THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: What does a Christmas star mean to Farook, a prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment? A prisoner who executed a gruesome murder in broad daylight almost 13 years ago? A father who had to attend his daughter’s marriage in police escort? An inmate who had never been out in the free world on parole even once?”It denotes hope and the yearning for a free world,” said the inmate, after being felicitated by Archishop Soosaipakiam for undertaking the commercial production of Christmas stars, at Poojappura prison on Thursday.The event, launch of the sales of Christmas stars made by prison inmates, was organised by the Prisons Department. Thiruvananthapuram Latin Archbishop Soosaipakiam inaugurated the event and delivered the Christmas message for the inmates, who had gathered outside the watch tower in the prison.In his message, the Archbishop said that auspicious news is being heard every day about the prison. First, it was ‘chappathi’ and now, Christmas stars. He compared stars to life and light and said that they denote well-being and prosperity. ”God is light and light is star. Darkness is nothing but the absence of light.’’Dwelling on Biblical interpretations, he said that, “God is light and every individual is illuminating.”Soosaipakiam urged the inmates to shed their inhibitions and enjoy every moment that life throws up.‘‘Sin is not a condition. It occurs when there is a void of virtue. Let me wish that your life bears more shine than the shining stars,” he added. The Archbishop inaugurated the sales of the stars by handing over a red one to Saly Moses, a convict belonging to Alappuzha.Prison DIG H Gopakumar felt that these sort of functions would help in bringing out the inherent virtues of the inmates. He hoped that the illuminating stars would light the path for the inmates in future.The stars were prepared by five inmates, Farook, Veeran, Sahadevan, Prasad Mathew and Suresh Babu. Price of the stars varied between ` 40 and ` 60. Prison officials are also toying with the idea of setting up a special counter on the prison premises for selling the stars.Prison superintendent B Pradeep, Chief Welfare Officer K A Kumaran, Jailor S Ashok Kumar and Deputy Jailor A Abdul Hameed were present.
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