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NT Bureau
Chennai, Aug 24:
 

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam trying his hand at painting during the inauguration of various projects by Banyan at Kovalam yesterday.

        Former President of India A P J Abdul Kalam has donated Rs one lakh from his personal savings for the welfare and rehabilitation of 10 women sheltered at the newly launched project undertaken by Banyan, a non- government organisation, working for mentally destitute women at Kovalam near Chennai.

        After inaugurating the projects namely Community Mental Health Centre, Protected Community and Spice Route and its social enterprise wing, the President said society should come forward to ensure the safety of women and respect them. He appealed to the NGO to ensure that no mentally ill people remain homeless, unattended and uncared.

        Sharing his experiences, he said if mentally retarded people were given the best care, knowledge and guidance, they could bring a lot of changes for themselves and others.

        He appealed to the people to have the willingness to give, which in turn would give them happiness, love and knowledge. Applauding the efforts of Banyan and their various innovative models adopted to bring about a change in the condition of destitute women, he said studies and research on mental illness were on at Anna University and it is expected to be completed in a few months.

        Highlighting various problems, Vandana, founder-trustee of the NGO, said lack of access to care was the root-cause of problems faced by women in all parts of country. She said it's time to work together and adopt best possible methods to solve the problem.

        Jeppiar College of Engineering signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the NGO to sponsor all the meals of the protected community for a year.

        Spread over an area of 8,000 sq ft, the new centre provides general health outpatient services, six days a week and has 10- bed in- patient facility for the mentally ill. Apart from this the CHMC aims at increasing awareness on mental illness among members of the Kovalam community

        Mustafa Hussain, son of artist M F Hussain, and Mani Rathnam, film director, who were present at the programme, promised their help to generate fund for the organisation by putting up on auction the paintings of M F Hussain with his consent.

        Besides them, Vivek Oberoi, actor, P S Raman, Madras High Court Additional Advocate-General, Lady Nina Bracewell Smith, Homestead Charitable Trust, Nachiket Mor, deputy managing director, ICIC, and G Kannan, director - Operation, E Funds, were present.