Diwali Diyas and Dignity: How Pune's Police-NGO Collaboration is Changing Lives

As Pune prepares to celebrate Diwali, a remarkable transformation is taking place in the city's homes and community centers. Women, many of whom are widowed or from underprivileged backgrounds, have come together to create beautiful handmade Diwali crafts, from painting diyas to stitching bags and crafting traditional jewelry.

This initiative, known as Mission Parivartan, is a collaboration between the Pune Police and the Kala Krida Sahitya Shantidoot Parivar NGO. Launched in August 2023 under the leadership of Joint Police Commissioner Ranjan Kumar Sharma, the program has since expanded to all city police stations, training nearly 5,000 women in valuable skills.

For women like Sheetal Nanawari, this opportunity has been truly life-changing. "I was never allowed to step out of the house since my marriage," she says. "This time, I got an opportunity to work from my home and make handicrafts." Sheetal can now proudly buy gifts for her children with her own earnings, a testament to the program's impact on financial independence and dignity.

Across the city, another network of women artisans operates under the Dada Vaswani Skill Development Institute (DVSDI), training women in stitching, embroidery, and crafting eco-friendly gift items. Many of these women, who had never held a job before, now contribute meaningfully to both charitable projects and their own households.

As the Diwali season approaches, the vibrant hum of productivity fills the air, with women meticulously painting diyas, expertly stitching bags, and carefully packing festive goods. This transformative initiative has not only empowered these women but also showcased the power of collaboration and the resilience of the human spirit.