Ahmedabad's iconic 'Jail Bhajiya House' gets Rs 2.5-cr heritage facelift

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The iconic ‘Jail Bhajiya House’, a snack shop run by inmates of Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad, is being converted into a three-storey heritage-themed complex at a cost of over Rs 2.5 crore.

The new building at the city’s RTO Circle (the food outlet is located close to the prison) aims to promote the skills of inmates and instil a positive attitude towards their reformation and rehabilitation in society post their release from the prison, said officials.

The project is nearing completion under the guidance of Gujarat Director General of Police (Prisons) K L N Rao, an official release said on Tuesday.

The ground floor will house a sales counter for traditional ‘bhajiyas’ (fritters) and other ‘farsan’ (fried snacks), along with seating facilities for visitors, according to the release.

A dining area has been set up on the first floor, where visitors will be served a special ‘Gandhi Thali’ comprising sattvic food (diet focused on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) prepared by the prisoners, it said.

The second floor will house a museum showcasing the history of freedom fighters who spent time at Sabarmati Jail during the freedom movement, according to the release.

A photo gallery will feature several freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Mahadevbhai Desai, Zaverchand Meghani and Lokmanya Tilak, who were imprisoned at Sabarmati Central Jail during the independence movement, it said.

The new building will also have a ‘Jailer and Prisoner’ theme, offering visitors a blend of food and history in an atmosphere inspired by prison administration, the release said.

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