Ganesh idols, accessories made in corporation-run shelters

Sudha D, caretaker of a shelter in Injambakkam, displayed the colourful wax models of Ganesha. Manning the stall for the last two weeks now, Sudha said that these products were made by the all-male inmates of the shelter. “There are 31 people in this shelter in Zone 15 (Sholinganallur). 

While most of them work outside the shelter, a group is involved in making these items. The raw materials are given to us by the director of the shelter. During the festival time, our inmates put up stalls at Injambakkam bus stop, Thiruvanmiyur market and in Medavakkam Koot Road bus stop. The entire set — including the idol, umbrella and a tiny garland — costs Rs 150,” said Nagarajan N, coordinator. 

At the Ripon Building, senior citizens from a shelter in Choolai, run by Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO), showcased the colourful garlands they have made. “We have around 58 senior citizens and we make these garlands every year,” said Jayanthi S, one of the inmates. Festival season is also the peak business-making period for M Balasubramanian. 

The 39-year-old entrepreneur, taught his fellow inmates in a shelter in Bharathi Nagar. “Most of these are priced between Rs 10 and 50. I got a funding of Rs 10,000 from the shelter director to run this venture,” he said. A Corporation official said that 13 shelters have participated in this. “The idea is to make the inmates self-sufficient and develop their skills to make a living,” concluded the source.