Prisoners to get mutton biryani, chicken curry, basanti pulao during Durga Puja in West Bengal
During Durga Puja, inmates in West Bengal will be treated to a festive menu featuring delicious mutton biryani and basanti pulao, prepared by the prisoners themselves! Discover how this initiative brings joy and a taste of celebration to those behind bars.
This Durga Puja, inmates across West Bengal’s correctional homes are set to experience a taste of the festivities with a special menu featuring mutton biryani, basanti pulao, and other beloved Bengali delicacies. From October 9 (Sasthi) to October 12 (Dashami), the festive spread will bring joy to prisoners, ensuring they feel a part of the state’s biggest celebration.
Inmates, trained as cooks, will prepare traditional favorites like ‘macher matha diye pui shak’ (Malabar spinach with fish head), ‘luchi-cholar dal’ (puri and Bengali chana dal), chicken curry, ‘payesh’ (Bengali porridge), and ‘alu potol chingri’ (shrimp with pointed gourd). The highlight will be mutton biryani served with raita and the iconic basanti pulao.
“We regularly receive requests for better food during festivals. This menu is our way of making their celebrations special and contributing to their rehabilitation,” shared a senior official behind the initiative.
Non-vegetarian options will be optional, respecting individual preferences, but the festive spirit remains strong. “For many, Durga Puja isn’t complete without fish or meat on the table. We wanted to bring that same joy to the inmates, giving them a break from routine,” the official added.
This gesture is part of the correctional system’s efforts to uplift inmates during significant cultural occasions. "We hope this brings smiles and makes them feel connected to the outside celebrations," said another official.
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Among the prominent inmates at Kolkata’s Presidency Jail are ex-ministers Partha Chatterjee and Jyoti Priya Mallick, as well as former R G Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh. The special menu will be rolled out across 59 correctional homes in West Bengal, housing over 28,000 prisoners, ensuring no one misses out on the festive flavor.
“Durga Puja is a time for joy, and we want the inmates to feel included in that,” the official emphasized, underscoring the importance of bringing the festive spirit behind bars.
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