INDIA: When the Tinka Tinka Foundation released its 106th podcast marking four years of Panipat Jail Radio, it was more than a routine milestone. The broadcast stood as a reminder of how radio, even within prison walls, can become a tool of transformation, self expression, and quiet reform. The episode resonated with stories of resilience, creativity, and the enduring human spirit that refuses to be silenced by confinement.
Adding a deeply symbolic layer to the occasion was a virtual celebration marking five years of Tinka Jail Radio in Panipat. The digital gathering brought together two voices shaped by incarceration yet connected through creativity. Kashish, a former inmate of District Jail Panipat, and Dr Suchit Narang, who was released from District Jail Dehradun in 2025, met for the first time in an online space. Though separated by geography, time, and personal circumstances, their journeys intersected through the shared platform of jail radio.
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Both Kashish and Dr Narang spoke about how incarceration became a defining chapter in their lives, not only because of its hardships but also because of the opportunities for introspection and creative expression it unexpectedly offered. One of the strongest bonds between them was music. For both, music became a refuge during imprisonment, a way to cope with isolation and a medium to connect with fellow inmates.
Their passion translated into leadership roles within their respective prisons. Kashish led the team of radio jockeys at Panipat Jail Radio in 2021, while Dr Narang headed similar initiatives in Dehradun until his release. Under their guidance, inmates transformed everyday experiences into meaningful radio content that spoke of hope, remorse, learning, and aspiration. The microphones inside the prisons became instruments of dignity and self worth.
Tinka Jail Radio is part of a larger vision conceptualised by Professor Vartika Nanda, prison reformer and Head of the Department of Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University. Through the Tinka Tinka Foundation, her work has steadily turned prison spaces into hubs of creativity and dialogue. Jail radio initiatives across India aim to humanize incarceration by giving inmates a voice, an audience, and a sense of purpose.
The virtual interaction between Kashish and Dr Narang was not merely a reunion but a reflection of this broader mission. Both spoke candidly about how radio changed their self perception. They described how being trusted with responsibility, scripts, and broadcasts restored confidence and helped them imagine life beyond prison walls. Their stories echoed the foundation’s belief that reform is most effective when it nurtures creativity and empathy.
Listeners tuning into the special episode were reminded that jail radio has evolved from an experimental idea into a growing movement. Across states, inmates now connect through sound, storytelling, poetry, and music. The platform allows incarcerated individuals to feel part of a larger community, even when physically separated. Tinka Tinka Foundation has also created exclusive spaces for inmates across the country to collectively celebrate achievements and milestones.
As the five year celebration concluded, the significance of the moment lingered. Kashish and Dr Narang, once unknown to each other, stood as living examples of how voices behind bars can travel far beyond prison walls. Their digital meeting highlighted the power of radio not just as a medium of communication, but as an instrument of transformation.
In the end, the anniversary was not only about counting years. It was about acknowledging lives changed, identities rebuilt, and voices reclaimed. Through Tinka Jail Radio, stories born in confinement continue to find their way into hearts, reminding society that creativity and hope can thrive even in the most restricted spaces.
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