A first: Shimla gets a book cafe run by jail inmates
: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh on Tuesday inaugurated a unique café in Shimla — one that is being run by jail inmates undergoing life imprisonment.
The book café, situated at Takka Bench, is above the Ridge and has been constructed at a cost of ₹20 lakh. Four prisoners, presently lodged in Kaithu jail, will work at the café, facilitating tourists and locals visiting the café.
Speaking at the inauguration, the CM said having a book café run by jail inmates is “a unique and innovative initiative”.
“Now, tourists will have yet another thing to look forward to when they visit the historic town of Shimla,” he said. “Society should not reject them (prisoners). They must be given opportunities to improve themselves and work to earn livelihood,” the chief minister said.
Virbhadra said that the company of books gives the pleasure of both company of man and Nature. “Every page of a good book is a storehouse of man’s noblest thoughts,” he said, adding that the café will have compilations from around the world. Shimla mayor Sanjay Chauhan said the café will be an “enticing place for tourists visiting Shimla
Jail superintendent RS Bhatia said four inmates will be present in the café, which began functioning on Tuesday. “It is a part of jail reforms — these prisoners have been trained by the best chefs from Shimla’s renowned hotels,” he said.
“This is an important part of our life and will be beneficial for the future of our families and kids,” said Jaichand, a jail inmate who has spent eight years behind bars. Yog Raj, another jail inmate, said, “It is the chance to get connected with outer world.”