Tihar inmates' products a big hit at IITF

Herbal incense sticks, herbal face packs, coloured powders (gulaal), household grocery items to snacks, the Tihar Haat at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) was crowded with curious customers here Thursday.

Tihar Haat sells products made by Tihar Jail inmates.

Being sold under the brand name TJ's, many of the articles attracted consumers not least because of the eco-friendly packaging and minimal pricing.

"All these articles have been made by the prisoners of Tihar Jail. The money collected will be used for their rehabilitation and transformation," Deepak Vij of the NGO Antarkranti, a part of this venture, told IANS.

The incense sticks, priced between Rs.40 - Rs.150, and available in clove, cardamom, vanilla, strawberry and the ocean flavors, left the entire area smelling good.

The herbal face packs, the gulaal in attractive boxes were available for just Rs.60 per pack. A bundle of 50 garden incense sticks was priced at Rs.150.

"Of all the things that are being sold, 'Samidha'- a powder containing 14 herbs used for religious and purification purposes- is selling the most," added Vij.

A packet of 'Samidha' packed in a jute bag costs about Rs.100.

Apart from these, there are also a variety of cookies, sweets, snacks and cakes.

"The salted cookies are very tasty and even the snacks, a big packet just costs about Rs.40," Monica Sethi, a homemaker, told IANS.

The grocery items include mustard oil, spices, cleaning mops, towels, cleaning materials at reasonable rates. Pen stands and bags from recycled materials cost as little as Rs.20.

The Tihar Haat store provides employment to the inmates post release. One member of the inmate's family can also get a job in the haat.

The 33rd IITF began Nov 14 and will continue till Nov 27 at Pragati Maidan in the capital.