The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Village for destitutes to come up near Mysore

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Saturday, Sep 30, 2006
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Village for destitutes to come up near Mysore

Special Correspondent

It will have a rehabilitation and vocational training centre

SHELTER FOR HOMELESS: H. Sudarshan, winner of the Alternative Nobel Prize, and actor Ramesh (right), at a press conference on Friday. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Bangalore: Giving food or a few coins to a mentally ill homeless person will not end destitution in this State, H. Sudarshan, winner of the Alternative Nobel Prize and former Director (Health) Lokayukta, said here on Friday.

Announcing the Maanasa Movement to provide homes for people on the streets, he told presspersons that the first Maanasa village to come up close to Mysore will be a complete settlement for such persons. It will have a rehabilitation centre and vocational training centre where they will be cared for, treated, taught to be self-reliant, without ever having to be back on the streets again, he said.

"The movement is to eventually have such villages across the country and the beginning is being made in Karnataka. We will pick up people with mental illness from the streets and from destitute homes and bring them to provide the special care they need," Dr. Sudarshan said. If they could be restored to their families, efforts would be taken to do so.

Funding

Asked about funding, he said corporates could come forward to help by pledging just Rs. 95 per month from the salary of each employee and larger contributions would be welcome.

Individuals, families, groups and businesses too could help by sharing a festival or a family event with the people in Maanasa.

Brand Ambassador for the movement is actor Ramesh .

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