A Dignified Wait: Cybage Foundation’s gesture for visitors at Yerawada Central Jail

A new, thoughtfully designed waiting facility brings dignity and comfort to families of prison inmates, setting a precedent for humane infastructure in public spaces

In a significant step towards humanising the experience of families visiting incarcerated loved ones, Cybage Foundation—the CSR arm of Cybage Software—has inaugurated a state-of-the-art waiting facility at the historic Yerawada Central Jail in Pune.

With an annual footfall of over 3,50,000 visitors, the new infrastructure promises to bring both relief and respect to those whose pain is usually overlooked by the public.

The newly built facility includes seating for more than 1,000 visitors, modern sanitation units, safe drinking water stations, a snack kiosk, a feeding room for nursing mothers, and a covered walkway leading to meeting rooms. In addition, it houses a legal consultation room and organised registration counters to improve visitor flow. The development was led entirely by Cybage Foundation, in collaboration with local authorities and prison administration.

• Cybage Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cybage Software, operates through its trusts—CybageAsha and CybageKhushboo—focusing on sustainable, grassroots development. Its initiatives span education, livelihood, rural upliftment and healthcare, aiming to make measurable, long-term impacts.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ritu Nathani, Head of Cybage Foundation and Board Director at Cybage Software said, “This is not just a structure of brick and mortar; it is a space built with empathy and a deep understanding of silent suffering. Every day, families, many from remote villages, make long, emotionally draining journeys to visit their loved ones behind bars. For years, they have waited in the open, exposed to the sun, rain and judgment. With this initiative, we wanted to say: You are seen, you are valued, and you deserve dignity. At Cybage Foundation, our focus has always been to channel our CSR efforts toward real, measurable and humane impact. This project reflects that belief, to fill the silent gaps that most do not think to address.

Sunil Dhamal, Superintendent, Yerawada Central Prison, Pune, welcomed the effort as a landmark collaboration. “Families who come here often carry emotional pain that no one sees. This facility, though modest in structure, will go a long way in easing their experience. We thank Cybage Foundation for this act of meaningful compassion,” he expressed.

The project reflects Cybage Foundation’s broader commitment to high-impact, community-centric initiatives. Known for its work through CybageAsha and CybageKhushboo, the Foundation is dedicated to creating a positive impact through various grassroots initiatives. Their focus extends beyond corporate boundaries, championing causes that uplift lives and ensures sustainable development.

With this initiative, Cybage not only transforms a waiting area, but also raises the bar, for the manner in which institutions can acknowledge and support unseen burdens.