semiotic society

Wally Olins said, we live in a semiotically driven world, where people now respond not to products, but to symbols of things, in other words, to brands and what they stand for. Its very true.

Prison Products

Today I attended a talk by Shri Keshav Kumar, IG Police, Gujarat Prisons. This was one of the most inspiring talks and presentations I have attended in NID. This man has all the prisons of Gujarat under his jurisdiction, that means some 11,500 prisoners. By creating workshops and bakeries and kitchens, and training programs, the prisoners are now gainfully employed in a variety of activities such as making towels, textiles, tents, coats, bags, leather shoes, book-binding, screen printing, cooking bhajias, puffs, biscuits, chevda, bread (authentic brown bread as well), making phenyl, teak furniture, folders, and more.

The products are of very superior quality, the kitchens especially maintaining an exceptionally high standard of hygiene. The workers all wear uniforms and head gear. The food products are sold in the city, from the sale of the bhajias alone they earn Rs. 24,000/- per day. The other products are sold to other government divisions. In toto, they have an annual income of Rs. 6 to 8 crore per year.