15 November 2024, Thane: Target Publications Pvt. Ltd., a leading name in educational publishing, celebrated Children’s Day with a heartfelt event for children residing in the Thane Central Prison premises with their mothers, as well as children of Thane prison staff. The celebration, held at Nanhe Kadam Balwadi outside the 4 walls of prison but within the premises, brought smiles to children aged 2 to 10 years through engaging activities that lasted over an hour.

The event began with a lively storytelling and puppet show conducted by Manorama Shetty, an experienced educator and content developer at Target Publications. This was followed by creative craft-making sessions, interactive games, and picture charades. To add a creative spark, Target Publications also distributed drawing books, which the children enthusiastically began working on during the event.

Rani Bhosale, Superintendent of Thane Central Prison, acknowledged the event’s impact, stating:

“Target Publications has brought a wonderful Children’s Day celebration to the children of our incarcerated mothers and our dedicated prison staff children. Seeing the joy on their faces today was truly heartwarming. The Nanhe Kadam Balwadi for children of incarcerated mothers and prison guard children, started within the premises just a week ago, has had a strong beginning with this event. We look forward to more enriching initiatives and workshops with Target Publications.”

Tushar Chaudhari, Executive Director of Target Publications Pvt. Ltd., shared his pride in the initiative, remarking:

“It is an honour to collaborate with the prison authorities to bring joy and learning to the children of incarcerated mothers and the hardworking Thane prison staff. At Target Publications, we are deeply committed to empowering every child, irrespective of their circumstances, to grow, learn, and thrive. This event reaffirms our dedication to fostering creativity, education, and joy among young minds.”

Counsellor Anushri Shevde, Program Associate, Aangan Trust highlighted the importance of the day, saying:

“Today’s celebration was not only a joyful experience but also an insightful learning opportunity for the children attending the Balwadi. The storytelling, crafts, and games provided them with an engaging and meaningful outlet for creativity and self-expression. We are excited to continue this collaboration with Target Publications to further enrich the lives of these children.”

The Nahe Kadam Balwadi in Thane central prison is one of five “Nanhe Kadam Balwadi” prison crèches in Maharashtra, dedicated to the holistic development of children of incarcerated mothers and prison staff alike. This compassionate system of crèches was first envisioned by DIG Yogesh Desai and launched in December 2022, establishing an innovative public-private partnership. Community groups and social initiatives play a crucial role in this model, ensuring the children’s needs are met in a nurturing, safe and inclusive environment.

The event underscored the strength of collaboration between organizations and social initiatives, creating an environment of inclusivity and celebration for children who often face unique challenges. Through shared dedication, Target Publications, Aangan Trust and Maharashtra’s compassionate Nanhe Kadam Prison crèches are pioneering supportive spaces that uplift and empower young individuals, providing them with moments of joy, learning, and meaningful growth.