Parents open rehab centre for their special children

Bangalore, June 4 (UNI) Parents of mentally retarded children have joined hands to establish a home for their children on the outskirts of the city to provide them constant attention and care.

Keeping in mind the present and future needs of these special children, the Karnataka Parents' Association for Mentally Retarded Citizens (KPAMRC) decided to start the rehabilitation centre. It would provide homely treatment to its inmates as it would be run by the parents themselves.

Inaugurating the complex today, Union Minister of State for Planning M V Rajasekharan said mentally retarded children did not need sympathy from the people, but just a helping hand to enable them lead a comfortable life. Such rehabilitation centres should be given all possible help by both the government and people, he added.

KPAMRC Secretary and noted journalist J P Gadkari said under the first phase of the project, a building had been constructed at a cost of Rs 15 lakh. Four more buildings, including a vocational training centre, would be built within the next three years, he added.

The home would also accommodate old couples who had no one to take care of them, except their mentally retarded children, he disclosed.

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