Pune: 250 Ganpati Made From Shadu Clay By Prisoners Of Yerwada Jail

Yerwada, 27th August 2022: Citizens are celebrating Ganeshotsav without restriction after almost two years after the corona pandemic. Therefore, preparations for the arrival of Ganapati have started in every Ganesha Mandal and every household.

Recognizing this, for the first time this year, 250 Shadu clay idols have been made by the prisoners from Yerwada Jail in Pune. In it, the beautiful and elegant idols of Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati, and Lalbaugcha Raja are also put up for sale. As all these idols are eco-friendly and affordable to all, citizens are increasingly preferring to buy them.

Regarding this initiative, Rani Bhosle, Superintendent of Yerwada Jail said, “Various items are produced through the inmates serving sentences in Yerwada Jail. The sale of that item continues throughout the year at our sales centre here. It gives a good income. But more than that, the prisoners get an opportunity to give scope to their artistic qualities. The purpose behind all these activities is to have some art in hand when starting life anew after serving the punishment. Also, on the occasion of Rakshabandhan and Diwali, the sales centre has products for sale in accordance with those festivals. The citizens of Pune are responding well to it.”

She further said, “Ganpati idols were being made by the prisoners of Nashik Central Jail. After communicating with the local administration, we invited two local sculptors to train here in May. About 15 prisoners participated in making these idols and various idols like Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati, and Lalbaugcha Raja have been created with a height of two and a half to three and a half feet. The price of these idols ranges from Rs 600 to Rs 15 thousand. So far, about 50 idols have been booked.”