Breaking the past traditions, the inmates will add colour to Holi at Ghaghidih Central Jail. The central jail authority is gearing up for ‘Holika Dahan’, serving delicious food and also playing with colour on the occasion of festival colours. The idea is to make the 1,850 plus jail-inmates to feel at home.

Superintendent of Ghaghidih Central Jail, Satyendra Chaudhury, said he has tried to make the Holi this year a special event inside the central prison.

“We want the inmates to also enjoy their traditional festival. They will soak in the spirit of Holi. We are making the arrangement of Holi in such a way that they don’t miss their homes,” said Chaudhury.

The central jail superintendent informed that the Holika Dahan, a ritual which is observed on the eve of Holi, will be done on Wednesday evening.

 “As per the plans, Holika Dahan will be done on the prison premises and it will be carried out by the officialBut all the other rituals will be celebrated inside the central prison,” said the senior prison officer.

He said for ensuring a memorable Holi, the central jail administration has brought in adequate amount of ‘gulal’ of various colour and also the colour to be mixed with water for the revellers of Holi.

“Moreover, all the inmates will be served with mutton curry and those who are vegetarian or would not eat non-veg on Thursday will be served different delicacy and sweets,” said central jail superintendent.

Chaudhury said musical and cultural programme will also be presented during the Holi celebration for which the jail administration has provided musical instruments to the inmates.

Located in the south-eastern fringe of the city, Ghaghidih Central Jail has over 1,850 prisoners.

Notably, the Ghaghidih Central Jail is spread over an area of 20 acres -set up on as large an area as Birsa Munda Central Jail in Hotwar, Ranchi. Spread over 20 acres of land, the Ghaghidih Central Jail has a prisoners’ capacity of 1,447.

There are a total of 11 trained jail guards, including three female ones. In addition, there are 65 hired security guards, including ex-servicemen and Home Guard personnel.