https://csim.in/conversations/Conversations-May2013.pdf

Gemini fly over, an iconic landmark in Chennai City, has been the bridge for several abandoned mentally ill persons to reach Rafi’s home.

When Rafi was returning after work one day, he noticed a man in soiled clothes taking food from a trash bin. This happened the next day, and even the day after.“I first thought that he was poor and abandoned. It was only after a few days did I realize that he was also mentally ill. I then took him to Karunai illam, an orphange,” said Rafi.

Rafi began referring people whom he found on the streets to orphanages and homes for the mentally ill, and was happy to see most of them recover and reunite with their families. When one of the orphanage coordinators asked him to establish a home of his own, Rafi decided to set forth this idea.

“I started looking around for rented premises, but none were willing to offer me space as I told them that it was meant for the mentally ill. I was living at Perianna Mudali Street near Stanley Medical college, and had two guest rooms in the first floor that was vacant. I convinced my wife; shifted my family to the first floor; and set up a home for the mentally ill in the ground floor,” said Rafi.

From 5 the number of inmates grew to 20, and it was getting difficult for Rafi and his spouse to manage their neighbours who complained of noise. He therefore moved his family to Kerala and started to manage the home on his own.

“One of my donors, the Managing Director of The Chennai Silks, visited my home to share a festive gift with the inmates.Sensing my difficulties, he offered to buy land to construct a home. This is how we purchased the 1.69 acre plot at Thirunilai, a Village in Ponneri Taluk in Thiruvallur District in Tamil Nadu,” said Rafi.

In 2000, Rafi established Anbagam Rehabilitation Centre at Thirunilai, and housed 30 inmates to start with. Today, this home provides care and shelter for 100 persons (74 men and 26 women) who suffer from mental illness. Till date, 950 persons have been rescued from street’s and highway’s ,and 750 have been reunited with their families. “We do our best in reuniting the inmates with their families,” said Rafi sharing an album with pictures of the inmates before they arrived at Anbagam, and after they have been reunited with their families. Some of the pictures were a striking contrast though.

The trustees of Anbagam hail from seven different states of India and represent all religions in our country. The block for women inmates was inaugurated on April 28th at Anbagam. “We now have room for 24 more women here,” said Rafiya, Rafi’s daughter who now manages the women’s block.

“Housing 100 inmates in the home does involve a lot of costs. So, how do you manage these expenses,” I asked.

“We have several donors who support us. For instance, Mr. Mahadevan of Hot Breads provides us with medicines; and Chennai Silks regularly donates10,000 rupees a month,” explains Rafi.

Walking around the premise, I noticed a few men relaxing in the tiffin shed. Bobby was overwhelmingly excited when he saw me click pictures, but the others seemed least disturbed by my presence.

The cows and bulls were grazing in the front yard, and few men were drawing water from the hand pump. The kitchen was in action as the lunch time neared, and few inmates, both men and women, were assisting the cook. The store room was stocked with provisions and there was a repetition of Ram nam in the background.

The few hours that I spent at Anbagam, felt like being in paradise as I sensed only love and care here.