Latest news with #DiyaKahali
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Inside Tihar's all-male block: Woman shares eye-opening experience as an intern
A psychology intern from Ghaziabad, recently shared an eye-opening account of her two-week internship at Delhi's Tihar Jail. In a LinkedIn post titled "Surviving and thriving: My reality as a psychology trainee at Tihar Prison Complex", Diya Kahali recounted the intense experience of being the only female intern in an all-male unit. In her post, Kahali reflected on the complexity of her situation: 'Being one of the only women in an all-male facility (literally just me and one female guard) was eye-opening, to say the least. You're hyper-visible and invisible at the same time: not quite taken seriously by inmates, sometimes overlooked by staff, and always aware of the eyes on you.' The internship programme at Tihar is still evolving, and as a result, Kahali faced a lack of clear structure. She quickly learned the importance of asking for guidance and double-checking every instruction. 'I learned quickly that you have to ask (and keep asking) for guidance, double-check every instruction, and always prioritise your safety—never hesitate to request a guard's presence if you feel uneasy,' she wrote. Her daily tasks involved interviewing inmates, piecing together their stories, and presenting reports. However, the lack of clear information often made it challenging to proceed. Kahali emphasised the importance of building rapport, especially when interacting with inmates who could be silent, suspicious, or even dominant at times. 'If you're not fluent in Hindi, hypotheticals and personal examples work wonders,' she noted, adding that this approach helped her gain the trust of the inmates. Despite the difficulties, Kahali found unexpected warmth and support from the police heads at Tihar, which she described as a crucial factor in navigating the experience. 'I found unexpected warmth, support, and understanding from the police heads, which made a world of difference. So definitely, be open in your communication. There is always room for networking!' she shared. Kahali's advice for anyone considering an internship at Tihar included being patient and flexible due to the programme's evolving nature, as well as the importance of seeking out the proper documentation at Gate No. 3. Concluding her post, Kahali expressed both the challenges and rewards of her experience. 'Was it difficult? Hell yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely. You learn to adapt, think quickly, and connect with people in ways classroom theory could never teach you.' Her post garnered more than 500 likes and several thoughtful comments. One user praised her dedication, writing, 'Thank you for shedding light on your experience at Tihar Prison Complex. Your dedication to your work and the insights you've gained are truly commendable. Keep up the amazing work!' Another shared their own experience, saying, 'As I interned at Tihar, I can relate to your point of being the only woman in an all-male cell.' A third commenter remarked, 'Really loved reading this! The way you navigated such a challenging and unfamiliar space with so much clarity and strength is truly inspiring!' Yet another simply stated, 'Definitely worth reading.'
India Today
22-04-2025
- General
- India Today
Woman shares what it's like to intern inside Tihar's all-male block in viral post
A psychology intern from Ghaziabad shared what it took to navigate two intense weeks inside Delhi's Tihar Jail, as the only woman trainee in an all-male unit. In a detailed post on LinkedIn, Diya Kahali opened up about her two-week stint at Delhi's Tihar Prison Complex. The experience, as she put it, was "intense" and revealed the many layers of navigating life as an intern in an all-male correctional facility. advertisement"Surviving and Thriving: My reality as a psychology trainee at Tihar prison complex," she said. Her daily job involved speaking to inmates, building psychological reports, and facing off with grilling sessions by doctors - all while managing the unspoken challenges of being one of the only two women inside that zone. "You're hyper-visible and invisible at the same time," she said. According to her, interns at Tihar don't get a structured manual. "You have to keep asking for guidance, verify every step, and never hesitate to request a guard if needed." She also stressed the importance of being fluent in Hindi while building rapport. "Hypotheticals help. So do examples - without making it personal." As expected, not every inmate was open to talking. Some were silent, others suspicious. "Stay cool, stay confident, and never let your guard down," she advised. Despite the initial nerves, she found unexpected warmth from the senior police staff, which made a "world of difference." advertisementShe also dropped a few practical tips for future interns: Be patient: the system is still evolving Gate No. 3 is your go-to for documentationResearch is possible, but permission matters Be mentally prepared for a high-pressure environment "Was it difficult? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely," Diya said as she added that classroom theory comes nowhere close to what this experience taught her. Take a look at the post here: Her post struck a chord on social media. One user, who also interned at Tihar, said she could relate to the struggle of being the only woman in an all-male block. Others thanked her for being honest and informative. "As I interned at Tihar, I can relate to your point of being the only woman in an all-male cell," a user said, while another added, "Thank you for shedding light on your experience at Tihar Prison Complex. Your dedication to your work and the insights you've gained are truly commendable. Keep up the amazing work!" See the comments here: Diya Kahali's unfiltered look into the world of prison psychology was insightful and triggered a conversation. Must Watch
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Time of India
Woman psychology student shares raw account of interning at all-male facility in Tihar Jail. What did she learn from the experience?
Inside Tihar Jail Learning without a roadmap Navigating trust, silence, and suspicion Support from police Advice to future psychology interns For most students, internships offer a glimpse into their future profession. For Diya Kahali, a clinical psychology aspirant from Christ University , Delhi, it became an experience of survival, introspection, and learning in one of the most intense environments imaginable—Tihar Diya took to LinkedIn to recount her two-week internship at Tihar Prison Complex, Asia's largest correctional facility. Her post, titled 'Surviving and Thriving: My Reality as a Psychology Trainee at Tihar Prison Complex,' has sparked intrigue and admiration for her courage and isn't just any prison—it's a fortress of layered complexity, housing some of the most high-profile and hardened inmates. For Diya, stepping into this world as one of the only women in an all-male facility came with challenges that few psychology textbooks prepare you for."You're hyper-visible and invisible at the same time," she wrote. "Not quite taken seriously by inmates, sometimes overlooked by staff, and always aware of the eyes on you." She recalls that apart from her, the only other woman present was a female security guard. The mental toll of navigating such an environment wasn't minor—especially in a system where the internship structure itself is still quickly realized that Tihar's internship program lacks a defined framework. There were no structured schedules, clear instructions, or formal hand-holding. 'You have to ask (and keep asking) for guidance, double-check every instruction, and always prioritize your safety,' she wrote. At times, this meant requesting a guard's presence during inmate interviews—a non-negotiable for her peace of the chaos, she made it work. Her daily duties involved interviewing inmates, understanding their backgrounds and mental health status, and preparing weekly reports—often without much prior context. When quizzed by prison doctors, Diya was expected to go beyond her undergraduate training. Neeraj Ahuja's psychiatry book, she says, became her 'lifeline.'Perhaps the most emotionally demanding part of Diya's journey was building rapport with inmates—men who often met her presence with suspicion, silence, or attempts to dominate the interaction. Her secret weapon? Calm, confidence and the art of hypothetical questions.'If you're not fluent in Hindi, use personal examples—without giving away actual details,' she advised. This allowed inmates to feel understood rather than judged, encouraging more meaningful dialogue. But she was clear: 'Never let your guard down.'Amid the challenges, Diya found support in the police officers which made a lot of difference. She also encouraged future interns to be open in their communication with staff and make the most of networking opportunities—even within prison those considering a similar internship at Tihar, Diya offered three key pieces of advice:- Patience and flexibility are key: The program is still new and evolving.- Be prepared for an intense atmosphere: The psychological environment is demanding.- Research is possible, but restricted: With the right permissions and persistence, it can be done.
