Observation home now turns into skill training centre for juvenile offenders

Coimbatore: The juvenile offenders in the district observation home on Avinashi Road at Lakshmi Mills Junction are being trained in origami to divert their focus on meaningful things and improve their creativity.
The training is conducted for two hours on Wednesdays. In just two months, the inmates have started showing promising results.
District collector G S Sameeran, who inaugurated the renovated observation home on Wednesday, was surprised at the new skills acquired by the inmates, who showcased their handiworks.
A source with the district child protection unit said it was the district collector’s idea to engage the juveniles in conflict with law in a meaningful way. “This will help them master new skills and use the same when they leave the observation home to start a fresh journey.”
T S Venkatesh, who trains the inmates in origami, said the juveniles were very creative and actively taking part in the sessions. The inmates have studied up to Class VIII to XII. “They picked up the art quickly, compared to the normal students. The art helps them improve concentration, creativity and spend time meaningfully.”
He said there was a plan to bring out books for kids with the help of the inmates. “The book will feature their paintings and illustrations, their experience in learning origami and other children related content.”
Nirmala, superintendent, observation home, said there were 16 inmates at present. “The district collector appreciated the boys for their creativity. Apart from origami, the inmates are getting exposure to storytelling, short films and international cinema with motivational stories.”
Sri Ramakrishan Mission Vidyalaya’s BEd college has, meanwhile, been conducting drawing classes, yoga sessions and personality development classes for the inmates from January this year.
The renovation work of the observation home was carried out by Bosch Global Software Technologies through the Residents’ Awareness Association of Coimbatore at a cost of ₹13.11 lakh. The home that was started by the British government in 1938 now features new roofing and tiled flooring.