The Peoples' Institute for Re-thinking Education and Development
A second chance is more than an opportunity to start over. What if it is a chance to rebuild a life with dignity, hope, and greater meaning?
When I first heard about this movement, I was genuinely shocked. It felt very different because I had never imagined that people would be willing to give former prisoners another chance and trust them with new opportunities. This made me curious to learn more about how such a movement could change lives.
The Second Chance Movement, led by Shikshantar Andolan and Swaraj Jail University, believes that people should not be defined by their past mistakes. Instead, after serving their jail sentence, they should be given new opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute positively to society. There release back into society should not be another jail sentence. As Ashish Sharma, a former learner and now filmmaker says, “My circumstances were criminal. My heart was not. I just needed someone to believe in me.”
The movement has received support from local business leaders of Udaipur. Mr. Sedanth Agarwal, the owner of Bake Affair, shared that he has given employment to individuals associated with Swaraj Jail University after their release. A financial stipend allows them to enter a virtuous cycle of learning and earning as they get back on their feet. Former inmates, many without any degrees, have learned cooking, serving, interacting with customers and cafe management at Bake Affair. Mr. Agarwa explained that by choosing to trust them instead of judging them, Bake Affair has helped many former prisoners regain confidence, financial independence, and self-respect. According to Mr. Agarwal, rehabilitation becomes truly successful only when society is willing to give people a genuine second chance — treating them with dignity and inviting them to dream a positive future for themselves again. Ex-inmate chef Sunil Maida shared, "Having a highly reputable organization on my CV, gave me a strong foundation to re-build my life and career. I can see a future now."
Ashish’s own life reflects this belief. As a youth, he lived in fear and later found himself in Udaipur Central Jail, struggling with guilt, anger, and hopelessness. During his time in prison, reading the Bhagavad Gita helped him reflect on his life. He later said, “The transformation wasn’t sudden. It happened through learning, reflection, creativity, and discipline.”
His life changed further when he joined the programs of Swaraj Jail University which were held in Udaipur Central Jail, where he learnt music, photography, filmmaking, yoga, and other creative skills. These opportunities gave him a new purpose. As he says, “Sometimes the smallest sounds can become the beginning of the biggest transformation.” His journey proves that prisons can become places of deep purpose, creativity and rehabilitation, not just punishment.
After his release, rebuilding his life was not easy. Many people continued to see him only as an ex-prisoner. However, the mentors of Swaraj Jail University believed in him and continued supporting him. Their trust encouraged him to start Eklavya Film Production, beginning with a small project worth ₹10,000 before growing into larger filmmaking assignments. Ashish makes documentary films, event films, social media reels and wedding films. Reflecting on this journey, Ashish says, “What mattered was proof. Proof that somebody trusted me to do the work. Proof that I could build something new.”
Ashish’s commitment to this second-chance vision is reflected in the success of the people he has mentored and trained in filmmaking through his company over the past 2 years. One such example is Ronak, age 25, who joined Ashish approximately one and a half years ago after being released from jail. Ronak had learned the basics of filmmaking and editing while in the jail. Under Ashish’s guidance, Ronak learned the advanced filmmaking, photography, and event management under Ashish’s guidance. After gaining practical experience and developing his skills, he went on to establish his own startup in Indore. Today, Ronak is actively involved in event management while also working as a professional photographer. His journey demonstrates how proper mentorship, skill development, and hands-on learning can empower young ex-inmates to become independent entrepreneurs.
Many highly reputed organizations, such as Udaipur Tales, Aajevika Bureau, Udaipur World Music Festival, Third Space, as well as families in Udaipur have also supported the Second Chance movement by giving talented ex-inmate musicians the opportunity to perform at their events.
Shikshantar Sansthan and Swaraj Jail University <www.jailuniversity.org> would like to invite more local business leaders to collaborate with them on the Second Chance Movement. Please get in touch at <manish@xinx.co> if you are willing to offer a second chance in life to ex-inmates.