FREEDOM AT MENTAL ASSYLUM

15th August is celebrated by our Lions Club of Kopri-Thane at N.M.Mental Hospital, Thane for last 22 years. It is a tradition which makes me proud as the President initiating it. How much this tradition has helped the Hospital, I do not know. It has certainly taught us a thing or two. Some lessons came from the Doctors and other staff and some from inmates. I have not kept any record of them but few I can remember are worth mentioning here.

Normally our banner reads as Lions Club of Kopri Welcomes you. The painter changed it to Lions of Kopri welcomes you. Mistake welcome and welcomes was pointed out by one of the cured patient. We Lions have tradition of reading flag salutation in very meeting. The tradition is all the more significant on 15th Auguat. Every body stands at that time as mark of respect to national flag. We just stand but the inmates folded hands as Namaskar. without being prompted.

The programmes they present is practised and rehearsed for days in advance. It helps to keep their mind occupied. Once in a while we go to watch the practice. The simple action of facing the audience and turning back is to be rehearsed 100 times till everybody can make it together. Either they will not turn at all or turn not to full 180 degree or turn in wrong direction. The patience shown by the training staff till every thing is synchronized is amazing. The actual performance on d day is baffling to ay the least. There is joy of wearing anything else than uniform for them. Imagine how much joy must be brought by the colourful bright dresses and make up. It overflows on most of the faces The watchful eyes of the staff never leave them for a moment. Almost like security man behind the Prime Minister of India delivering speech from Red fort. And the audience! The response is simply to be seen to believe. A character saluting national flag from stage will prompt few dozens to do the same from audience. Most of them are totally engrossed and clap with innocence of child. But some faces would be always blank either on the stage or in audience reminding us that everything is not normal.

We are told that the audience of hundred or two patients brought to watch the show is less than 10 % of the total strength and most of them cured patient who are not accepted back home. We have seen some faces over dozen of years and even become friendly with some of them. They would ask only two things a bidi or taking them back to family. The real patients in the wards are beyond comprehension of what is Independence and what is programme.

This year we had a real different story presented for change, for the first time in 22 years. A lady patient by name of Rajkumari ( Babita as nick named by the hospital ) narrated her story. She is from west Bengal. Does not remember how she came here, does not remember that she had a son till the treatment cured her. She wrote down her address and would give to everyone coming to visit the hospital. One of the staff took pity and sent a letter on the address. Reply did come. She was united with her family. Her son separated from her ( probably in train ) was also located in Madhya Pradesh. Too good or to filmy like to believe but true. We were in for surprise when doctors told us that they could unite three such patients in last year. Three may be next to zero compared to thousands of inmates. But even that fractional number was also achieved in last 22 years of our association. A true case of freedom at asylum. Compliments and congratulations to the hospital. Let us pray to God there would be many more such freedoms.

Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com