Yerawada Prison Inmates Craft 200 Eco-Friendly Ganesh Idols for Pune Festival

Prisoners at Yerawada Central Jail in Pune have crafted around 200 eco-friendly Ganesh idols using natural clay as part of the prison's rehabilitation and skill-development programme. Nearly 190 of these idols have been sold through stalls at Yerawada and Swargate, according to prison supervisor Kundalik Khalokar.

The initiative began with training in January involving 15 prisoners and two supervisors. Three inmates demonstrated exceptional skill and were appointed to lead the production team. Idol-making began in May-June, with the finished products available in various sizes and designs, priced between ₹600 and ₹3,000.

The eco-friendly idols, made from shaadu maati natural clay, offer devotees an environmentally sustainable alternative while providing prisoners with vocational training and livelihood opportunities during Ganeshotsav celebrations.