Looking back at his life three years ago, a 19-year-old youth says he is grateful he did not slip permanently into crime. Influenced by a local ‘dada’, he and two friends were once detained in a dacoity case, believing it was an easy way to earn ₹500. The experience at the police station, however, became a turning point.
“The man we admired never came to help us. We saw our parents crying and begging the police. That day changed everything,” he recalled. After securing bail, the trio received counselling from the Pune Police and were guided towards skill-based work instead of crime.
Skills instead of stigma
Through Mission Parivartan, an initiative launched by the Pune Police with NGO support, the youths were trained in repairing watches, making Ganesha idols, stitching mattresses and bags. Their work soon began receiving orders from police stations themselves.
“The best feeling was when officers from the same police station that once saw us as criminals offered us tea and spoke to us like friends,” the youth said. “It was one of the happiest moments of my life.”
He is among over 700 juvenile offenders who have been reformed and rehabilitated through the programme. According to police officials, none of them have returned to crime.
Why Mission Parivartan was launched
Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma said the initiative began in 2023 amid growing concern over teenagers drifting into criminal activities, including repeat offences.
“We wanted to bring them back into the mainstream. Skill training emerged as the most effective solution, benefiting both the juveniles and their families,” Sharma said. Over time, mothers of these juveniles and women from economically weaker backgrounds also joined the initiative.
Stories of transformation
Several reformed youths shared their journeys. One teenager, booked for two murders at the age of 16, said he once aspired to become a ‘bhai’ after seeing criminals flaunt money and power. “When I was arrested, I felt my life was over. Mission Parivartan gave me a second chance,” he said. Today, he runs a juice shop in another city and lives with dignity.
Another case involved a 14-year-old booked for attempted murder after shooting a bully with a country-made pistol. Anger management and counselling sessions helped him break free from gang influence.
Results backed by data
Mission Parivartan has data on nearly 4,000 juvenile offenders and has reached out to about 1,500 so far. Over 700 remain in regular contact and crime-free.
Police officials stress that family issues and economic hardship are key drivers of juvenile crime. “We study each case deeply, keep youths away from negative influences, provide skills and ensure regular work,” said Yogesh Jadhav of Mission Parivartan.