Jail Radio: Karnal

Date of Inauguration: 29 April, 2021

The Journey:  The Tinka Tinka Foundation (TTF) introduced prison radios in Haryana jails in 2020, carrying out the initiative in four phases. Specifically, during the second phase, TTF selected the district jails of Rohtak, Karnal, Gurugram, and Central Jail Hisar 1 for the implementation of the program.

Capacity of District Jail, Karnal:  District Jail in Karnal is designed to accommodate up to 2,434 inmates. Currently, it hosts an average of nearly 2,050 inmates, including 60 women. Present jail building was constructed in 2004.

Tinka Jail Radio Training: In the second phase of jail radio training, 26 jail inmates were chosen and trained as radio jockeys, including five women, one transgender and two MBBS doctors. Out of these, 5 women inmates were lodged in District Jail, Karnal.

Model: Tinka Model of Prison Radio 

Tinka Prison Research Cell: Translation: “ I am RJ Sonia from Karnal Jail. When the jail radio commenced its broadcast, the feeling of loneliness reduced remarkably. The walls of the prison also turned lively. When I had no one to support me, radio became my solace and a  friend. It was the new hope amidst despair. Today, I am extremely happy to be part of Tinka jail radio.  “ Sonia Chowdhary:  LINK: Tinka Jail Radio। Ep 85 Promo। Tinka Prison Research Cell। Impact of jail radio in DJ, Karnal (youtube.com)

Special Mention:

• 2024/ 2024: Research: 2024/ 2024: Research: Research conducted by Tinka Prison Research Cell has demonstrated the positive impact of jail radio on the lives of inmates
• 2022: International Representation: Oslo, Norway:2022: International Representation: Oslo, Norway: Tinka Tinka Foundation represented India at the first international prison radio conference in 2022. Dr. Vartika Nanda delivered a comprehensive research paper titled “Prison Radio in India with reference to Tinka Jail Radio.” This conference was organized by Prison Radio International.
• 2022: Journal: Karnal Jail Radio: Tinka Radio ka Bandion per Prabhav aur Unkee Pasand ke Gaane: Gyan Garima Sindhu: July-September, 2022, Volume 75, Pages 6- 12 ISSN: 2321-0443: It is listed in the UGC Care List Journal
• 2021: Award: Sonia, an inmate housed in District Jail Karnal, received the Tinka Tinka Bandini Award in 2021. The award was presented by Shri Arvind Kumar (IPS), DG, Madhya Pradesh Prisons & Correctional Services, and Dr. KLN Rao, ADG Prisons, Gujarat.
• 2021: Award: Uttam Anand, lodged in this jail, was given Tinka Tinka India Award in the painting category in the same year. 

Podcasts: 

Since 2020, both inmates and jail staff have showcased their creativity through Tinka Jail Radio. To date, over 50 inmates have actively participated in these podcasts, contributing to the platform’s diverse range of content. The inmates contribute to podcasts by narrating stories, poems and singing songs.

Glimpse: March, 2021:  Episode 11 of Tinka Tinka Jail Radio sheds light on the lives of the inmate RJs at District Jail, Karnal, especially during Holi festivities taking place throughout the country. While Holi celebrations unfold across India, the inmates at District Jail, Karnal, profoundly narrate their stories of celebrating Holi in prison through well-crafted stories, poems and songs.

Tinka Jail Paathshala in DJ, Karnal

District Jail, Karnal: 7 April, 2024: Meeting was held with Deputy Superintendent of Jail Ms. Shailakshi Bhardwaj and selected inmates regarding the progress of the jail radio. The meeting was attended by 10 inmates, including 2 women inmates. 

Gratitude: Shri Ranjeett Singh, Jail Minister, Haryana,  Shri Rajeev Arora, IAS, ACS, Home & Jail Department, Shri K. Selvaraj, IPS, Director General of Prisons, Haryana, Shri Amit Bhadu, Superintendent, District Jail, Karnal and Ms.Shailakshi Bhardwaj, Deputy Superintendent, District Jail, Karnal.