Tihar becomes a brand name

NEW DELHI: Don''t be surprised if you see a child munching chips with the brand name TJ''s. If a painting you are admiring turns out to be one painted by an inmate from Tihar jail, don''t be startled either. Because Tihar Jail products are spreading their wings.
As part of their strategy to promote the work of Tihar''s inmates, the jail authorities recently opened a Tihar Haat on Jail Road.This two-week-old outlet, constructed at a cost of Rs 10 lakh by the public works department is raking in Rs 2,000 on an average per day.
Manned by two jail staff members, the outlet sells everything from bakery items, to furniture, recycled paper items, durries, phenyl and detergent produced by the prisoners. "Any new establishment takes time to expand. The place is doing very well already. The idea is to promote acceptance of Tihar''s goods among the people outside," said Director General (Prisons) Ajay Aggarwal.
The paintings of Tihar inmates will take some time to hit the racks at the Haat. However, at the recent exhibition of paintings made by Tihar''s inmates, paintings worth Rs 71,000 were sold. Buyers included the Italian Embassy and the US Embassy. For every painting sold, 25 per cent of the selling price went to the inmate who painted it. A part went to the NGO who helped organise the event and train the inmates and the rest is part of the prisoner welfare fund.
"We have given the inmates cheques and the money has been deposited in their bank accounts. It''s an incentive for them and helps in their rehabilitation too. Most prisoners don''t know what to do with their lives when they are released. A strong social support structure is missing," said Aggarwal.
The prices of the paintings range between Rs 800 to Rs 3,000.
The other two outlets for Tihar''s products are at Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg and in the Janakpuri district centre shopping complex. The latter is being run by the disabled son of a retired jail staff member.
"We approached the DDA to rent out the shop at a reasonable cost and they agreed. The monthly rent is just Rs 2,000. It has helped the boy get a livelihood," says Sunil Kumar Gupta, PRO cum Law Officer, Central Jail (Tihar).