Former President A P J Abdul Kalam on Thursday said everyone should have a beautiful mind to give to others and demonstrated what he said by donating Rs 1 lakh from his personal savings to Banyan, a non-governmental organisation for destitute mentally ill women at a function at Kovalam near Chennai.
Inaugurating the Community Mental Health Centre and community project of Banyan, he said no mentally ill women should be left uncared or unattended in the streets and the developed status of society was indicated by the respect it gave to its womanhood especially when they were ill.
By tradition, there was a hesitation to accept mental problem as an illness in our society, he said adding this had to be tackled with proper education and creating adequate number of psychiatrists by our educational system.
Citing an example of an youth affected by cerebral palsy, a condition which makes co-ordination between the mind and body difficult, he said the youth, Siddharth Jayakumar, selected by ABN Amro as a result of his academic track record, had a mission of carrying out social work particularly for uplifting the life of special people.
The experience of Siddharth clearly brought out the special strengths available with certain people with some disabilities, he said.
He said everyone should have a beautiful mind to give knowledge, kindness and affection. Kalm appreciated Sakthi Masala, a food manufacturing industry, for providing one third of its employment to differently abled.
Actor and trustee Vivek Oberoi, Director Maniratnam and actress Revathy attended the function.
More from rediff