Gratitude: Suresh Tomar, Secretary, MP State Women's Commission, M R Patel, (DIG, Jail), Rakesh Bhangre (Superintendent, Central Jail, Bhopal) and Praveen Gangrade ( Director Anand Department)
“Voices Unlocked: Women Inmates Discover the Power of Communication” in Central Jail, Bhopal
- Learning to Speak: Basics of Communication as Therapy
- A Day of Discovery: From Silence to Self-Awareness
- Madhya Pradesh State Women’s Commission in collaboration with the Tinka Tinka Foundation, celebrate creativity in jail.
Anjani’s Dream Woven in Color and Courage
At 35, Anjani had one dream: to become a fashion designer. She filled out her application forms with hope, but when the institute learned she was from the transgender community, her form was rejected—her identity overshadowing her aspirations. Today, within the walls of Bhopal Central Jail, that dream has found new life.
Here, in a place where society often sees as the end, Anjani has found a beginning. “Outside, we face discrimination but inside these walls, I’ve found the freedom to learn,” she said. The jail, once a symbol of confinement, has become a space of possibility—offering her the education and encouragement she was denied on the outside. Her story is not just about fashion. It’s about dignity, resilience, and the power of second chances. Anjani stood tall among a crowd of women inmates, clutching a painting she had created—a vivid reflection of her dreams. With quiet strength and unwavering resolve, she declared, “I want to be a fashion designer.”
Rajni’s Journey: From Silence to Solace
At 62, Rajni’s story is one of quiet transformation. When she entered Bhopal Central Jail in 2005 as a convict, she was illiterate—unable to read or write, and burdened by the weight of her past but here, in the jail, she discovered something unexpected: peace.
Over the years, Rajni learned to read, to express herself, and most importantly, to find happiness. “Jail gave me something I never had outside—solace,” she said softly, her eyes reflecting years of introspection.
Rajni shared her journey through art. She held up a painting she had created—featuring a Tulsi plant and a glowing moon at its centre. The Tulsi, sacred and healing; the moon, serene and constant. Together, they symbolized her newfound faith and inner calm. Her story is a testament to the power of learning, healing, and spiritual growth—even in the most unlikely places.
Expressions Behind Bars: Stories of Hope from Bhopal Central Jail in Madhya Pradesh
These expressions were made by women prisoners in a special one-day workshop on TV and newspapers as a means of reform and personality development in the women's ward of Central Jail, Bhopal. This was organised by Madhya Pradesh State Women’s Commission in collaboration with the Tinka Tinka Foundation, on the eve of Nelson Mandela Day.
The exercise: Out of 200 women inmates in the jail, 115 were chosen for a discourse, later selecting a group of 50 women for the specialised workshop. The workshop was designed to address the communication needs of women inmates, helping them articulate their inner worlds through visual and verbal storytelling. From dreams to regrets, from aspirations to affirmations, the women used media as a mirror to reflect their evolving selves.
What women inmates expressed and the outcome: Women expressed their mental and emotional state through vibrant paintings on themes like dreams in jail etc, topics that have been dealt by Tinka Tinka Foundation in the past as apart of the annual awards given by them. These artworks became more than just creative exercises—they were windows into their inner worlds, tools for healing, and steps toward reclaiming their identities.
The workshop resulted in transforming the space into a canvas of dreams, resilience, and self-expression. The workshop carefully focused on the communication needs of women prisoners—a critical yet often overlooked aspect of rehabilitation. Through the mediums of TV and newspapers, the initiative aimed to foster personality development and prepare inmates for future employment.
These expressions weren’t just artistic—they were therapeutic. Even the illiterate women inmates came forward to express themselves with confidence. Rami, an inmate said, “ this was the best day in the jail, since I have come here. I am thrilled that I could express myself in such a unique manner.”
What the organisers felt: Member Secretary of the Commission, Suresh Tomar, emphasized the long-term vision behind such efforts. “The Commission has been organizing various programmes for skill development of women prisoners, and these initiatives will continue,” he said. “We will make continuous efforts for the upliftment of women and will soon conduct skill development programmes for women inmates in other jails. ”
Together, these voices—spoken and painted—signal a new chapter in rehabilitation: one where communication becomes a bridge to dignity, growth, and reintegration.
Professor Vartika Nanda, Head, Department of Journalism, Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University and Founder, Tinka Tinka Foundation said, “ Tinka Tinka Foundation is credited to introduce journalism in jails. This exercise is another step in this direction. We want to impart basic skills in these women, give them the opportunity to fill their empty time with something meaningful, provide them a purpose and address their communication needs. By doing so, we are able to also cater to their mental health. Today’s exercise has once again proved that incarcerated women must be given such platforms so that they are able to live a life of purpose and dignity.”
Jail Superintendent Rakesh Bhangre gave unwavering support to the entire exercise. He said, “ We have seen several organisations visiting us in the past but very few go deeper into the prison life and offer remedies for improving living conditions of inmates. I would say, today’s exercise has been a powerful step in fulfilling this.”
DIG jail M R Patel, Director and Anand Department Praveen Gangrade were also present during the event.
Background: Tinka Tinka Foundation is widely recognised for its seminal work in the form of a unique coffee table book- Tinka Tinka Madhya Pradesh- which was released by Shri Kiren Rijuji, then Minister of State for Home Affairs in 2018. This book stands out as an authentic documentation of prison life, capturing the lived experiences of 19 participants—including 12 male inmates, 2 female inmates, 4 children residing with their mothers in jail, and one prison guard (prahari). Through vivid visuals and personal narratives, the book offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the emotional, social, and psychological dimensions of incarceration. Her "Study of the condition of women inmates and their children in Indian Prisons and their communication needs with special reference to Uttar Pradesh" was been evaluated as OUTSTANDING by ICSSR and was released by Manoj Kumar Singh (IAS), Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh in 2024.
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In Press: 18 July, 2025: https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/life-of-woman-is-more-difficult-in-family-than-jail-say-female-prisoners
DAINIK BHASKAR: 18 JULY
DAINIK BHASKAR: 19 JULY
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