Alipore jail inmates to get computer lessons

KOLKATA: The inmates of Alipore Correctional Home are all set to attend computer literacy classes. The computer training centre was inaugurated on Tuesday. The inmates would be trained under project Umeed by Vedanta Foundation (VF), an organization running computer literacy centers in correctional homes across the country.

Anandamoy Sardar, a lifer and former tutor from Kultoli, will don the teacher’s hat and teach computer to his fellow inmates. Sardar, who has been serving his term for nearly six years now, was selected for the post by VF. Other faculty members will be from Microsoft. Sardar was arrested during a political clash in the South-24-Parganas. While the SUCI activist had completed his BSc second year prior to his imprisonment, he fnished his graduation in prison. He has also done basic computer courses.

“I used to give private tuition to students in my locality. Now I will be able to pursue the profession in the prison,” said an elated Sardar. VF will be giving him a monthly salary of Rs 3000 which will be handed over to his family by the jail authority.

The other prisoners were equally excited. “Acquiring this new skill could be of help when I am out of the prison. But I do not know if I would be selected as I have studied only till class VIII. I am keeping my fingers crossed,” said Sheikh Azan, who was convicted for a dacoity.

“The classes will be conducted through batches of 18 students each. This is an effort to bring the inmates into the mainstream,” said minister of correctional administration Shankar Chakravorty.

Be Sociable, Share!

•