Prison inmates’ Ganesh idol featured at Pune Festival
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In Pune, India, prison inmates crafted a Ganesh idol now displayed at the annual Pune Festival.
The Maharashtra Prison Department partnered with Bhoi Pratishthan and Adarsh Mitra Mandal to launch ‘Preranapath’, a program teaching inmates practical skills and aiding their reintegration into society. Renowned sculptors Vivek Khatavkar and Viraj Khatavkar trained the inmates in idol-making, resulting in over 300 Ganesh idols.
President Krishnakumar Goyal of the Pune Festival personally selected one of the inmate-made idols to be part of the city’s celebrations, noting the initiative connects cultural events with social reform. He explained that purchasing these idols provides inmates with marketable skills and confirms society’s willingness to acknowledge their positive change. The program’s goal extends beyond skill-building, focusing on public acceptance of reformed individuals.
Organizers believe seeing their work displayed publicly, becoming part of a festival, family traditions, and the city’s cultural life, offers inmates vital recognition and a sense of dignity. The idol serves as a reminder that past mistakes should not limit a person’s potential and that festivals can offer opportunities for fresh starts.
