Pune: The Yerawada Central Jail in Pune has inaugurated its annual "Diwali Fair," an exhibition and sale of handcrafted products made by inmates.

This initiative, organized under the guidance of Prashant Burde, Additional Director General of Police and Inspector General of Prisons & Correctional Services, Maharashtra, and Dr. Jalinder Supekar, Special Inspector General of Prisons, is aimed at promoting prisoner rehabilitation through skill development and creating a market for inmate-made products.

The Diwali fair was officially inaugurated by Swati Sathe, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons, Western Division, on October 26, 2024.

In her remarks, Sathe emphasized the prison department’s commitment to "Reform and Rehabilitation," noting that inmates are given various skill training opportunities to prepare them for reintegration into society.

The exhibition, held each year around major festivals, offers inmates a chance to showcase their skills and provides the public with quality products at affordable prices.

This year’s Diwali Fair includes an array of items crafted by inmates, such as teak wood furniture, prayer units, decorative items, clothing, towels, bed sheets, and traditional Diwali lanterns.

Additionally, freshly baked goods, including biscuits, are available for sale. The fair has already seen a positive response from the public.

The event was attended by several officials, including Superintendent Sunil Dhamale, Additional Superintendent Pallavi Kadam, Deputy Superintendent Dr. B.N. Dhole, and Senior Prison Officers R.E. Gaikwad, Mangesh Jagtap, and Ananda Kande, along with other prison staff and technical team members.