Pune: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, eight women prisoners who are doing extraordinary work or service inside jails were given Tinka Tinka Bandini Awards.
The awards are given in two categories - one honouring “skill and kaushal” and the other honouring art and creativity. Out of the the five awardees, one is on the death row and three on life imprisonment.
Fehmida Hanif Sayyed, lodged in Nagpur Jail, Maharashtra, has been chosen for helping the prison administration and also taking part in creative activities inside the jail. 54-year-old Fehmida is in jail since 2012 and was awarded the death sentence. She is currently pursuing her BA second year through IGNOU. She has been chosen under the category of “skill and kaushal”. According to police officials, she is a convict in the 2003 twin blasts at Zaveri Bazaar and Gateway of India in Mumbai.
The awards were released on the backdrop of the National Memorial of Cellular Jail, Andamans by Rashmi Singh, Secretary, Social Welfare and General Administration, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The awardees will be presented a certificate and a special bedsheet designed and made by inmates of Ujjain Prison, Madhya Pradesh. This is an attempt to promote skills inside jails.
Initiated for the first time in 2016, these awards were conceptualised for women inmates contributing towards betterment of jails and showing clear signs of reformation. The names were selected after receiving nominations from the officials responsible for the prisons. These awards are aimed at bringing change in the lives of the inmates and drawing attention towards human rights.
Tinka Tinka is an initiative by Dr Vartika Nanda, a prison reformer to bring change in the lives of the inmates.
Profile of some awardees
Minaben Harsurbhai Khuman (38), imprisoned in Central Jail, Rajkot, Gujarat was recommended by the jail authorities for her meritorious services as a teacher. Serving life imprisonment, she has dedicated herself to teaching children of the inmates lodged in the jail. She is considered a role model for other inmates.
Saroj Devi (30), lodged in District Jail, Firozabad was chosen for her contribution for stitching clothes for inmates and their children. Lodged in jail since 2014, her contribution towards Swachhata Abhiyan in jail and encouraging inmates to play has yielded positive results.
Muskan Oatwani (26), imprisoned in Central Jail, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh was chosen for first prize in the category of painting. Baby Sahu (27), convict in Central Jail, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh was also chosen as awardee in this category. They have made sketches depicting the life of women and children inside the jails.