Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 14 (HBTV): Central Jail Raipur has undertaken a unique initiative to engage prisoners in educational activities such as astrology, Ayurveda, and the study of rituals associated with various Hindu ceremonies, aiming to promote transformation through positive engagement.

These efforts are part of an ongoing campaign to encourage inmates toward constructive behaviour and self-development.

Superintendent of Central Jail Raipur, Yogesh Singh, said, ‘Sanskrit Vidya Mandalam offers courses from class 6th to 12th. Sanskrit courses are provided from class 6th to 12th, and vocational education in Sanskrit is also offered in classes 11th and 12th, in which astrology, Ayurveda, and various rituals are taught. This is also a kind of skill development. A total of 68 prisoners are currently studying in this course.’

He added that 291 prisoners are enrolled in primary, secondary, high school, open school examinations, and undergraduate and postgraduate courses conducted by Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University (PRSU) and IGNOU.

‘Through this course, the jail administration has tried to engage the prisoners in positive activities, and we believe that after being released from jail, they will engage in positive activities,’ Singh said.

Highlighting the Sanskrit education programme, Singh explained that prisoners in classes 11 and 12 are receiving professional instruction in astrology, Ayurveda, and religious studies, categorising it as skill development since the curriculum is related to professional practice.

He noted, ‘There is ample time when the prisoners are in jail. They can use the time in constructive or even negative activities. We provide them opportunities to utilise it in a positive activity. Through the Sanskrit teaching, we are helping them think in a positive direction.’

(ANI)