Nearly 210 inmates and more than 100 staffers of the Nashik Road Central jail on Saturday appeared for the Gandhi Peace Examinations organised by the Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal (BSM). "The aim of the examination is to bring about change in the life of the inmates and to inculcate qualities of 'Satya' and 'Ahinsa',preached by Father of the Nation,Mahatma Gandhi," T R Somaiya of BSM said. The exams are conducted for prisoners,who have passed seventh standard,he said. More than 100 central jail officers,employees and technical staff,including 17 women appeared for the exam,which began in the jail premises at 1100 hours under the supervision of Jail Superintendent Swati Sathe. Sathe said that examinations undertaken by prisoners signal a good beginning as they adopt thoughts of Gandhi for self-realisation. The study material,comprising Mahatma Gandhi's autobiography and other literature is sent to the inmates in advance for self-study and lectures are also held to educate them about Gandhiji's thoughts,Somaiya said. Examinees have the options of appearing for the examination in English,Hindi,Marathi and Gujarati and are also allowed to ask reference books for study,he said. Prize and certificates distribution for the exams will be held on November 14,Somaiya added. The Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal has been organising the Gandhi peace examination since last four years in Central jails in Maharashtra.
