Munish Sood
MANDI: Inside the high walls of Model Central Jail, Kanda, the atmosphere turned unusually serene this week. Instead of the routine clang of locks and the weight of silence, the prison resonated with devotional songs, meditation chants and messages of hope.
The change was brought by a three-day spiritual camp, part of the Antarkranti Project of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan, which aims to reform and rehabilitate inmates across the country. Both jail staff and prisoners participated in the program that concluded with a promise of inner healing.
Addressing the inmates, Swami Vigyananand Ji, disciple of Divya Guru Shri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji, said: “A person without spirituality is as incomplete as a lamp without flame.”
He explained that India’s strength lies in its spiritual traditions of yoga, meditation, Ayurveda and devotion. “Spirituality is not an abstract idea—it is a way of life. It teaches us harmony, peace, and the universal message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the whole world is one family.”
For many inmates, his words were transformative. A few admitted that, for the first time in years, they felt a sense of inner freedom greater than any physical release.
While speaking to The Newz Radar, Susheel Kumar, Superintendent of Model Central Jail-Kanda, said the initiative is a powerful reminder that prisons must focus on transformation, not just confinement.
“Jail walls can hold a person, but true change comes only from within. When inmates find peace through spirituality, they return to society as reformed individuals. This is not just good for them—it’s good for society too,” he said.
He added that programmes like these reduce stress and aggression among inmates and help create a healthier environment inside prisons. “Discipline and order are important, but real rehabilitation comes when an inmate begins to value life again. This camp gave many of them that spark,” he observed.
The camp was inaugurated with a lamp-lighting ceremony by Superintendent Susheel Kumar, in the presence of Rameshwar Thakur and Swami Vigyananand Ji. Bhajans by Mahatma Baldev and Raj Kumar added depth to the experience, offering inmates a rare moment of solace and reflection.
The Antarkranti Project has been active across India’s prisons, but each camp leaves its own imprint. By blending ancient wisdom with modern rehabilitation needs, it encourages inmates to embrace self-awareness and hope.
