“I have entered into a discussion with an organization ‘Argobbhawya’, which has started providing financial back-ups to economically distressed people with potential, since they (prisoners) find it hard to sustain after their release due to the social stigma. They can’t even buy a ‘Toto’ (mechanised rickshaw) or ice crushing machine as it is difficult for them to get funds,” she said.
“Everyone deserves a second chance if not a third one and apart from Nigel Akkara, who had enacted the role of bandit Ratnakar in ‘Valmiki Pratibha’ and film ‘Muktodhara’, there have been others like a chef in a well-known Bengali speciality restaurant who has found a new lease of life after serving jail terms and an entrepreneur who has set up a start-up after release from jail employing some other ex-convicts.”
Alakananda had also staged “Mokshagati”, based on the life of Emperor Ashoka, with the inmates of two correctional homes.
(Sourced from agencies, feature image courtesy:thebetterindia.com)
