Pudhiya Nambikkai’, is a Model Prison Project, started by Sri Aurobindo Society in collaboration with various other organisations to help prisoners in Puducherry Central Jail to reclaim their dignity and self-worth by equipping them with the skills and tools necessary to earn a livelihood while still in prison, and also integrate back into society on their release from the prison.

In India, the prison inmates learn some handwork that will help them earn a livelihood when they are out of prison and into society.  A group of prisoners belonging to the Pondicherry Central Prison and the Berhampore, Murshidabad was trained in making idols and sculptures.  To everyone’s joy and surprise, their craftsmanship is on par with that of a sculptor who has years of experience in the same field.

The idol of Lord Ganesha and the idol of Mata Durga sculpted by the inmates of Pondicherry Central Prison and Berhampore, Murshidabad respectively are being exchanged as an act of good faith among the prison of Pondicherry and Kolkata.

The idol of Mata Durga came from the prison of Kolkata and reached Pondicherry today and the idol of Ganesha was brought from the Central Prison of Pondicherry to the Society House for a small prayer. 

Ms. Alokananda Roy a notable personality working with the inmates in almost all the prisons of India taming and training the inmates along with her team joined hands with the team members of the Prison Reformation Project of the Society in this remarkable event.

A moment of impulse has made them prisoners but let us all be with them and help them to be normal people when they are into society. This is everyone’s responsibility.