Mentally challenged man reunited with son after 14 yrs

The Corporation officials, during a special drive to rescue homeless persons, found Achai Lal roaming the streets and rescued him on November 27. As he was mentally challenged, he was sent to a Corporation-run shelter for mentally challenged persons for further care.

“During a conversation with Achai Lal, we came to know about his native village in Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh. When we alerted the Sureri police about him, it was revealed that he went missing from his village 14 years ago,” a Corporation official said.

The local police informed A Dinesh, Achai Lal’s son, who was searching for his father 14 years. “Dinesh, along with his family, came down to Chennai on Thursday and met deputy commissioner (Health) P Madhusudhan Reddy, who handed over Achai Lal to him. The family embraced Achai Lal and took him back to their village,” the official added.

Other 11 mentally challenged persons, who were rescued along with Achai Lal, are under the care of two shelters run by the Corporation.

Meanwhile, the civic body, in a statement on Saturday, said that the residents should inform the Corporation officials if they find homeless persons and mentally challenged persons in their localities. Residents can contact 1913, 94451 90472 and 044 2530 3849.

The civic officials, on Wednesday night, rescued 58 homeless persons from Vyasarpadi, Broadway, Koyambedu and Guindy. The rescued persons were sent to homeless shelters.

Presently, 1,786 persons are staying in 37 shelters for homeless persons run by the Corporation. The civic body also maintains 13 shelters at government hospitals to help relatives of the patients.