Tihar Jail? Yes, Tihar Jail. B)

You know what’s cool?

 Visiting ‘Tihar Jail’ with your 'school'. 

You know what’s cooler? 

Performing a street play for the prison inmates in which your role calls for the following dialogue, “main laila laila chillaunga kurta faad ke”. 

And with actions, mind you. Have I blown your mind, already? Well, then, let’s not forget that I’m a girl from a convent school.

Yes, my fellow readers, I know what you’re thinking, I’ve won the internet today.

*bloats with pride*

 

Now, my memory isn’t exactly my best friend so the precise details are a bit smudged but I remember that it was back in 10th grade. The first time I told my mother, "Mumma, mai Tihar Jail ja rahi Hun!" She gave me a horrified expression and exclaimed, "Aise mat bolo!". So I had to correct myself and change the statement to, " Mai Tihar Jail 'visit' karne ja rahi hun". You know how these mothers are. The most beautiful of creations. 

 

Anyway, a group of girls were selected in school to visit Tihar Jail and put up a show for the inmates. (Hey! Don't give me that look. They're humans too!) 

We decided to prepare a hilarious street play called, 'Dilli Darshan', a Qawwali and a western music performance for the show. The usual 'not-attending-any-classes' ritual ensued this decision, which in itself was a lot of fun. Finally the 'big' day arrived, we were packed in the school bus and sent on our way. We sat in the bus looking at each other with gleeful eyes, barely able to contain the excitement. I mean, how many times are you lucky enough to visit an actual 'jail'? 

Okay wait, don't answer that. 

Haha. 

 

When our bus finally entered the heavily guarded main entrance of the prison, we all literally jumped out of our seats to get the first glimpse. 

Then we went through a million other guarded entrances before finally entering the prison and it was,

 *drum roll*

NOT like they show in the movies! 

Let me break it to you, that idiot box sitting in your living room is a big fat liar. 

The Tihar jail, as we saw, had recreational rooms for its inmate to encourage them to spend their time constructively. They paint, draw, meditate and learn various other skills. But no, the entire picture was not so pretty. Their rooms are just as filthy as you've imagined. And some cells that keep the big criminals are utterly claustrophobic and loathsome. 

Once this little field trip of ours was over, we proceeded towards the stage that was set up for our performance. The initial jitters died down soon and our show went on to become a success! They loved our street play especially the part where one of my friends acted like a 'Haryanvi' policeman.  

When our performance came to an end, we were treated with a funny dance performance by one of the inmates on that famous song, 'Ek Chatur Naar Badi Hoshiyaar'. They even gave us snacks afterwards. 

Eating pakoras in a prison?

Swag now has a new definition. 

 

Before I knew it, the day came to an end and I returned home with an extraordinary memory to preserve. 

Go ahead, you're allowed to be jealous. ;)

 

PS: It was my wonderful friend Avantika’s idea to write about this visit, so thanks, love!

PSS: I just remembered! There was this crazy earthquake in Delhi that day. It happened after I'd already reached my house! 

(Just telling. :P)