Laughing away the Demon King

This story again within the four walls of the Bhopal central jail was fun to write since I was present for the two hour session the inmates had with the members of the city laughter club on the eve of Dussehra. It was fun to join them and also write this story after my return to the open and false world.

The Central Jail inmates had a time of their lives on October 26, 2002. The premises reverberated with their Ho-Ha-Ha …… for over two hours. The inmates were guffawing to drive the demons out!
Full points to Laughter Club, Bhopal for the idea. Laughter was of course always the best medicine. But, this was clearly much more than a therapy session for the inmates. In large numbers the Club members drove to the jail and did everything to make the inmates laugh their woes off.
And going by the success of the event, laughing sessions may just become a routine affair in the Jail. “If this therapy helps, the inmates may have a weekly laughter session,” Purshottam Somkuwar, Jail Superintendent said.
“But, of course the Laughter Club members have to give their consent first,” he added with a chuckle.
“Laugh to drive the Ravan inside them away,” is how the jail Superintendent describes the endeavour.

For once 1,220 men and 60 women had no apprehensions when they were asked to welcome Desai, founder member and president of the Laughter Club. They were all smiles.
Ram Lal from Vidisha, an inmate for over four years guffawed ….. Oh Oh Aha Aha … Lal was laughing after one full year!
An inmate sulked in one of the corners. The Club members were in no mood to give up on him. Soon, the members were seen chatting with him and a few minutes later, the beaming inmate was introduced as Mohammad.
But, the Club members had a lot to thank the jail superintendent for. They were allowed to get real close to the inmates.
“We wanted the inmates to have a good time for a change. And this laughing session was the best bet,” P R Dhruve, Jailer in charge of Bhopal Central Jail said.
Women inmates had women for company. Club members ensured that all of them had fun. Some were shy and it was difficult to make them laugh, but they once got going there was no stopping them.
As for the inmates, some of them were all praise for the Jail Superintendent. “Things have changed after his arrival. Such novel functions are held quite often,” an inmate said.
Assisatant Jailer L K S Bhadauria later said, “It is good to see the inmates laughing. I hope such sessions help them turn a new leaf.”