Gandhi’s Hindustani sabha to set up libraries in central jails
Highlights
- The Hindustani Prachar Sabha was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942.
- The sabha aimed at popularizing simple Hindi.
- Now it is establishing libraries in all the nine central jails in the state.
MUMBAI:
The Hindustani Prachar Sabha,
founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 to
popularize simple Hindi, is establishing libraries in all the nine central
jails in the state so that even hardened criminals get an the opportunity to
read good books.
On Gandhi Jayanti, the Sabha opened a library at Yerawada Central Jail in Pune — it was also the Prisoners Day. "Books can impact human minds in different ways. Since social reform is an intrinsic part of the Gandhian philosophy, we thought it right to take books to prison inmates to help them get reformed," says Feroze Patch, a trustee of the Sabha. To popularize the reading habit, the Sabha has already set up libraries at a couple of schools and colleges.
Before books were trucked to Yerawada—Gandhiji spent several years here—the Sabha trustees discussed the idea. And after exchange of several e-mails, senior prison authorities invited them a few months ago to discuss the plan. "Reformation and rehabilitation are part of the prison motto. And books have been known to play a big role in reforming people. We accepted the offer as books are agents of change," says Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay, ADG of Police and Inspector General of Prison.
The Sabha has planned to open libraries in eight other central prisons in Maharashtra as part of its 75th anniversary celebrations next year. In January 2017, it will set up a library in Nashik Central Jail, followed by one in Aurangabad Central Jail.
On Gandhi Jayanti, the Sabha opened a library at Yerawada Central Jail in Pune — it was also the Prisoners Day. "Books can impact human minds in different ways. Since social reform is an intrinsic part of the Gandhian philosophy, we thought it right to take books to prison inmates to help them get reformed," says Feroze Patch, a trustee of the Sabha. To popularize the reading habit, the Sabha has already set up libraries at a couple of schools and colleges.
Before books were trucked to Yerawada—Gandhiji spent several years here—the Sabha trustees discussed the idea. And after exchange of several e-mails, senior prison authorities invited them a few months ago to discuss the plan. "Reformation and rehabilitation are part of the prison motto. And books have been known to play a big role in reforming people. We accepted the offer as books are agents of change," says Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay, ADG of Police and Inspector General of Prison.
The Sabha has planned to open libraries in eight other central prisons in Maharashtra as part of its 75th anniversary celebrations next year. In January 2017, it will set up a library in Nashik Central Jail, followed by one in Aurangabad Central Jail.
Regards
Pralhad Jadhav
Senior Manager @ Library
Khaitan & Co
Great initiate.
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Tamilmani