Gangster learns art of living

The Telegraph, February 6, 2012. Gangster Akhilesh Singh reforming? Well, the signs are there. The seasoned criminal, who is cooling his heels at Ghaghidih Central Jail, has opted for a rigorous advanced course in Art of Living — the first inmate of the prison to choose the programme that aims at bringing reforms in a person through self-purification. Akhilesh, facing trial in more than 40 criminal cases, has already undergone the primary course with the weeklong three-hour a day training ending yesterday. He will start the advanced training, which will require him to master difficult, yogic asanas for nine hours a day for another week, tomorrow. A senior instructor from the Art of Living Foundation Susheela Singh will act as his tutor. “The Art of Living classes bring reforms in a person whether he is in jail or outside. We want several other hardcore criminals to undergo this unique training. Akhilesh Singh is the first candidate to opt for the advanced course in Ghaghidih Central Jail,” said jail superintendent Tushar Ranjan Gupta. Speaking to The Telegraph, Susheela said the advanced course mainly comprises meditation and Padma Sadhana. “In Padma Sadhana, one has to practise different yogic asanas in complete silence. This is followed by nadiodhan prakriya (nerve purifying) process,” she added. Besides, Akhilesh has to observe complete silence for three consecutive days, the instructor said. Ghaghidih jail started conducting the classes after an MoU was signed between the Art of Living Foundation and IG (prisons) Vijay Kumar Singh last month. “Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living works wonders, bringing about positive changes in those who have deviated into the world of crime. We are confident that the course will be effective in reforming even the most hardcore criminals and hence, signed an MoU with the NGO to conduct classes in jails,” Vijay Kumar said. According to the agreement, the course will be conducted in all 26 jails of the state. Prison officials revealed that around 1,000 hardcore criminals out of 18,000 undertrial and convicted prisoners currently lodged in jails across the state would be benefited. Source: The Telegraph
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