P.N. Singh was instrumental in transforming the lives of more than 3000 naxalites
Jharkhand: The print, electronic and social media are replete with the bravery of police officials who punish criminals in different ways. However, retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) P. N. Singh followed a unique method. He strived to make them stress-free, non-violent, touched their hearts, and brought about a sea change in their lives, through The Art of Living programs.
P.N. Singh was instrumental in transforming the lives of more than 3000 naxalites across Bokaro district. He started unique programmes for the inmates nurturing the sole intention of spreading love and happiness. As a result, 70 criminals in and around Bokaro surrendered to the local police in 2010. The police helped them to transform and lead a happy life.
Several participants soon became volunteers and helped their friends also transform by renouncing the path of misery and pain. Sometime later, they started leading a normal family life. P.N. Singh said, “Criminals are not born. Stress and dearth of love leads an individual to resort to crime. Secondly, people commit crime in a weak moment, and ponder later as to ‘how it happened’.” After interacting with several criminals, P.N. Singh believed in the above words of Gurudev.
In 2008, after he attended the Art of Living’s Happiness Program, he actually experienced its benefits. Impressed by its outcome, he introduced it in jails. “The naxalites have training centers in Jharkhand. Former Nepali Prime Minister Prachanda was trained here. After Gurudev visit in 2010, The Art of Living programs started in full swing. A series of surrenders followed,” said P.N. Singh. “Personally, I was deeply touched by Gurudev. Now I’m imparting Art of Living programs, post-retirement.”
“I feel human values are deteriorating. Families are breaking up and people approach us with small complaints which can be easily resolved at home. We make them understand the value of service in building a good society and motivate them to devote some time towards social service,” added Singh. He is planning to organize a programme for the other wings of Jharkhand Police Force because he feels everyone needs to take part in it. Till now, nearly 500 police personnel have benefited from his initiative.
Programmes at Ranchi Central Jail
"A series of programmes spanning one week were organised at Birsa Munda jail, Hotwar, on the occasion of Republic Day. The aim was to inculcate team work, camaraderie, delegation and complementing skills. Renu Pada Patra, Runti Chandra, Ashim Kumar Kundu and Subhas Mahato were instrumental in making it a success, "says The Art of Living state YLTP coordinator, Ujjwal Bhaskar. The program conducted in December, 2014 saw 200 prison inmates participating in three programs, followed by a challenge of 108 rounds of sun salutations (a set of 12 Asanas).
Kundan Kumar Singh, Ranchi said, “This course has helped me relax and remain stress-free. I’m able to sleep well now.” Several inmates have now shown interest in taking up advanced meditation programs.
Journey of Hotwar Prison
Gurudev’s visit to Hotwar Prison in 2009 and the launch of The Art of Living programs in Jharkhand prisons in the late ‘90s made way for a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) on trauma alleviation. The course has become popular now, thanks to the efforts of local teachers Usha Bhudhia, B.B Singh, Roshan Jee and Prof. A.B Sharan. Last year, The Art of Living organized an electrical training course by roping in Schneider Electric.
The first workshop for men and women was initiated by the duo Ashu Sahadeo-Prof. Sharan, and Kalyani Shahadeo-Neena Sharan respectively. Renu Patra and Runti Chandra organized the third one. Jail Superintendent Ashoke Chaudhary and jailor Narendra Singh extended full support and requested weekly follow-up programmes every Sunday.
Reported by: Rajesh Kundu
