-By ArdorComm News Network
May 8, 2025
In a significant gesture aimed at promoting education and rehabilitation, the Marathi Sahitya Sanskruti Kala Mandal (Marathi Literature, Culture, and Arts Council) from Vashi has donated 400 books to the Taloja Central Jail. The initiative, led through the Prof. Manikrao Kirtane Library and the Town Library, seeks to encourage constructive engagement and learning among inmates.
Out of the total, 300 books were contributed by the Kirtane Library and 100 by the Town Library. “We had a large collection and wanted it to serve a meaningful purpose,” said Subhash Kulkarni, President of the Kirtane Library. “We had done something similar five years ago and saw the positive impact, so we decided to contribute again.”
The donated collection comprises a wide range of Marathi literature, including novels by renowned authors, works on psychology, and a few English titles. The selection was curated to promote self-improvement, literacy, and intellectual growth among the prison population.
The books were formally handed over to jail authorities in a ceremony attended by Council Vice President Ravindra Nene, Prof. Ashwini Bachalkar, and Thane District Library Officer Prashant Patil. On the receiving end were Teacher Tagad and Senior Jail Officer Rahul Zhutale. The event was attended by approximately 200 inmates, who expressed interest in the initiative.
This donation is part of the Council’s broader commitment to social development through the power of literature and education. It aligns with a growing recognition of the role of reading and self-education in prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration.
By making literature accessible to incarcerated individuals, the Marathi Literary Council hopes to foster a more reflective, informed, and hopeful environment behind bars—demonstrating how culture can serve as a powerful tool for change.
Source: Economic times