Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Feb 25: A unique initiative aimed at providing self-reliance to prison inmates through horticulture has come to a standstill at the Mangaluru district prison. The sapling sale centre, which was established to sell plants nurtured by inmates, now stands empty and locked.

The sale centre was opened some time ago near the MG Road diversion on Jail Road. While it functioned successfully for a brief period, the project began to fail due to a lack of maintenance. Reports suggest that many saplings withered away due to a lack of watering and were eventually moved out, with no new stock arriving since.

The project was initially conceptualized by jailer Obaleshappa, who aimed to train inmates in nursery management. Under the guidance of experts, 30 inmates with agricultural backgrounds were trained to grow various decorative plants, including crotons, hibiscus, jasmine, and royal palms.

A group of 16 inmates had successfully nurtured these plants, earning appreciation from the then deputy commissioner Mullai Muhilan. The district administration had subsequently facilitated the setting up of the sale centre outside the prison premises to provide a market for these products.

Following the transfer of the former deputy commissioner and the jailer, the initiative lost its momentum. The sale centre has now turned into a dumping ground, filled with heaps of stones, dry leaves, and branches. The iron structures installed for the nursery have started to rust, and the promotional banners have been removed.

The move, which was seen as a model for inmate rehabilitation and skill development, currently remains shelved. Local citizens have expressed disappointment over the closure of the nursery, noting that a well-maintained centre could have provided quality plants to the public while supporting the welfare of the prison inmates.