‘Sayunkt’ pickle by Udhampur jail inmates to hit shops shortly

Superintendent of Police, Jails, Rajni Sehgal assisting inmates in preparing organic pickle named as 'Sayunkt' inside District Jail Udhampur

Udhampur, Mar 6: To the outside world they may be hardcore criminals or offenders, but like others, they too have a positive side to their personality which earns them applaud and appreciation from the people.

Inmates of District Jail Udhampur, besides manufacturing hosiery, handicrafts, bags and other items are now waiting for their new product- 'Sayunkt' pickle- exclusively being made by them inside the four walls of the prison, to reach the market shelves.

According to Rajni Sehgal, Superintendent Jail, "Initially ten inmates have been trained for preparing the organic pickles inside the jails and soon it will be supplied in the market."

She said that seasonal vegetable pickles are being manufactured by the inmates by using simple homely ingredients, adding, "no artificial preservatives or chemicals are being used. Its being manufactured purely on 'Dadi Ma Ke Nuskhe' formula.

"Presently reddish, carrots, garlic, ginger, kale (common name karam saag) pickles is being made and in the coming days, mango, citron (common name: gargal) will be prepared.

However, on brand name 'Sayunkta', the SP Jail said the name is self explanatory.

It stands for togetherness, united and this is what actually the inmates are doing, it is their collective effort.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Director General Prisons, Dilbagh Singh said, "We want to channelise the energies of inmates positively and under skill development programmes, they are being engaged in many activities."

"Engagements in different tasks keeps them occupied and away from evil thoughts,'' Singh told UNI.

The Director General further said that the inmates lodged in jails across the state are being utilised positively and reformed.

Several of them are actively participating in carpentry, weaving, Kashmiri handicraft, laundry, making jute and paper bags, he said adding, "We also have established 'Bikri Kendra' outside District Jail Jammu wherein the products, items being manufactured inside jails are put on sale and people love to purchase them."

"We believe in quality and giving it to the people through this medium," he added.

The top cop said that such initiatives and activities bring positive change.

"Inmates contributing in manufacturing and taking part in skilled activities, after their release, can easily join the mainstream and earn for their families."

Singh, however, said that meditation programmes are also being organised time to time by the 'Art of Living' organisation to help inmates fight stress and maintain a peaceful atmosphere. UNI