Today, it is enriching prisoners. Literally.
Ramesh Singh, 25, an inmate of jail number 4 has earned Rs 1.5 lakh in the last four months and his colleague, Anwar Omeis, 26, has made ₹60 thousand during the same time — a significant amount considering prisoners are paid a daily wage of ₹171 for skilled work and ₹107 for unskilled labour.
Mohmmad Ayub, who is out on bail now, had reportedly made ₹1.6 lakh, said jail officials.
All of them are associated with the Tihar School of Art, an institution set up in Jail Number 4 in 2016, to encourage prisoners take up art both as a means of reformation and rehabilitation. Earlier, the works by the prisoners used to be donated to government offices and given as present to visiting dignitaries. Most other paintings were hung and appreciated only within the prison walls.
The Tihar School of Art is affiliated to IGNOU and offers diplomas to aspirants.
Read more of this unique programme of the Tihar authorities in an excellent report by Prawesh Lama published in Hindustan Times... (link given below)
