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Grocery kits distributed to discharged prisoners
| Photo Credit: C Venkatachalapathy
When 50-year-old Ramesh (name changed) from Arcot was discharged from prison four years ago, he was at a crossroads. His family had deserted him. The Discharged Prisoners Aid Society (DPAS), Vellore, came to his rescue and he set up a tailoring shop in his locality.
“Initially I faced some stigma, but now people treat me with respect as I am working hard. However due to the lockdown, business is very dull. I am struggling to make ends meet now,” said Ramesh.
DPAS members claim to have helped 200 discharged prisoners in the last 10 years in the combined Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts.
HE was a top student.
Upon completing secondary school, he was received by an institute of higher learning to embark on foundation in law. His parents, a fisherman and a food stall vendor from a small coastal village in Malaysia, were proud of and had high hopes for their bright son. With the good grades he consistently churned out, his future seemed sealed.
Then things took an about turn. Ashraf (not his real name), then 18, was arrested. His parents were shocked. Even the judge he stood before in court couldn’t believe how a student who had always excelled in school was now being accused of rape.