Jail inmates exhibit their creativity on canvas

MUMBAI, May 17: Nagpur jail inmate Deepak Wankhede serving life imprisonment is also an accomplished painter. His days in the prison are spe...

MUMBAI, May 17: Nagpur jail inmate Deepak Wankhede serving life imprisonment is also an accomplished painter. His days in the prison are spent putting strokes of bright colours on the canvas. A closer look at one such work reveals birds of different hues and sizes in flight, some perched contentedly on a tree branch, an image of hope.

Wankhede8217;s paintings are part of an exhibition-cum-sale of paintings, handicrafts and other items made by prison inmates and family members of jail staff organised by Maharastra police in collaboration with Crossroads Prison Ministries CPM, an NGO. These products, which are on display for the next 15 days, have been collected from various jails across the state including Mumbai, Nashik, Pune, Amravati, Akola, Aurangabad and Dhule.

According to Ravindra K, prison officer Nagpur jail, most of the goods exhibited were made by convicts serving life terms like Deepak, who had killed his college principal because he thought that the principal was trying to ruin his relationshipwith his girlfriend. Deepak was sentenced to death for his crime committed when he was in his final year at an art college. The sentence was later changed to life imprisonment.

8220;The idea behind organising the exhibition is to provide a much needed platform for the hidden talent and craftsmanship of the inmates,8221; says J Arthur Prem, president of CPM and Assistant Commissioner of Customs. 8220;The NGO was started six years ago with the purpose of helping jail inmates lead better lives,8221; he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde who inaugurated the exhibition, revealed that the state government had earned Rs 24 crore through the sale of these goods last year. This year there are hopes of doubling the earnings, he said, and promised to provide all necessary support to the prison authorities.

The exhibition at YMCA Boys Home, D N Road, Andheri West is on till May 31.