Women jail inmates try their hands on guava jam & jelly

Ludhiana, March 25:



Ludhiana Women Central Jail's inmates today learned art of making jam & jelly from guava under training programme on developing entrepreneurship by the Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), a premier institute of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The institute conducted its third training programme for the women jail inmates.



With objective to provide respectable livelihood opportunities for inmates of Ludhiana Women Central Jail after they get released from the prison, CIPHET scientists today provided hands on experience to women inmates in production of jam & jellies. Senior Scientist from CIPHET Dr Ramesh Jhangra demonstrated the complete process of making jam and jellies from guava. Women inmates practically learnt the technique and raised queries regarding its feasibility to adopt as business.



"From guava unlike mango and other fruits jam could be prepared without use of pectin, a chemical used to provide thickness in jam. This is available in ample quality naturally in this fruit," Dr Ramesh, told the jail inmates. He said that starting small scale industry for production of jam and jellies was very easy. "Even with investment of Rs 20 to 25 thousand one could start its business as no big equipment is required," he said, adding that value addition was as high as double the investment.



Dr Sangeeta Chopra, Senior Scientist at CIPHET, told the inmates that anyone interested in starting their own business in food processing sector could contact CIPHET. "We wish that some of you start it as occupation after releasing from the jail rather than limiting it to domestic level use," she added. Dr Nilesh Gaikwad, a Scientist, said that there were lots many schemes of government of India available to provide financial assistance to small scale entrepreneurs. "You could take benefit," he told the inmates.



While Deputy Jail Superintendent Snehjot Dhawan termed the training quite informative, Jail Superintendent Sukhwinder Singh assured all support from their staff. Dr R.T Patil, CIPHET Director, and Dr Deepak Raj Rai, Head Transfer of Technology Division, said that they were ready to provide comprehensive training programme in food processing to interested inmates after their release. "We want them to become good citizen and play constructive role in nation building," they added.


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