Mysuru, Nov.5 (RK&DM)-  As part of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th Birth Anniversary, three prisoners who were serving  prison terms of one to five years and who had completed sixty six per cent of their sentence and showed continuous good conduct, were released today from the Mysuru Central Jail here this morning.

The released prisoners are  Satish of Temple Road, V. V. Mohalla in city, Ramesh of Shivanahalli village in Kanakapura taluk of Ramanagaram district and V.M. Mallikarjuna of 31st cross, 4th main, Vidyaranyapuram, who were serving prison terms ranging from one to five years for different criminal offences.

Speaking  after inaugurating the programme organised for the release of the prisoners, Principal District and Sessions Court Judge Suresh. K. Vontigodi advised the prisoners to forget the past and lead a honourable life in the  future.

Prof. Meena Deshpande, a retired faculty of Bangalore University, speaking as a guest on the occasion, explained in detail Gandhijis Non-Violence concept and the Mahatma’s Experience with truth.

Underlining the need for understanding the feelings of others, she said that the greatness of a human being lies in the admission of his/her  wrongs. Noting that every person will have at least one quality of Mahatma Gandhi, Prof. Meena Deshpande emphasised on the need for leading a simple life as advocated by Mahatma Gandhi.

Observing that one should  pay heed to the inner voice that comes from the soul, she  called upon the prisoners to lead a better life and earn praise from the society.

Prof. P.V. Nanjaraj Urs, who also spoke, wanted the government to initiate measures for  rehabilitation of released prisoners, setting up a fund on the lines of provident fund so that the prisoners can get back their prison earnings and advancement of bank loans to them for setting up cottage industries and thus lead a decent life.

Even as the three prisoners were released, women prisoners urged the authorities  to consider them too for early release. 

District Legal Services Authority(DLSA) Member-Secretary B.P. Devamane, MLA Tanveer Sait, Chief Jail Superintendent K.C. Divyashree, Superintendent C.E. Thimmappa, DCP  B.T. Kavitha, former MLC K.C. Puttasiddashetty and other officials were present.