‘SahaJ Phulkaari’, a step towards ensuring livelihood security for women Jail inmates

Fatehgarh Sahib : District Legal Services Authority, Fatehgarh Sahib under the aegis of Punjab Legal Services Authority (PULSA) and under the able guidance of Sh. Manjinder Singh, Member Secretary Punjab State Legal Services Authority and Sh. Arun Gupta, District and Sessions Judge, Fatehgarh Sahib launched a novel project named ‘SahaJ Phulkari’ to provide livelihood security and for development of Job Skills of women inmates lodged in New District Jail Nabha.
Speaking on the occasion Mrs. Manpreet Kaur, Secretary DLSA, Fatehgarh Sahib informed that ‘SahaJ Phulkari’ is an initiative to help (Sahayata) women Jail inmates develop their skills in stitching, phulkari making and embroidery etc to provide them sustainable livelihood security in jail as well as when they are released form confinement.
The scheme is being launched in Collaboration with Patiala Handicraft WCIS Ltd and Rotary Club Patiala. Under this project about 30 to 40 women inmates will be trained in the art of Phulkari making, embroidery and stitching etc. The trainees will be imparted training for about 2-3 months and raw material etc shall be provided free of cost.
Once trained, market linkages to sell the finished product have also been planned. It is worth mentioning that Phulkari products are in great demand in Northern India and some foreign countries. The project is seen as a step to provide livelihood security to women inmates lodged in New District Jail Nabha with a focus on reform rather than punishment.
This training started under the Master Trainer Rekha Maan, a National Awardee. After phulkari training, Production house will be started with the expertise of Rekha Maan. Sh. Ramandeep Singh Bhangu, Superintendent New District Jail Nabha. Sh. Harpreet Singh, Officiating Deputy Superintendent New District Jail Nabha, Sh. Puneet Garg, Assistant Superintendent, Sh. Rahul Chaudhary, Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Harwinder Kaur Secretary Rotary Club Patiala, Dr. Inderpreet Singh, Er. Phul Chand, Sh. Om Parkash, President Shani Dev Temple were present on the occasion and spoke about the aims of the scheme.