From us too: Products made by jail inmates go on sale at Hornbill Festival

Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Dec. 6 (EMN): Products made by convicts and jail inmates from across Nagaland are on sale at the Bamboo Pavilion of the ongoing Hornbill Festival at Kisama. Making their debut, the products are on sale at very ‘low cost.’
The products that have been put up for sale are the outcome of skill development training programmes conducted across the jails in the state to make the prisoners self-reliant after completing their jail term, said T Bendangsenla, assistant superintendent of Prisons (headquarters).
The products include bamboo baskets, woven seats, model houses, broom, detergent powder, trays, vermi compost and clothes among others.
Managing the stall is K. Ronald, assistant jailer of Prisons (headquarters). He said excitedly that the products were all handmade and prepared by the jail inmates from Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung and Phek. He informed that the proceeds will go into the account of the inmates. He said, ‘The sale has been good so far. We are making a sale of about INR 3000-4000 a day.’
The idea of skill development was conceptualised and initiated by Rupin Sharma, former director-general of prisons (headquarters). Training on culinary skills and making detergent powder, dishwashers, vermin-compost, and basketry were part of the programme.
Ronald said that about 200 inmates have been provided training in various skills, and that there were plans to cover 500 prisoners in the project.
The official has requested citizens to come and contribute to the prisoners’ efforts by buying their products which are being sold at very low prices. He added that the generosity of the people will help the inmates a lot.