Charting Milk Routes from Jails

By Awanish Somkuwar

I am seriously thinking of starting a dairy after I complete my jail term. I have learnt some basic things required for running a dairy, says 36-year-old Mangilal Kurmi a prisoner in the Central Jail Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.

Mangilal is an active member of a group of prisoners that manages Shrikrishna Gau Shala (cow shed) in the jail premises. Bhopal central jail has the biggest cowshed having at least 700 bovine animals including about 600 cows. More than 50 prisoners manage the cow shed in groups. We get about 100 litre milk, which is given to ailing prisoners and children of women prisoners, informs the Jail Superintendent G. P. Tamrakar.




Surabhai Gaushala at Central Jail Gwalior - Prisoners Feeding the Cows

In this unique initiative, the Madhya Pradesh Government is promoting dairies as micro-economic activity to boost rural economy. Each poor family is being given three cows especially in the name of female members under the Godan Yojana. Steps like charting the milk routes and developing market spaces for milk trading are being seriously considered. Learning the rudiments of dairying in jail premises will help the prisoners have a potential livelihood option when they go out to start life afresh, says Director General of Jail G. P. Sinha.

At present prisoners in eight central jails are managing Gau Shalas or cowsheds. Why cannot prisoners do some constructive work? questions Sinha, while elaborating the idea of running cowsheds in jails. If rigorous imprisonment transforms into a skill-oriented enterprise, nothing like it.

The Shrikrishna Gau Shala is gaining popularity among prisoners of other jails as this has given multiple benefits, informs GP Tamrakar. About 25 quintals of cow dung every is obtained using which we prepare nearly 20 quintals of organic manure every month. This bio-fertilizer is used in 30-acre farm under jurisdiction and organically grown vegetables are cooked for jail inmates, he says.

Prisoners like Nafis are happy to learn something that would help them once they go out. I have learnt how to prepare wormi-compost. Something good I have learnt in jail spending my time caring the cows. For Chootelal managing the cowshed is a peace giving and soul-purifying job. This, he said is a sort of repentance. Another prisoner Gyan Singh Bhuchar informs that he has recently completed a training of manufacturing Ayurvedic drugs and bio-pesticides using the cow urine. 




A view of "Adarsh Gau-Seva Sadan
at Center Jail, Satna

He says that products like mosquito repellent sticks, Panchagavya and pesticides have economic potential. In addition it is a peace-giving work as we take pride in doing something meaningful, he says. Another prisoner Vijay is happy for health reasons. I take cow urine for medicinal purpose every day due to which my long persisting gastric trouble has gone.

Prisoners like Kanhaiya and Jagannath feel that they are doing some holy work, which could be a source of livelihood for them as the milk is universally required. The jail administration has recently installed biogas plant, which is saving Rs. 20 thousand every month on cooking for the prisoners. Prisoners also manage the biogas plant. The Shrikrishna Gau Shala is systematically managed by groups of prisoners. First group comprising at least 12 prisoners maintain cleanliness, second of 18 prisoners arrange fodder, while third group of 10 prisoners collect milk and the fourth one takes basic health care work. The Jail administration is planning to open Panchagavya Drug manufacturing unit. Panchagavya is a useful combination of cow dung, cow milk, Ghee, cow urine and curd offered into Havan to purify atmosphere by keeping away invisible germs.

Measuring the prospects of dairy business for the prisoners in their after-jail life, the Gwalior Central Jail has sent a proposal to the state government to provide two cows to prisoners for their socio-economic rehabilitation. It is a matter of pride for us as Lord Krishna also served cows says Motilal, who is serving five year jail term at Gwalior Central Jail. Prisoners in Gwalior Central Jail premises run Surabhi Gau Shala, which has about 25 cows, giving an average 20 litre milk per day. Around 2.5 quintals of cow dung obtained from the Gau Shala is used in making quality organic manure. Installation of 45 cubic metre capacity bio-gas plant has been planned.




Prisoners Maintaining Cow Shed at Center Jail, Satna

Prisoners too have realized the importance of bio-gas. Bio-gas comfortably saves money, says Gyan Singh who occasionally does cooking work.

Cows give us a lot apart from money says Bhagwan Singh an active member of the group which manages the cow shed. Others like Shivraj describe taking care of bovine cattle as a religious act of high merit. While some prisoners find dairy a lucrative business, there are some like Vimal Raikwar, Horilal and Ramkumar in Central Jail Morena who find it a tough job. It is not a part time work as we do. Cows need care like our daughters and mothers, they say. Others like Hukku and Chunnu for whom economic gains matter a little have different reason to feel happy. We have realized the worth of selfless service, they say with a sense of remorse. Most of them express thank to the government for starting Gau Shalas in Jails while some want to run a small canteen and restaurant near Jails in which food items cooked by prisoners could be served to visitors.

They have many such ideas, which of course can not be realized within governments limitations but one thing is apparently clear that Madhya Pradesh Jails are brining about an economic awareness among the prisoners offering them livelihood options when they go out to start their life with a new zeal. Charkha Feature

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