FORMER DG TIHAR VIMLA MEHRA AND DR. VARTIKA NANDA BOOK “TINKA TINKA TIHAR” ENTERS LIMCA BOOK OF RECORDS
A collection of poems from the incarcerated women of Tihar
April 18, 2015, New Delhi: ‘Tinka-Tinka Tihar’, a book on the plight of women and their rights has been included in the famed Limca Book of Records. The certificate issued by Limca Book says that this has been seen as a ‘national record’ for its ‘uniqueness’. Written by journalist and women right activist Dr Vartika Nanda and former DG of Delhi’s Tihar Jail, Vimla Mehra this book has always been in debates right from the days of its publication. It was launched by then Home Minister of India Sri Sushil Kumar Shinde on the inaugural day of first APCA Conference at Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan in September 2013.
Published by Rajakamal Prakashan in Hindi and English, ‘Tinka-Tinka Tihar’ was the first effort of its kind world-over that women inmates of Jail No.-6(Tihar) were motivated for writing poems. Later it appeared as compiled works of four women inmates Rama Chauhan, Seema Raghuvanshi, Riya Sharma and Aarti. These pomes present telling stories of pain and trauma faced by women in our society as far as human-rights, legal hindrances, society and laws are concerned.
The photographs included in this book have been snapped by these inmates themselves after a special order. This book has also been published in a different style as if this book is only made up of photographs and not words. In fact, all the pages have been pieced together to each other and only after separating them, appear the poems. The photographs of the inmates is credited to Shovan Gandhi and designed by Abhineet and Amilia.
Songs for the inmates: This book went through many experiments and theme songs were prepared thereafter. In fact, Vartika Nanda and Vimla Mehra have tried to draw attention towards crime against women through different tools of mass communication and media. The song “Tinka Tinka Tihar” written by both became one of the marks of Tihar Jail. Some of the selected male and female inmates gave their voice for this song.
Poetry on the wall: The longest wall painting of the country is also credited to Tihar jail as the best poem of this book ‘Chardiwari’ has been painted as the wall-painting which is also longest in the country.
Author’s profile:
Dr Vartika Nanda
Dr Vartika Nanda is a media person-trainer and author as well as social thinker and women right activist. She has been pioneer in focusing on issues related to women rights and crime against women and creating awareness in the media and various other platforms. She is the proud recipient of Stri-Shakti Puraskar-2013 on the occasion of International Women’s Day by Hon. President of India Sri Pranab Mukharjee. She was also awarded Rani Gaidinliu Zeliang Award for creating awareness on crime against women through media and literature. Prior to it, her book “Thee, Hoon Aur Rahungi(I was, I remain and I will…) has been widely discussed and proclaimed.
Vimla Mehra
Vimla Mehra has been former DG of Delhi’s Tihar Jail, the largest jail in Asia. She is the second IPS officer of India and presently special police commissioner, Delhi Police. She also held designations such as Deputy Inspector General of CISF and Joint Commissioner, Special Branch, Delhi Police.
