Days after jailbreak, Tihar official thanks inmates who kept order

Parimarjan, a show put together by jail authorities and NGOs in Tihar’s jail no 3, treated hundreds of inmates to an evening of music and entertainment. Though such programmes are held every few months here, this was the first such event after the escape of two undertrials, who were both arrested later.

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The opening act of the show was a performance by a band headed by Sunny, an inmate. He was joined by former inmate Bhagirath, the winner of Tihar Idol 2010, a singing competition modelled along the lines of popular reality show Indian Idol.

As the audience cheered on, Bhagirath, 31, belted out popular Hindi songs. He also dedicated a song to the time he had spent in prison, longing for his family and home.

When he asked how many inmates missed home, several hands shot up across the open lawn inside the prison where the prisoners had gathered to enjoy the show.

Later, while speaking to The Indian Express, Bhagirath recalled how the musical lessons he had picked up at Tihar’s IGNOU vocational training course helped him begin a new life and make an honest living.

“I never knew I was talented enough to sing and play the drums till I began music lessons under IGNOU, besides the BCom course I was pursuing in jail,” he said.

“When I walked out of prison in 2013, I couldn’t find work because no one was willing to take me in. I tried getting a job as a driver and a factory hand, but I didn’t have a clean background. So, I sold off my house in Najafgarh and set up a music academy with the money. I now give music lessons to children of all age groups, so that they stay away from a life of poverty and crime,” he added.

Other highlights of the evening included a dance performance by some inmates, who were greeted with loud applause, and Haryanvi singer Karamveer Fauji’s jugalbandi with his partner Sheenam Kaithlik. An Iftar party was also organised for the 200-odd Muslim inmates fasting for the holy month of Ramzan.