From guns to gulal: Buxar jail inmates make herbal ‘gulal’ for Holi

Buxar: The hands that once pressed triggers, lobbed bombs and spilled blood on the streets, triggering panic, are now manufacturing ‘gulal’ ahead of the Holi.

In a positive initiative, five inmates lodged at Buxar Central Jail are preparing herbal ‘gulal’ on the jail premises. So far, 500 packets of herbal ‘gulal’ have been prepared by them.


Strangely, the backgrounds of the convicts engaged in the job within the foul walls happen to be dreadful. While four were handed out life terms in separate murder cases, the other has been convicted under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. But their mission now is to spread harmony in the society, jail officials said.

Jail superintendent Gyanita Gaurav said the herbal ‘gulal’ is made using natural ingredients that are environmental friendly and safe for the skin. The effort is part of a rehabilitation programme designed to encourage inmates to participate in productive and creative activities. Officials believe such initiatives help inmates acquire new skills and develop a sense of responsibility, apart from spreading happiness and harmony in society.

The herbal colours are available in two sizes — a 50-gm packet priced at Rs25 and a 100-gm packet costing Rs45. The products are being sold at the Mukti outlet located within the jail premises. The outlet markets goods prepared by inmates under various vocational training programmes.

Jail authorities said the response from local residents was encouraging last year and expressed hope this year it would be the same.

Officials added that such initiatives keep inmates meaningfully engaged. The project blends the festive spirit of Holi with social reform, offering inmates an opportunity to rebuild confidence and prepare for reintegration after their release.