A 'fashion statement' in Model Jail

LUCKNOW: It was difficult to recognise Geeta, with her new razor hair-cut, while a chic look was given to Yasmin's straight black hair by tying it into a neat long plait, twirling the front section of her hair into circles and clipping them to the base of her head.
And Reshma looked stunning with a huge bun at the back adorned with attractive clips.No, it's not a fashion show, but they are the prisoners of the Nari Bandi Niketan for whom a one month course on 'Skin and Health Care' is being run by the jail authorities.
Excitement was in the air and enthusiasm was evident on their faces as they were about to do something they loved but did not get an opportunity for a very long time. All sat down and watched each and every movement of the beauticians carefully. What surprised them were the results.
"Yeh to Rani Mukherjee lag rahi hai, ab to din bhar bas sheesha hi dekhegi, nayi style mein bal jo kat gaye hain," said Yasmin. (She is looking like Rani Mukherjee and now she will stand in front of the mirror looking at her new hair style).
"Fashion and female are two terms that compliment each other. It always makes them feel good emotionally and will now make them strong socially and financially,"said Bethi Banerjee, who is providing them the training.
"This training has given us a lot of confidence. Now we know how to make ourselves presentable and feel confident as well. This art would later help us to earn money," said Phoola, a prisoner. Not that these jail inmates are being provided training for reforming their attitude and behaviour.
They being emotionally down, unkept and having emaciated skin due to lack of interest in their lives, the course will give them a new confidence. The training has proved to be a magic wand. You can sample this for yourself.
"Nobody talked to me due to my temperament. The inmates avoided me, which made my nature worse. But now with this training where several exercises for relieving tension were taught, I have improved my behaviour towards others," said Kushnuma, a prisoner.
"We are providing training about the concepts of skin care, skin diseases and also several sessions on management of body concepts," said Banerjee.
"As far as the course of beautician is concerned, we are being assisted by two women who are teaching them different kinds of hair styles, hair cuttings, facial, threading, etc. And to my surprise, the jail inmates are picking up very fast and applying innovative methods from their sides as well," added Bethi.
"We practise all what is taught to us on each other at night. We use small branches as rollers to roll our hair. We also try make-up on each other", said Phoola.
"Our main aim is to imbibe a feeling of self-sufficiency and pride among them," said senior jail superintendent, Model Jail, Suresh Chandra.
"We also want them to be self-reliant so that they are able to earn their own once they are out of the jail," he added.