Durga Puja, one of the most vibrant and eagerly awaited festivals in Bengal, is celebrated with great enthusiasm, bringing together families and communities in joyous revelry. This year, the celebration will extend its embrace to prison inmates in West Bengal. The correctional home authorities have curated a special festive menu, ensuring that those behind bars can partake in the spirit of the festival.
West Bengal Inmates To Celebrate Durga Puja With Bengali Dishes
This year, inmates can look forward to enjoying mutton biryani served with raita and basanti pulao. There will also be a variety of other regional delicacies on the menu such as macher matha diye pui shak (a stir-fry of leafy greens with fish head), macher matha diye dal (lentils flavoured with fish head), and comforting classics like luchi-cholar dal (fried flatbreads served with chickpea curry). According to Hindustan Times, other highlights include the rich alu potol chingri (a traditional dish of potatoes, pointed gourd, and shrimp), aromatic chicken curry, and the ever-sweet payesh (rice pudding) to finish off the meals on a sweet note.
The correctional authorities have also engaged inmates who work as cooks to prepare these festive delicacies. This fosters a sense of community and belonging and empowers the inmates by allowing them to take pride in the meals being served.
A Culinary Celebration Of Community
“We get requests from inmates for better food during every festival,” shared an official from the correctional home. “We have got a new menu this year and are hopeful that this will bring smiles to their faces. I personally consider this a very positive move to reform them,” the official continued, as per Hindustan Times reports.
Understanding the cultural significance of food during Durga Puja, the authorities have taken great care to ensure that the menu respects the diverse religious sentiments of the inmates. As a result, non-vegetarian options will be available on a selective basis, allowing inmates to choose according to their preferences.
As Durga Puja is celebrated across the state, the festivities will resonate in every corner, including the walls of correctional homes. With a total of 26,994 men and 1,778 women currently housed in 59 correctional facilities across West Bengal, the change in menu is also a gesture of goodwill.
The authorities’ efforts to incorporate festive meals into the inmates’ routines certainly celebrate the essence of Bengal’s rich culinary heritage.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva
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