‘Everyone deserves a second chance’: Meet the philanthropist who helped free 20,000 prisoners

Last month, Indian businessman Firoz Merchant donated 2.25 crore rupees for the release of over 900 prisoners across different nationalities, including Indians, from UAE prisons. These amounts went towards fines and also tickets to the prisoners’ home countries in cases of deportation.

Since he started his philanthropic initiative, The Forgotten Society, in 2008, Merchant, who is based in Dubai, has contributed towards the release of over 20,000 prisoners.

In conversation with Newslaundry’s Tanishka Sodhi, Merchant explains what motivates him, saying people imprisoned due to financial constraints deserve a second chance at life.

Watch.