Bringing books and hope to juvenile jail
RAC Pune Camp Pioneers, RID 3131, turned a new page for a group of young jail inmates by launching the initiative Page Turners for a Second Chance at the city’s juvenile jail.
For a month, the club collected and donated more than 200 books, including motivational literature, poetry collections, and age-appropriate storybooks. Ranging in age from 12 to 18, the inmates now have access to stories that comfort, challenge and inspire, offering the much-needed emotional and mental nourishment.
“This project is not just about reading. These young individuals often come from difficult backgrounds. Books allow them to dream, reflect, and see themselves differently,” says Ameera Sheth, the project lead.
RC Pune Sarasbaug gifted a strong bookshelf so that the books wouldn’t just be a one-time gift, but the start of a small library that can grow over time. “Now, we can keep adding more books and keep the learning going,” says Ameera. Club members also met with the jail officials, a probation officer, the superintendent, and even a judge to talk about doing more in the future, “like organising workshops or training classes for the inmates.”
“This is not just about giving books,” says Sanjay Shivajirao Shinde, president of RC Pune Sarasbaug. “It’s about showing these young people that we care, that they still matter, and that there’s a way forward for them.”
Ameera points out that “in India, when we talk about young people in jail, it’s usually about punishment. But this project changes that. By giving them books, we’re giving them a chance to learn, grow, and dream of a better future. Education and kindness can change someone’s entire life, that’s what we’re trying to do — plant a seed of hope.”
The books were collected through a campaign run by the Rotaract club. Members reached out to schools, colleges and neighbourhoods, asking people to donate storybooks, poetry, and motivational reads. “Some of the Rotaractors parted with their favourite books, teachers donated old collections, and some even bought new books just for the cause. Within weeks, we had over 200 books, all carefully sorted and packed with handwritten notes of encouragement inside them,” she smiles.
