Reform, his religion…
Swami Vishalanand helps prisoners escape… Escape their depraved past into a life of dignity and purpose. Here’s a seer who truly seeks out the God in every man…

Arjun, a lanky lad in his mid 20s, was convicted for murder. Released on bail from Tihar Jail, he said, “In jail, I had stopped living, so to say. Often due to frustration, I would get into petty brawls with other inmates. But life changed after I interacted with Swami Vishalanand. He gave me hope that I could also prove my worth in the outside world.” Today, Arjun not only strives to lead a dignified life but is also inspired to eliminate crime. The individual credited with the makeover is Swami Vishalanand. Sitting across this saffron-robed man with a beard that seemed untouched for years and matted long hair, it is hard to believe that he used to be a student of engineering, ambitious and set to participate in the race for worldly acquisitions. But, eventually, he chose a bigger cause – to remodel criminals into responsible custodians of the society. A member of Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan (DJJS), which organises rehabilitation programs for prisoners in jails across India, he says, “The transition from a tech-kid to dedicating my life to the moral rehabilitation of offenders serving time wasn’t very tough. I found myself at a crossroad where I needed to see beyond materialistic pleasure, and I believed that the choice I made would give me satisfaction and a sense of achievement.” Vishalanand joined DJJS in 1996 and now leads the rehabilitation programs for convicts in 21 jails across India. While conversing with him, the thought of spending hours in the company of crooks and gangsters unsettled me, to which he agreed, “I was 24 then, and went through the same discomfort… scrutinised by the inmates… the unfriendly vibes scared me. But since I’d committed myself to this, I chose to stick it out. I made an attempt to approach small groups of prisoners and understand their state of mind. As conversation flowed, the initial hesitation slowly subsided. I delved into their psyche and guided them to change their thinking.” And indeed, the young, nervous boy eventually made himself the friend, philosopher and guide of numerous prisoners, including some caught in petty crimes to those involved in hideous activities of terrorism. As a part of the program, the organisation conducts satsangs (group prayers), group counseling, individual interactions, cultural events and various competitions among the inmates. “I have seen numerous prisoners being released and leading lives with respect and dignity. In fact, many of them have joined us in this mission. All it requires is to correct and cleanse their corrupt ideologies. Once reformed, these people themselves become agents of change in the society,” explained Vishalanand.

Although the count of such ‘agents’ is a sizeable one, I was fortunate to converse with one such redeemed individual, Arjun. He currently handles the security and logistics of Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan. Although the final proceedings of his sentence are still awaited, Arjun is not in the least concerned, for he claims to have regained a dignified life. If released, he has vowed to spread the wisdom he received.

Vishalanand believes that circumstances are the real culprits. “Those who are strong can resist that rush of emotions which makes one do the wrong thing. Those who are weak, fall prey.” With a sanguine smile on the face and a voice simmering with passion, he signed off, “Society calls such people a waste. I call them pure uranium. Their energy is uncontrolled, but if we make efforts to help them channelise their energy and intelligence, we will one day be able to truly realise the much awaited vision of world peace.”

Spriha Srivastava