Mentally ill back with family

VELLORE: A 24-year-old youngster hailing from Villupuram district, who had left home as a result of mental illness about six years ago, was reunited with his family, thanks to the initiative taken by the state supported Home for the socio-psychological rehabilitation for mentally ill persons at Tirupattur. The home is run by Udavum Ullangal, an NGO.Joint Secretary of the Home, Ramesh, recalled that he had received alerts from some of the autoriskshaw drivers in Ambur in the month of February this year about a youth who was living in a dilapidated building for over four years. He was eating garbage and drinking sewage water. When a rescue team from the Home went to Ambur, they saw the youth in an agonising condition. He was then admitted to the Home, where he received medication for his mental illness.Last Friday, he suddenly regained his memory, identified himself as Govindaraj and recalled the names of his family members in Tindivanam. Ramesh said that steps were taken to reunite the youth with his family by contacting special sub-inspector Srinivasan at the Vellimedupettai police station.The family reunion took place on Monday in the presence of Collector Ajay Yadav, who is also the Chairman of the Home.