Mysuru: Christmas was celebrated at the Mysuru Central Prison on Dec. 21 in the presence of Archbishop Emeritus Most Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras, Apostolic Administrator of Mysuru Diocese, as the chief guest.

C.S. Ramesh, Chief Superintendent, Mysuru Jail, presided over the event.

The Archbishop, in his message, called upon the jail inmates to reform themselves before their release. He narrated the real-life incident of a School Principal, who blindfolded himself and asked all the students of a particular class to identify the stolen watch and how the student who stole the watch visited the school years later as the Deputy Commissioner and revealed to the Principal that he was the boy who stole the watch, until then unknown to the Principal who also blindfolded himself during the search to keep the identity of the child unknown.

His message was not to condemn but to give everyone an opportunity to reform.

The Chief Superintendent appreciated the de-addiction programme initiated by the Prison Ministry India (PMI), Mysuru Unit, which has helped a number of inmates to give up smoking.

He advised the inmates to reform and be released soon.

Students of Vidya Jyoti School by Somascan Sisters and Capuchin Brothers performed the cultural programme.

Two prisoners, along with the Archbishop and the Chief Superintendent, cut the cake as part of Christmas celebrations.

Cake was distributed to all the officials and inmates of the jail.

Gifts were distributed to the winners in the singing competition held by PMI for the prisoners.

Sr. Lilly, SJT, welcomed the gathering. Bro. Dolphy proposed a vote of thanks.