Himalaya to give farm training to prisoners, signs MoU

Leading herbal health and personal care company Himalaya today inked an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh Prisons department to expand its prison rehabilitation programme to Visakhapatnam Central jail.
Under the programme, Himalaya along with jail authorities will render training to prisoners for cultivating medical plants and subsequently, they will undertake project of cultivation of medicinal plants for Himalaya at the semi open Central prison, Head- Phytochemistry (R&D), V U Babu told reporters here after signing the MoU.
The training will focus on skills development of jail inmates to help them to join the mainstream once they complete their jail term, he said.

Inmates will draw monthly income also, beside acquiring skill, he said, adding, the government will provide infrastructure like irrigation facilities, electricity supply, etc.
Babu said they had received good response from their prison farm programme at Anantapur and that they are glad to extend the programme to the Vizag Central prison.
Inspector General (Prison) Andhra Pradesh B Sunil Kumar said the initiative in collaboration with Himalaya will give inmates an opportunity to rebuild their social lives.
"We believe everyone should get a second chance. This initiative will offer the inmates a second chance to rebuild their social lives. Under the programme we will be equipping the prisoners with basic skills that will open up avenues for employment," he added.