New Delhi, Nov 19 (PTI) Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday inaugurated a new gaushala and three information and communication technology initiatives inside the Tihar Jail complex, an official said.
The event, held in the presence of Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood and senior officials of the Delhi government, marks a push towards blending tradition with modern reform under the broader vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tihar jail authorities said in a statement.
On this occasion, LG Saxena said that the Tihar Gaushala and Tihar Bakery mark a significant step towards the reform and rehabilitation of prisoners, which will contribute to a positive change in society.
Sood said that this is not just an administrative programme, but an important effort to advance social responsibilities with a scientific approach.
“Detailed information about these initiatives was presented before us, and what impressed me the most was the impact assessment of the schemes,” Sood said.
He said that for inmates suffering from loneliness, cow therapy offers a new ray of hope. It is a psychological method that can help eliminate loneliness.
He also said that he has proposed to the LG the creation of a state-of-the-art gaushala in Tihar Jail, with financial assistance from the government and a well-organised system for the upkeep of cattle.
The Delhi minister said that between January 1 and January 19, 2025, Delhi Police received 25,000 complaints related to stray and abandoned cattle. Our existing gaushalas have a total capacity of 19,800, whereas more than 21,800 animals are currently sheltered.
In such a situation, the new initiative at Tihar Jail, where currently 10 cows have been given shelter, may seem like a small beginning, but it is a visionary step. He congratulated the jail administration, the DGP, and the entire team for taking this important step.
Sood also spoke about Tihar Jail Bakery’s products, adding that the items produced in Tihar Jail are of excellent quality and that he would request the Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, to bring a proposal before the Cabinet to allow the use of Tihar Bakery products in all Delhi government offices.
According to officials, the newly established gaushala aims to preserve indigenous cow breeds, particularly Sahiwal cattle.
“It has also been designed to help inmates generate income while serving their sentence, enabling them to support their families. The facility will additionally offer cow therapy to inmates who are lonely or do not receive visits from their families, contributing to emotional well-being inside the prison,” read the statement.
The LG also launched the digital integration of Tihar’s baking school, enabling its products to be sold online through the ONDC network and the My Store platform.
“This will allow the public to purchase Tihar-made goods from home, creating a wider market reach and supporting inmates involved in production,” it added.
The third initiative, an Inventory Management System, will streamline the tracking and procurement of essential items such as food supplies and medicines. The system will allow real-time monitoring, trigger alerts for reorders and improve transparency, accountability and efficiency in jail operations, read the statement.
In addition, a new website for NGOs working with Tihar was unveiled. NGOs can now register free of cost and upload details of their activities after approval. The platform is aimed at fostering collaboration among NGOs and strengthening rehabilitation efforts.
Senior officers of the prison, including Director General (Prisons) SBK Singh, were present during the programme. PTI BM SHB HIG
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