14-Yr-Old Donates Scholarship Money To Free Those Who Are In Jail For Lack Of Money

A class 10 student from Bhopal, Ayush Kishore, is a beacon of hope for a number of prisoners who, in spite of serving their jail times are still behind bars because they are unable to pay fines.

According to the Times of India, the 14-year-old decided to help 14 such prisoners on Independence day by donating Rs 27,850 from his scholarship prize money as their fines. Reportedly, all of the 14 prisoners were convicted on charges of murder.

Ayush Kishore excels in academics

Apart from his selflessness, the teenager is also the winner of the National Child Award in 2016 for his achievements in academics and was felicitated by the then President Pranab Mukherjee. Ayush also has a long list of both national and international awards to his name and has won several scholarships from his school for being an all-rounder. Not just that, but after winning the Aloha International Arithmetic Competition, Ayush’s name was included in the Limca Book of Records.

While many would consider saving their prize money for future endeavours, Ayush decided to give it away to help those who need it the most. As reported by the Hindustan Times, Ayush’s mother, Vineeta Malviya, who is a police officer said, “The Bhopal jailbreak and murder of a jail sentry moved Ayush a lot. He received a cash award of Rs 10,000 in the President’s Award and Rs 28,000 from his school after being declared an all-around student. He asked me so many questions about jail and prisoners and showed his willingness to do something for them.”

Bhopal Jailbreak moved Ayush

In the SIMI jailbreak incident of October 2016, a jail constable was killed just a few days before his daughter was set to be married. According to the Times of India, Ayush said that he asked his mother to donate Rs 10,000 that he won as prize money to the family for financial aid. However, he later found out that the bride was helped by CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Ayush understood that some prisoners, who have served their jail terms are compelled to stay behind bars because they are unable to pay fines which as little as Rs 2000. With the help of his mother, who suggested Ayush donate his prize money to free prisoners, on the Republic Day 2018, four prisoners were set free, all thanks to his efforts.

Seeing the prisoners meet their families was a moment that brought joy to the teenager. This, he told the Times Of India, motivated him to help more prisoners who are stuck behind bars even after serving their prison sentences. He said, “They were so happy to meet their families. Their joy served as inspiration for me. I decided to help more such prisoners. I met a prisoner who had completed his punishment two years ago but was still in jail. Seeing him I decided to help as many as I could. Many of them had fines of Rs 6,000.”

The Logical Indian take

A significant number of prisoners in India are compelled to stay behind bars, even after completion of jail term just because they are unable to pay fines. Even though some prisoners clear their dues after working inside prisons, for others, the burden is too much. The Logical Indian commends the efforts of Ayush Kishore in freeing the prisoners by cashing in on his prize money.