- 18 inmates chosen for Tinka Tinka India Awards, 2025 across three categories: Painting, Special Mention, and Bandini. Out of the 18 inmates, 13 are convicts and 5 are under trials
- This year the theme for painting was Music in Jail. Winners in the painting category has 11 men and 2 women
- Tapas, a mentally disturbed convict inmate from West Bengal, has won the first prize. He is in jail since 2008
- Special Mention Award is given to 4 inmates. Only one inmate has been chosen for Tinka Tinka Bandini Award this year.
- Jury members were Arvind Kumar (IPS) Retd, DG Prisons, Madhya Pradesh and Dr. Rashmi Singh (IAS), Secretary, Women & Child Development Ministry, Govt. of NCT, Delhi and Professor Vartika Nanda, founder, Tinka Tinka Foundation (TTF).
- More than 200 inmates and 50 jail staffers have received Tinka Tinka India Awards since 2015.
42 year old Tapas Mandal, incarcerated in Central Correctional Home, Berhampur (West Bengal) has bagged first prize in the painting category this year. A farmer, Tapas, is in jail since 2008 and is suffering from mental illness. His powerful artwork celebrates India’s diverse musical heritage through vibrant portraits and classical imagery. At its center, a divine figure symbolizes the unifying and transformative spirit of music. The piece demonstrates how artistic expression can inspire hope, dignity, and connection even in confinement.
Second prize is shared between two inmates. 55 year old Rajanikant Chhitubhai Chauhan, lodged in Lajpore Central Prison, Surat, Gujarat is awarded for his artwork capturing the longing for freedom and the power of music and creativity in jail. Blending symbolic images such as instruments, lotus blooms, doves, and prison, the paintings portray hope emerging from confinement. Chauhan’s compelling visual storytelling earned him the second prize this year, highlighting the profound artistic talent flourishing even in custodial settings. Sher Singh, 37 year old convict serving life imprisonment in Central Jail, Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) has shared the second prize in the painting category. His sketch portrays a transformative journey in the jail, with inmates engaged in reading and music. A central image of broken chains symbolizes liberation and inner freedom. A memorial plaque honors Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s inspirational impact on Sher Singh, who is pursuing creative work during incarceration.
Rohan Pai Dhungat, a convict lodged in Covalam Jail, Goa since 2006 has won the third prize for his painting depicting a solitary inmate sitting on the floor of a dark coloured, confined space appearing like a prison cell. The floor colour pattern, similar to piano keys, with alternate shades of white and black, represents the contrast between freedom and confinement, while a bird perched atop the windowsill suggests the hope to fly free. The distant background outside the window bars symbolizes a city skyline with high rise buildings, indicating a longing for the outside world. While serving his term, Rohan has earned a bachelors degree in English Literature, PG Diploma in Labour and Administrative Law, LLB, LLM, besides PG in Journalism and Mass communication and NGO Mgmt from Goa University.
9 inmates have received consolation prizes this year.
This year 4 inmates are chosen for the special mention award. This award is conferred upon inmates who demonstrate exceptional initiative and contribute meaningfully to the well-being and upliftment of their peers, thereby enriching the collective prison experience. All the four inmates are convicts.
Tinka Tinka Bandini: 38 year old convict Paanbai, lodged in Central Jail, Jablapur (Madhya Pradesh) has been chosen for Tinka Tinka Bandini Award this year. Incarcerated since 2016, she is now a Convict Officer Incharge and works in the cooking section as well. She has devoted herself to the care of women inmates and their children and motivates these inmates to learn different skills to empower themselves.
BACKGROUND: Founded by Professor (Dr.) Vartika Nanda, head, Department of Journalism in Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, Tinka Tinka Foundation (TTF) is a Public Charitable Trust, constituted to work for prison reforms. Tinka Tinka India Awards are the solitary awards in India that recognise the talents and contributions of prison inmates and staff. Tinka Tinka Foundation honors every year the creativity and extraordinary work done in jails through these awards. Tinka Tinka Foundation has earned a reputation for creating rainbows in jails through prison radio, podcasts, books and research. It has been mentioned twice in the Limca Book of Records. Media Coordination for the Tinka Tinka Awards was done by researcher Pranav Chandhok. Some of the paintings related to the awards will adorn the walls of different jails and will be displayed in all their glory. These paintings stand as a true testament to the foundation’s motto: Creating rainbows in jail.
Youtube: Results: Tinka Tinka India Awards। 2025। 11th year of National Awards। जेल का सम्मान। Tinka Tinka Foundation. – YouTube
Website: wwww.tinkatinka.org/ www.vartikananda.com