This Article is From Jan 25, 2015

All India Radio to Showcase Talents of Prisoners

All India Radio to Showcase Talents of Prisoners

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Thiruvananthapuram: Prisoners in Kerala can now turn as artists or even inspirational speakers on the radio, thanks to an innovative programme initiated by All India Radio in Thiruvananthapuram.
      
The national broadcaster has launched a new weekly programme exclusively for the inmates lodged in various jails across the state to showcase their talents and share their aspirations and dreams with the outer society.
      
Titled as "Thiruthu" (correction), the programme, launched this month, is envisaged to bridge the gap between prisoners and the mainstream society, AIR sources in Thiruvananthapuram said.
      
The programme provides slots for prisoners to exhibit their creative talents, narrate about how they ended up behind the bars, caution listeners about the evils and traps in the society and share their dreams and aspirations about life, a senior AIR official said.
     
"Jails are now viewed as correction centres. The misdeeds of the inmates should be corrected through counseling and awareness. They should also get chance to repent about their past. The concept of our programme had got its start from that thought," MA Dileep, Deputy Director (Programmes) at AIR in Thiruvananthapuram, told PTI.
      
"The programme provides selected inmates a platform to narrate their life story. We hope their first-hand account will help several youngsters to keep away from crimes and evils". In the initial stage, inmates of three central prisons-- at Poojappura, Kannur and Viyyur--and two open jails in Nettukaltheri and Payyannur would be part of the programme, he said.
      
The prisoners, who have creative talents, in singing, reciting poems, presenting elocution or penning poems or short stories would be identified with the support of welfare officers in these jails for the programmes, he said.
      
"They will be given chance to present their artistic talents. Those who sincerely repent about their past and wishing to lead a good and positive life after the release will also be featured in it," he said.
       
Besides them, the ex-inmates who now lead a model and successful life in the society would also be featured in the 25-minute programme, he said.
       
The AIR has also made arrangements to broadcast the programme in all jails in the state and collect the feedback of the inmates and officials about it. Though the programme is just two-episode-old, the response from the listeners was remarkable, the official said.

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