Professor Vartika Nanda: NHRC, MHA AND MEA: Global Summit: Tinka Tinka Foundation represented Indian Prisons: 17 September, 2026

Sep 17, 2026

NHRC, MHA AND MEA: Global Summit: Tinka Tinka Foundation represented Indian Prisons: 17 September, 2026

Prof. (Dr.) Vartika Nanda, Indian Prison Reformer, Media Educator and Founder, Tinka Tinka Foundation, delivered a session on “Life Behind Bars: A Human Rights Perspective” on Day-4 of the ITEC Capacity-Building Programme for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).

In her session, Prof. Nanda highlighted the significant role of art, music, literature and other creative avenues in the rehabilitation and reformation of prisoners. She elaborated on the initiatives undertaken by the Tinka Tinka Foundation to promote constructive engagement among jail inmates, including the introduction to Tinka Tinka Prison radio and art-based programmes in various district jails across different states in India.

Drawing upon experiences from Agra Jail, Panipat Jail and Dehradun Jail, she presented examples of the prison-reform model and shared stories illustrating the transformative impact of creative engagement, especially ‘Prison Radio’ and its impact on the lives of inmates. She explained that the introduction of prison radio has contributed to improved communication skills, emotional well-being, meaningful engagement, mental health and a greater sense of cheer and enthusiasm among prisoners. Such initiatives also provided inmates with constructive means of expressing themselves which helped them channel their thoughts positively, reduced their aggression and gave them a renewed sense of direction and purpose.

Prof. Nanda further shared inspiring stories of individual transformation, including the publication of women prisoner’s literary work- “Tinka Tinka Tihar – 2013,” re-released by Director General, Delhi Prisons in 2023. Radio in Prison by National Book Trust and J se Jail by Prabhat Prakashan were also mentioned.

Prof. Nanda emphasised the need for greater access to creative outlets, supportive public policies and sustained administrative engagement to strengthen prison reforms and rehabilitation through art and music. This prestigious International Summit is organised by NHRC, Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and is attended by participants from over 50 countries. Dr. Nanda represented Indian Prisons at this International forum.