Arpita Srivastava
Mapusa: Central Jail at Colvale won a National Tinka Tinka India Award in its maiden entry, with convict Rohan Pai Dhungat securing third prize in the painting category at the national level.
Dhungat was among 18 inmates selected from across India for the awards, which have three categories — Painting, Special Mention and Bandini.
Central Jail SP Sucheta Dessai said Dhungat had set an example for other prisoners. “As part of motivation, he was asked to participate in this competition at the last minute. We never had our representation. He did the painting in one night as we got to know about the competition at the last minute, and we are happy that he won a national award,” she said.
Jail authorities said participation in the awards was part of efforts to reform and rehabilitate prisoners by recognising their talents.
The painting depicted a solitary inmate seated on the floor of a dark, confined space resembling a prison cell. The artwork features a floor colour pattern similar to piano keys, with alternating white and black shades representing the contrast between freedom and confinement. A bird perched on the windowsill symbolises hope, while the distant city skyline beyond the bars reflects a longing for the outside world. He has also displayed his work at an exhibition.
During his incarceration since 2006, Dhungat has completed a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, a PG Diploma in Labour and Administrative Law, LLB, LLM, and postgraduate degrees in Journalism and Mass Communication and NGO Management from Goa University.
The Tinka Tinka Foundation is a public charitable trust working on prison reforms. The Tinka Tinka India Awards are the only national awards recognising the talents and creative contributions of prison inmates and staff.
