Life convict turns trainer for over 400 jail inmates
LUCKNOW : Come June 21, a life convict will be seen leading over 400 Lucknow jail inmates in performing intricate yoga ‘asanas’ while celebrating the International Yoga Day on the prison premises here.
Serving life term for murder, Krishnanand Diwedi, 50, who is housed in a solitary cell, was given the assignment to train prison inmates because of his self-taught expertise and passion for yoga. Almost a month ago when jail officials received an advisory from the Ayush department to oraganise a yoga session on the jail premises on International Yoga Day, Diwedi was summoned to the jailor’s office and asked to train the jail inmates.
“His knowledge about yoga makes him an asset to us. So, instead of looking for a yoga trainer, we sought Diwedi’s help to train the other inmates,” said senior superintendent of Lucknow prison PN Pandey.
As per Ayush department direction, the prison authorities have to involve maximum prisoners for the event. For this, Dwivedi’s involvement worked as a big attraction. “The prisoners relate with him because he is one of them. This helped us select over 400 prisoners for yoga training,” Pandey said. The offer to be a trainer, Dwivedi says, gave him a new opportunity to help others and to improve himself in the process. “Each one of us is in the prison because either we did something wrong or because of our fate. I believe yoga can help us mend ourselves and eventually our fate,” Dwivedi said. He claims that yoga helped him get over the “lowest point in my life”.
A resident of Falahgarah area of Unnao district and a PWD contractor, Dwivedi was put behind bars for murder.
“June 4, 2003 was the day I surrendered and was put behind bars. My life turned upside down and days went from bad to worse,” he said. He was awarded life imprisonment. This pushed Dwivedi into a well of despair and as days passed, the jail environment took a toll on his health. “I was on a verge of losing my sanity, my body stopped reacting to natural stimulus and the world looked like a dark well,” Dwivedi said.
I practise yoga for around 4 hours every day and want to master all the important 84 yogic ‘asanas’ given in Vedas KRISHNANAND DIWEDI
During one of those frightful days, Dwivedi decided to make a fresh start. The motivation for this came from the flowering plants.
“It was in the spring of 2007 that I noticed a row of marigold flowers covered with bright yellow flowers. Its beauty forced me to come out of my barrack and volunteer for garden work,” he said. The next day, he got up early and tried yoga. From that day he has not missed a single yoga session till date, he says.
Nowadays Dwivedi starts his morning routine with simple ‘asanas’ before imparting an hour-long training to other prisoners from 7 am. Breakfast comes next, followed by a dedicated session of tougher ‘asanas’.
“I practise yoga for around 4 hours every day and want to master all the important 84 yogic ‘asanas’ given in Vedas,” Dwivedi said. His remaining time is spent reading books on yoga, religion and spirituality.
With trial of three other cases related to the same murder pending, there is little chance that Dwivedi will taste freedom in his remaining life. He understands this. Yet, he refuses to give up hope of freedom and has plans, too.
“I want to start a yoga academy after my release and also become a social worker to help those in need,” he said.
When asked if he was never released from prison, he said: “At least I will be remembered for Yoga Day preparation. One day the almighty will summon me to his court. But I will continue my yoga even there,” he said with a smile.