Voices from Jail: Main Hoon Tinka: Dehradun jail inmates created a special signature tune

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Dr. Suchit Narang, Rohit Verma and Arun are the artists incarcerated in Dehradun’s Suddhowala Jail. They have joined hands to create a new identity for themselves through their musical prowess. Tinka Tinka Foundation (TTF) and District Jail, Dehradun have released the signature tune of the Foundation that is dedicated to jails. The tune titled “Main Hoon Tinka (I am Tinka)”, was released on the YouTube channel of Tinka Tinka Jail Radio on the occasion of the 7th anniversary of Tinka Tinka Foundation (TTF). TTF is a public charitable trust dedicated to prisons. Tinka Jail Radio podcast is India’s only podcast series that exclusively caters to prison reforms.

The background:

These 3 inmates are part of a team of 14 inmates who were trained as radio jockeys for prison radio in 2021. Dr. Suchit Narang was a distinguished musician before he came to jail and was awarded by the President of India. 46 year old Narang has been in jail since 2018. 29 year old Arun graduated in Political Science while 36 year old Rohit Verma used to sing religious songs before coming to the jail. Both Rohit and Arun are convicts and have been incarcerated since 2016.

Dr Suchit Narang, Rohit Verma and Arun – the three inmates together run the in-house Dehradun Jail Radio. The signature tune “Tinka Hoon Mein” (I am Tinka) has been sung by Suchit Narang and edited by the trio together. Despite being visually impaired, Suchit is proficient in music and leads the team.

Unique initiative in Indian Prisons

Released in collaboration with Doon Jail and Tinka Tinka Foundation, this tune is a major milestone in the arena of prison reforms. Its purpose is to provide a platform for the untapped talent of inmates, to inspire the inmate population to devote their time and energy in a positive direction and to make them skillful.

This signature tune will now be widely used in all the events of TTF. Work on this creation has been going on since October 2022. Interestingly, the editing of this tune was finalised in Doon Jail. Under this collaboration, several creative endeavours will be undertaken. A special podcast, featuring the voices of concerned officials, has been released on the occasion, along with the voices of this trio. This is the 65th episode of Tinka Jail Radio.

Co-operation of officers

Inspector General of Prisons Bimla Gunjyal, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons/ Senior Superintendent of Dehradun Jail Dadhi Ram and Jailor Pavan Kothari have made special contributions in making this effort a success.

History of prison and the capacity

Built in 2008, the prison has an authorised capacity of 580 (540 male, 40 female prisoners) The total number of prisoners is 1455 (1326 male, 73 female prisoners, including 23 female convicts and 44 juveniles).

About Tinka Tinka Foundation & Vartika Nanda: Founded by Dr. Vartika Nanda, India’s leading prison reformer, Tinka Tinka Foundation is engaged in improving living conditions in prisons through academic, literary and creative initiatives, including the introduction of prison radio in District Jail, Agra and the jails of Haryana. Foundation has also curated Tinka Tinka India and Tinka Tinka Bandini Awards, which are the only such awards in the country for jail inmates. Three books written by Vartika Nanda, on prisons, are authentic versions of prison life.  Her Tinka Jail Radio Podcasts are the only podcasts in India, providing an outlet to voices from prisons. She is also the official storyteller for Delhi Police for their podcasts- Kissa Khaki Ka.  Her research on inmates’ communication needs was adjudged as Outstanding, by ICSSR.

President of India conferred the Stree Shakti Puraskar on her in 2014. Her work on prisons was taken cognizance by the Supreme Court of India in 2018. Her name has also been included in the Limca Book of Records twice for her unique work on prison reforms. She launched Tinka Tinka Prison Radio in 2020, the only podcast series in India that brings out voices from jails.

Currently, she heads the Department of Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University.

References:  

  1. Tinka Jail Radio: Episode 65: Main Hoon Tiinka: Signature Tune & Vibes of Change
    Link: Vartika Nanda: Tinka Jail Radio: Episode 65: Main Hoon Tiinka: Signature Tune & Vibes of Change – YouTube
  2. Tinka Jail Radio: Episode 30: Uttarakhand Day Dehradun Jail
    Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bdi_2pp4fA
  3. Tinka Jail Radio: Episode 28: Uttarakhand Radio Training: Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lUvEzc8jN0
  4. Uttarakhand Day and the Tinka Jail Radio: November 2021।। तिनका जेल रेडियो।।
    Channel: Tinka Tinka Prison Reforms YouTube Channel
    Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HfIOY1EqLU
  5. Jail Radio in Dehradun: Tinka Tinka Foundation:
    Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q43xw88OR4U&t=3s

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