The state social welfare department, as part of its New Year gift, has decided to introduce yoga classes for the inmates of the remand home at Dumardaga in Booty More. The classes will start from January, next year, and will continue for three months. The inmates will be imparted yoga lessons in batches. A trained yoga guru from Yoga Vidya Pith, Munger, has been roped in to teach different types of yoga to the 88 inmates of the home. The district welfare officer, the superintendent of remand home and government officials chalked out the programme at a meeting about 15 days ago.

The meeting was conducted under the aegis of M.N. Kerketta, the director of state social welfare department in collaboration with a local NGO, Action Against Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children, Jharkhand chapter. Explaining the objective behind introduction of yoga sessions at the home, district welfare officer S. Bara said the decision was taken to connect the inmates with the mainstream society. After learning the different forms of asanas, the inmates, who otherwise remain depressed and confined within the four walls of the home, will feel liberated.

The sessions are expected to work wonders for their confidence level, too. “As yoga is gaining popularity as a stress-buster, our inmates would also get to know the pros and cons of yoga, which will also serve as recreation to them,” Bara said.

Besides introducing yoga classes as a festive gift, we have decided to organise special programmes such as a grand feast and other extra curricular activities inside the campus to celebrate the New Year,” Bara, who is also the superintendent of remand home, added. Yoga, as a stress therapy, will particularly help those inmates who have committed crimes and are mentally disturbed. The asanas will relieve them of mental turmoil and they can be mentally and physically relaxed.

“Many a time, it has been observed that these inmates undergo different types of mental problems as they cannot forget the past and the crimes they have committed,” said Sanjay Mishra, the state co-ordinator of Action Against Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children.

Mishra added they were also going to distribute yoga journal among the inmates. These would act as a guide to healthy living.

“Valuable information on physical and spiritual wellbeing through the practice of yoga will be imparted to the inmates. This journal will acquaint the inmates with better health, nutrition, personal growth, fitness and inner peace,” added Mishra.

Kerketta said they were planning to introduce vocational courses for inmates such as computer and plumbering so that they remain engaged in different activities. Source