Jail chappatis

Kerala has some dubious distinctions for being the pioneer in certain sphere of activities. The largest percentage of literacy among Indian States is one and other is the availability of jail chappatis in major centres at low cost.   For instance on the last hartal day, the entire area of Kochi jail premise was filled with people waiting for jail chappati.  People are happy with eating jail chappatis , it was reported. As demand for quality jail chappatis with chicken curry increases day by day the Government should contemplate on opening more outlets throughout the State.

The brand name of jail chappathis is funny too. Metro Chappati is the brand name for the chappati being sold at Kochi jail,  Poojappura Chappati from Poojappura Central Jail, Thiruvananthapuram, Freedom Chappati from Viyyur Central Prison, Thrissur and Santhwanam Chappati from Kozhikode district jail. The name santhwanam attracts added appeal as eating chappati by the starving is really a matter of swanthanam(solace)

And it is not a matter of concern for jail authorities to find work force for production and sale of chappatis as more and more men are admitted to jail than those leave the place. If chappati pack carries a tag like ‘Shalu packed, Saritha kissed” then there would be extra attraction for jail chappatis.  As chappati business is a profitable one like lottery sale the Government should immediately take action to incorporate ‘ neera can’ too with it. Bizarre are the ways of filling State coffers!

K A Solaman 
The Deccan Chronicle, Kerala  Published on 20July 13