Moin Uddin
ArtistNepal/ Kathmandu
15 female prisoners who participated in training to make velvet shoes were awarded with certificate for completion of one month training at Central Jail (Female section), Sundhara organised by JCI Kathmandu Lady (Nepal) in association with Lions Club of Kathmandu and Susta Manasthiti Kalyan Sanstha on June 25. The program was attended by Krishna Chandra Ghimire, Director General of Department of Prison Management, Bed Prasad Kharel, Jailor of the Central Jail, Kathmandu, Actor duo Hari Bamsha Acharya and Madan Krishna Shrestha among others.
The training was aimed to provide life time skills of making velvet shoes to the female prisoners.
Speaking at the program Janak Bahadur Shahi, DSP said that the training was a huge success as entire participants who had registered for it participated for this training. He also thanked organiser for conducting income earning skills for the prisoners.
Agreeing with Shahi, Chief Guest, Acharya said to the prisoners to forget pasts and to focus on the positive side of life. “I say this is not a prison, it’s a school – Karagar Madhyamik Bidhyalaya, where you have come to learn something in life. As you have learnt to make shoes, use this skill and pass this skill to others as well.” He also wished them for better future and said that the prison is the bank to store the crime. “Leave all the crime in this prison and come out clean and contribute to the society,” said Acharya.
Talking in the program other Chief Guest, Shrestha motivated the prisoners to learn the good aspects from the jail and to work for better future.
Some participants shared their experiences, among them were Kusumba from Uganda, she said, “I am really glad that I participated in this program. I’ll take this idea and teach them to my country people. I consider myself lucky in this aspect.”
Another participant Sita Shrestha expressed gratitude towards organisers. “I learnt to make the velvet shoes. It has given me a hope that I can do something of my own to earn money for living.”
Also stationery items were provided to the school at the prison where 10 students are studying. The prison runs schools from Nursery to class five.
Photos: Moin Uddin