On a wintry Wednesday, the scene at Jail No. 6 of high security Tihar Jail was that of elation and warmth with a sense of achievement in the air.
It was not an insignificant fashion-related function but part of a big plan to make women convicts proficient in the craft of creating Indian garments like salwar kameez, kurtas, lehenga choli. The objective behind this new ambitious partnership between Tihar Jail and Pearl Academy is to make women prisoners breadwinners by becoming part of fashion industry. A fashion laboratory has been set up inside the jail so that women prisoners can hone their craft on pattern making tools, specialised sewing machines, overlock and ironing machines and dress forms pattern tables with cork top. So that once they are out of the jail they can take care of themselves and their families.
Teaching module will be in Hindi and three months training will be imparted only in Indian garments like salwar kameez, lehnga choli and how to do variations on kurta.
Women prisoners were happy to see designer Rina Dhaka, who is acting as an interface between the designer fraternity and prisoners. She presided over the event as chief guest and as a member of the FDCI she is one senior designer who has used her expertise to work with women and men inmates at this high security prison in 2014.
Nisha Sharma, instructor at Jail No. 6, said, “This initiative gives women prisoners a bigger role to play in creativity. I have worked with Rina previously for a project. Hopefully, she would be playing a bigger role in galvanising convicts as they have to stand on their own feet once they walk out of the jail.”
After scrutinising their work, a beaming Rina, said, “Technically, their skills have improved. Earlier this facility used to only have a stitching section. Now they are confident to open beauty parlours or do embroidery work on their own.”
Rina was delighted that the laboratory had so many facilities that she would like to “own one for her factory”. “A lab is also there in the men’s section but it is not as elaborate as the one set up for women. This one has cutting table, marker, pattern making chairs. The Academy is imparting the same course that is conceived for their students. If I am called to conduct master classes, I would be willing.”
Rina is eager to support those who complete the course. “The minute they are ready, I would contact Anju Mangla of Tihar and see how these women’s creativity can be best utilised. This is such a big labour force which can be harnessed for productivity.”
Rina, who knows inmates by their names, talks in a cheerful tone with a South African convict, who breaks into a broad smile after exchanging pleasantries with her. “When I visited the premises I was left awestruck by their professionalism and commitment. They had a desire and yearning to learn. So I provided them training and things started falling in place. They did not have a cutter. Now that this lab has been set up they would get training in chikankari and machine embroidery.”
Breaking the ice with convicts was not an easy task but Rina made multiple visits and engaged in conversation with them. “I speak with them like I converse with any other person and faced no difficulties. I had to start everything from a scratch. They were making simple uniform in men’s section. In the women’s cell there was nothing. In fact, women’s cell was set up in my presence. But the machines were not being put to proper use.So I gave them six to seven designs and patterns. I made them learn pattern making and crochet. I taught them cuts, embroidery.... .”
In 2014 when Rina was in London, she heard the good news that her work has finally seen the light of the day as it was showcased on the ramp set up inside the prison’s premises. That time she could not make it to the event but this time round she was able to enjoy the fashion show and recognise inmates who participated in the cultural programme. “We got so much mileage then and hopefully now also. It was covered everywhere. Our models were like any other professional model. They did a great job.”
FDCI president Sunil Sethi said: “We believe in the skill development programme and what the government is doing and I am more than happy to facilitate that.
We will be taking part in upgradation of this project. Instead of talking to others, designers can give opportunities to the inmates once they are trained.”
Professor Nandita Abraham. CEO, Pearl Academy said her institute was offering a unique opportunity to the women prisoners to help build a holistic and independent life after prison.
“Fashion lab is equipped with all the essential tools necessary for learning basics of design and construction. They would be equipped to work in export houses, set up their own tailoring units as often these women because of social stigma are not be allowed to work in a factory.”
For a fair society
For Shahnaz Husain working with visually impaired persons means has been an elevating experience. And now she will be taking his association to the next level by bringing them into mainstream of society.
Buoyed by their positive outlook towards life at her recent visit to Delhi Blind School, Shahnaz announced her plans of launching a new beauty training institute for the students inside the institute’s premises. She shared her plans of offering free beauty training skills and also promised Shamute and Shasight diplomas respectively for the visually challenged students. She said teachers of the Shahnaz Husain Beauty Academy are specially trained to teach students who are physically challenged and visually impaired.
