Thaindian News

Jammu, Aug 10 (IANS) The staff and prisoners of Kot Bhalwal Jail, on the outskirts of Jammu city, together celebrated the Janmashtami, birthday of Lord Krishna, by taking part in kite flying festival in the prison premises Friday.

Jail Superintendent Rajni Sehgal, who conceptualized this idea, told media persons: “Even these prisoners are human beings and ought to be given the feel of it. We have to create an atmosphere inside these four walls in which they feel like normal humans.”

Sehgal too participated in the kite flying festival inside the jail along with the prisoners. She said: “They (prisoners) too have right to celebrate these festivals and this is the best way to create a festive mood among them.”

The jail has about 600 prisoners, including many militants among whom 70 are Pakistanis. All of them took part in the kite flying festival Friday.

Sanaullah, 65, from Sialkot in Pakistan, is in prison for the last 14 years.

“We used to do kite flying in Pakistan when we were children. It is first time after coming into this jail that I flew kites. I once again felt like a ten-year-old child,” said excited Sanaullah.

Anil Kumar, from Jammu, serving sentence in this jail for the last five years, said: “It was like going back to my childhood.”

According to Kumar, the prisoners celebrate all festivals in jail but events like kite flying “make us feel as if we are back in our home”.

There was great enthusiasm among all the prisoners and jail staff - flying kites, dancing to beat of Dhol (drum) and partaking of special food for the day.

Babul Mian, serving sentence for illegal border crossing, said: “I could never anticipate that Janmashtami would be such fun.”