Prison Duty Meet showcases discipline, unity and culture

The second day of the 7th All India Prison Duty Meet 2025 held at RBVRR Telangana State Police Academy saw spirited competition and cultural performances.

From 6 a.m. to 7 p.m on Wednesday., prison staff representing 21 States and three Union Territories took part in sports and professional contests. In the evening, Information Technology and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu attended as Chief Guest, presenting medals and trophies. Recalling his earlier visit to Cherlapalliy Central Jail, he said sports and cultural activities were effective tools for transformation, helping to instil dignity and teamwork among correctional staff. He described the Duty Meet as a national platform strengthening professionalism and national integration.

The cultural segment featured classical dance, folk songs, a thematic skit on reformation, instrumental music and group dances, performed by prison staff and cultural troupes from across the country.

Competitions across professional, fine arts and sporting events yielded a busy medal table. Telangana dominated with 15 golds, four silvers and two bronze medals, leading with a total of 21. Tamil Nadu followed with nine, while Karnataka secured seven and Maharashtra six. Other winners included Uttarakhand with four medals, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi with five each, Kerala and Gujarat also with five, Odisha with two, Madhya Pradesh with two, Uttar Pradesh with four, Himachal Pradesh with one and Punjab with one.

Professional events saw Telangana bag gold in prison hygiene, business model, best practices, medical officer, quiz, first aid, welfare officer, and computer and technology categories. Tamil Nadu led the probation officer competition.

In fine arts, Andhra Pradesh took gold in instrumental music, Odisha in drama, Delhi in painting, and Telangana in group dance.

In men’s outdoor events, Maharashtra won gold in shot put, while Uttarakhand led in long jump and high jump. Telangana claimed multiple golds in karate categories, including individual and team events. Among women, Karnataka dominated the high jump, while Tamil Nadu secured gold in long jump and the 100 metres.

The day ended with a medal tally of 78 across all events, reflecting the scale of participation and the diversity of winners.