Lifer on knowledge drive inside Orissa jail

Balasore, Nov 2 (UNI) Despite being sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case, Chandra Sekhar Panda, has taken up a noble drive to impart knowledge to his inmates as well as outsiders.

A post graduate in Mathematics, this lifer has started taking coaching classes for students as well as inmates of the jail intending to appear in high school and intermediate examination.

Debasish Mallick, son of Jail superintendent Dibakar Mallick, ranked fifth in the matric examination while other two girl students were preparing for medical entrance under his active guidance, sources said.

Debashis said, '' Even though he is a lifer he has the competency to solve any critical problems in Mathematics as well as Physics.'' '' His teaching is much better than any other lecturers in the colleges, '' remarked Subashini Ghadei and Sumolata Sahu who address Panda as their 'guru' despite knowing the fact he is a lifer.

Panda, a native of Chakasanda, was convicted of a murder along with others in connection with a criminal case at Mata Bazar and was awarded life sentence by the Additional Session Judge court.

All his prayers of being innocent in higher courts including the Apex court were dismissed, sources said.

However, during his interim bail period, Panda completed his post graduation in Mathematics from Sambalpur University through correspondence.

''I have the desire to be independent and love to teach,'' he said.

He had started his coaching centre before his conviction in Orissa and also in Delhi.

His talent came to the limelight when, two of the students, visited him in the jail to seek his blessings, Mr Mallick said.

A curious Mr Mallick then approached Panda and asked to teach the inmates to which he agreed readily. Mr Mallick then expressed his desire to get his son tought on receiving feedback from the inmates.

Panda also trains the inmates to speak English, Mr Mallick said.

''Panda has brought an incredible change in the jail environment and we will urge the authorities to permit him to take coaching classes for outsiders, through which he could earn a living for himself,'' Mr Mallick said.

UNI XC DP PP AD SSC1239