NEW DELHI, October 25, 2002: The beauty parlor at Tihar Jail was the scene of unusual rush this week. The effort put in by the parlor staff was evident in Jail No. 6 where the women inmates looked strikingly beautiful this Karva Chauth (Husband’s Day). Dressed in their best saris, new back clips and hair specially set for the occasion, they performed the rituals of the festival. “Preparations for Karva Chauth have been going on for weeks in the jail,” said Superintendent Sunita Sabharwal. “Most inmates have kept a fast today. Much of the stock of puja items and make-up accessories stored in the canteen has been sold out,” Sabharwal said. The jail authorities also got the inmates a cable TV connection as a Karva Chauth gift. As a concession, the fasting women were granted a leave from their work. Since the women inmates are locked up at 6:30 p.m., the moon ritual is done by the head matron, who tells them when the moon rises — the moment at which they may break their fast. Also, for the first time, this North Indian festival where women worship their husbands will be a holiday in all-girls’ schools run by the government of Delhi. Friday’s holiday is for the benefit of women teachers, who make up almost the entire teaching staff in the girls’ schools. Until last year, Karva Chauth used to be a restricted holiday on which most women teachers skipped work, but this year, the government decided to declare a holiday. Boys’ and coeducational schools will, however, remain open.
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