Mutton Biriyani, Basanti Pulao & Much More For Prisoners In Bengal’s Jails During Durga Puja

Kolkata: To ensure that inmates don’t feel left out, correctional home authorities in Bengal have planned to serve mutton biryani, ‘basanti pulao’ and other Bengali delicacies during Durga Puja, an official said on Saturday, according to reports.

The changed menu will be served to both convicts and undertrials for lunch and dinner. This will be effective from Sasthi (October 9) to Dashami (October 12).

“We get requests from inmates for better food during every festival. We have got a new menu this year and are hopeful that this will bring smiles to their faces. I personally consider this as a very positive move to reform them,” the official said, as quoted by PTI.

The inmates, who work as cooks, would prepare the delicacies. Some of the dishes to be served include, ‘Macher matha diye pui shak’ (Malabar spinach with fish head), ‘macher matha diye dal’ (dal with fish head), ‘luchi-cholar dal’ (puri and Bengali chana dal), ‘payesh’ (Bengali porridge), chicken curry, ‘alu potol chingri’ (shrimp with pointed gourd and potato), mutton biryani with ‘raita’ (mixed curd) and ‘basanti pulao’ (yellow pulao), he said.

Non-vegetarian food will not be served to those who don’t want to eat the same. “We want to bring changes in their routine, a break from their daily lives,” the official added.

According to reports, 26,994 men and 1,778 women are now lodged in 59 correctional homes in the state.