I was back from our prison health camp, already planning my next visit. I had promised the women to be back soon, with a Hanuman murti next time. Today, I had carried forty Hanuman Chalisas, supposing that not many would be keen.    

There were thirty women serving life terms, I learnt. Most were sixty plus, some in their early twenties and one had spent just twenty days since the judgement came.

“What will happen if we read the chalisa 108 times?”

“Your problem will be solved, ” replied one of them. She was looking at me for an affirmation. I wanted to say – yes.

“Most certainly,” I said “Your problem will be solved or it won’t bother you that much”

“What about us? ” asked a girl who was serving a life sentence. She was twenty four. I knew what she meant by that question. I could not take very long to reply to her. And I was trying to figure out a way to make my response sound kind — like you say something you know has a bitter content, but you want to make it sound sweet by adding a kinder tone to your voice.

“You may have to accept that there could be a possibility that you will have to serve your whole term. That this place is going to be your home for long. “

“Then what’s the point of reading the Chalisa” she asked in an irritated tone.

“The Chalisa will help you to accept this fact.” I replied.

She kept the Chalisa.

I had carried fifty Hanuman Chalisa booklets and later, sent forty more.

I have a feeling – that I will have many more conversations with this girl in my future visits. Her name is Preeti.