From jail to Shimla’s book café, inmates turn their lives around
SHIMLA: The Queen of the Hills is known for her quaint coffee shops. But there is a book café with a difference that is hitting headlines of late.
The newly opened book café at Taka Bench (see box) on The Ridge in Shimla has become an attraction with not only tourists but also local residents as it has two life convicts working as chefs. Besides providing books and magazines, the café serves snacks baked by inmates at Shimla’s Kaithu jail.
Set up by the Shimla municipal corporation, the café is being run by two convicts — Jaichand and Yog Raj — serving life sentence at the Kaithu jail.
Life took a turn for Jaichand, 46, eight years ago, when court found him guilty of abetment to his wife’s suicide. Hailing from Hamirpur, Jaichand now works eight hours a day at the café. “I used to work at a Manali hotel. And in jail, I was working in the bakery and canteen,” said Jaichand.
“My 16-year-old son is fond of books. He’s good in studies and got 88% marks in Class 12 last year,” he said, adding that he regrets spending years in jail instead of spending time with his son.
Another inmate, Yog Raj, 36, who was sentenced for murder eight years ago, says they have been selected from group of inmates engaged in various activities in the jail.
“Working in the café is altogether a different experience. It gives me a feeling of freedom after many years,” said Yog Raj, who used to work as an electrician.
Working under the watchful eyes of jail authorities, both Yog Raj and Jaichand return to their barracks in the jail at 8pm, when the café closes, said superintendent of police (jails) RS Bhatia, adding they were selected due to their good conduct in the jail.
Around 150 people visit the café on a daily basis. The café is located at Taka Bench, a spot situated right above The Ridge and on the way to the famous Jakhu temple. Taka Bench — a place used by locals to spend leisurely time — earned its sobriquet during the British Raj when a person visiting the place was charged 1 taka (78 paisa).
The café is a mini-library, says Shimla MC deputy mayor Tikender Singh Panwar.
“Besides books, magazines and newspapers, visitors are also served pizzas, cakes, biscuits and other eatables baked in the Kaithu jail by inmates,” he said, adding “the MC alone was not in position to run the café, so we collaborated with the jail department.”
A tourist from Delhi, Satyam Khanna, said: “I was excited to come to the café after I got to know that it is being run by inmates. I met them... they are humble and hospitable. It’s hard to believe that they are prisoners and are convicted for life.”