An initiative to awaken the goodness within inmates and help them return to the mainstream of society
Pune, August 2026: While serving sentences for mistakes committed in a moment of anger or inadvertently, inmates are being given opportunities to rediscover their positive side and prepare themselves to return to the mainstream of society. As part of these continued efforts by the prison administration, inmates have this year crafted eco-friendly Lord Ganesha idols from natural Shadu clay, combining rehabilitation with creativity.
The idols have been made under the ‘Preranapath’ initiative, which has been jointly implemented for several years by the Maharashtra Prison Administration, Bhoi Pratishthan-Pune and Adarsh Mitra Mandal, Pune. Under the initiative, inmates were trained in the art of making Ganesha idols. Besides providing them an opportunity to showcase their artistic skills, the programme aims to enhance their self-confidence, transform their sense of remorse into positive action and help them rebuild their connection with society.
The inmates have created finely crafted and attractive Ganesha idols that can rival those made by professional artists. Renowned sculptors Vivek Khatavkar, Viraj Khatavkar and Pundalik Khalolkar, along with their associates, provided training and guidance to the inmates in the art of idol-making.
Additional Director General of Police, Prisons and Correctional Services, Dr Suhas Warke, Inspector General Yogesh Desai, Yerawada Central Prison Superintendent Sunil Dhamal and Additional Superintendent Pallavi Kadam have appealed to citizens to wholeheartedly accept the Ganesha idols crafted by the inmates and install them in their homes during the festival.
They expressed confidence that the initiative would encourage the inmates and further strengthen the positive transformation taking place within them. The programme is also aimed at demonstrating that individuals who have made mistakes can reform themselves and make a constructive contribution to society when provided with the right opportunities.
The eco-friendly Ganesha idols are being sold at a stall at Gayatri Clinic, Khadak Mal, Rashtrabhushan Chowk, Shivaji Road, Pune. Made from natural Shadu clay, the idols are environmentally friendly and offer devotees an opportunity to support both ecological conservation and the rehabilitation of inmates.
The Maharashtra Prison Administration, Bhoi Pratishthan-Pune and Adarsh Mitra Mandal, Pune have appealed to citizens to purchase these idols and support the initiative, which seeks to turn repentance into positive transformation and help inmates reconnect with the mainstream of society.
