Boxer walks the ramp to highlight plight of prisoners

“Right from my childhood,I have visited jails once or twice a year. My father always emphasised the need to give inmates a chance to live with dignity once they have served their sentence. I believe they should be given a chance to serve society in some way or another,” Akhil said.

The boxer walked the ramp along with fellow boxer and Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Singh and celebrities like singer Shibani Kashyap.

Sanjana,the sister of designer Anand Jon,who has been sentenced to 59 years in a US jail on charges of rape and molestation,hosted a two-hour event,Creative Tihar,at the jail. The show also featured handicrafts made by the inmates. Several inmates walked the ramp,wearing clothes designed by Sanjana.

“Sanjana contacted us a couple of weeks ago for the fashion show and we readily agreed. I once visited Tihar jail for its annual sports meet and was surprised to see the products made by the inmates. It will be the second time I will be walking the ramp. Since it is for a good cause,I guess I will be less nervous than the first time,” the 28-year-old boxer from Bhiwani,who lost in the quarter-finals in Beijing,said shortly before the show started.

As fellow boxer Vijender Singh has been a regular on the fashion circuit,walking the ramp on more than than a dozen occasions,Akhil said more sportspersons should come forward to promote social causes. “Youngsters look up to us for inspiration and it is our duty to send the right message across. We can influence at least some sections of society and help prevent drug abuse or provide education to underprivileged children,” Akhil said.

Tihar spokesperson Sunil Gupta said the jail authorities promote the products made by the inmates to use the money thus raised for their rehabilitation after their release. “Last year,the turnover of Tihar jail factory was Rs 6.5 crore and this year our target is Rs 10 crore,” Gupta said.