As a part of the celebrations of the 75th Independence of our country this year, the Alipore Correctional Home has been converted into a museum open to the public. Having records that are 116 years old, the display at the museum tells stories of freedom fighters like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru, Bidhan Chandra Roy and Rishi Aurobindo, all of whom have spent days confined in this historical building. Members of the Ladies Study Group recently organised a visit to this museum to spend an insightful evening learning about the incarceration of India’s freedom fighters during the British rule. Walking through restored and renovated premises of the building, the members of LSG got an insight into India’s freedom struggle and listened to stories of the atrocious punishments imposed on the freedom fighters that the walls of this building are witness to.
LSG members at Alipore Jail Museum
Danseuse Alokananda Roy, who has extensively worked with the inmates of correctional homes for many years, shared her inspiring journey with the ladies. Lovingly known as Ma to the inmates, Roy shared with the ladies how her language of love and dance helped the inmates to rise above their weaknesses, learn new skills and treat each other as humans. She shared stories for her relentless effort to help the inmates balance their mind, body and soul to get back into the rhythm of life and move ahead. “It was my first visit to the Jail Museum. I have been there when it was a correctional home. The museum is a tribute in remembrance of our freedom fighters — it narrates the sacrifice of these great people for our motherland. I would like to thank the president of LSG and all the members for giving me an opportunity to share my journey of 16 years using dance, music and above all love and compassion to transform them from within,” said Alokananda Roy.
Governing body member of LSG, Anuradha Kanoria, felicitates chief guest Alokananda Roy
The evening ended with a light-and-sound show on the lawns for the members and them paying tribute to the freedom fighters by singing the National Anthem. “The red brick structure of Alipore Correctional Home turned into a museum that can now tell us about the prison life fraught with the difficulty of our freedom fighters and lawbreakers. I wanted to share this opportunity with my members of LSG . We swelled up with pride and sadness as we saw the light-and-sound show on freedom fighters. We were very pleased to have Alokananda Roy with us who showed us her work with the inmates,” said Sucheta Mehr, president, LSG.