From being behind bars to walking down the ramp, a group of women prisoners at Tihar jail who have just finished a fashion course now have a new door open for them.
The first batch of at least 20 inmates at the Tihar Fashion Laboratory, started by the jail and Pearl Academy in February, graduated on September 9 at a ceremony that included a runway show.
Teaching skills
Aimed at providing women inmates with skills that will help them lead independent lives after being released, the programme includes training in pattern-making and constructing Indian wear.
At the fashion show, the inmates walked the ramp wearing the clothes designed by Pearl Academy students and stitched by the inmates themselves.
Later in the evening, they were handed over their certificates. Sudhir Yadav, the Director-General of Prisons, said the programme had changed the lives of the women inmates in a few months.
‘Amazing response’
“This is the first time that any educational institution has partnered with us. Through this course, we have seen active participation and an amazing response from inmates for living their dream of becoming entrepreneurs or skill-based workers,” Mr. Yadav said.
Help after prison life
Pearl Academy chief executive officer Nandita Abraham added that the certificate course would help the women inmates earn a living after they exit the prison.
Training for the next batch will start soon, a statement issued by the academy stated.
