Manjeshwar: The Snehalaya Charitable Trust, which has been serving individuals with mental illnesses for the past 15 years, is now extending its support to tackle a growing social challenge—addiction. The organization will inaugurate its new De-Addiction Center on October 2, 2024, at 9:30 AM at the Snehalaya Institute in Bachalike, Pavoor, Manjeshwar, Kasaragod.

The center will be inaugurated by Michael D Souza, a prominent Indian Non-Resident Businessman from Dubai, and blessed by Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese. Venerable Deepak Valerian Tauro, Assistant Dean of Delhi Diocese, will be the Chief Guest at the event.

Keynote addresses will be delivered by renowned journalist Vijayalakshmi Shibaruru and multi-religious sage Atmadas Yami. Other notable attendees include U.T. Khader, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, MLA A.K.M. Ashraf from Manjeshwar, MLA Kunhambhu from Uduma, and Daijiworld founder Walter Nandalike. More than 50 distinguished guests, 100 donors, and thousands of spectators and well-wishers are expected to attend.

Founded in 2009 on Saint Mother Teresa’s 99th birthday, Snehalaya Charitable Trust has provided shelter, medical care, and rehabilitation to over 1,300 individuals with mental illnesses. It began as a small initiative by Joseph Crasta, an auto driver from Mangaluru, after witnessing the plight of the homeless and mentally ill. Over time, the organization has grown into a comprehensive rehabilitation center recognized by the government and appreciated by the public.

The organization operates a Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Center for Men, established in 2009, which serves 300 mentally ill individuals by providing food, medical assistance, and rehabilitation services. In 2019, Snehalaya expanded its reach by launching a Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Home for Women, catering to 90 homeless women with mental and social issues.

The organization also runs a free mid-day meal program called Snehalaya Manna, which has provided daily meals to 700 patient attendants and the underprivileged at Wenlock District Government Hospital, Mangaluru, since 2015. Additionally, Snehalaya offers free ambulance services for socio-economically backward families, provides food kits to vulnerable communities, and actively participates in relief work during emergencies such as the Kerala floods and Coorg landslides.

The organization has also been a crucial support system during the COVID-19 pandemic, constructing houses for families in need, distributing food, and offering medical aid. Through these comprehensive initiatives, Snehalaya continues to make a substantial impact in the field of social service.

Since its inception, the Trust has rescued over 1,600 homeless people and reunited more than 1,300 residents with their families.

With the launch of its new De-Addiction Center, Snehalaya aims to build an "Addiction-Free Society," focusing on providing care, treatment, and rehabilitation for individuals suffering from various forms of addiction, which is increasingly affecting the youth, adolescents, and women.

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Kolkata (PTI): The police on Saturday arrested Satadru Datta, the prime organiser of the Lionel Messi football event at Salt Lake Stadium here, following widespread chaos at the venue, which prompted the Argentine World Cup-winning captain to leave the field early.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the stadium unrest, Datta was held by the Bidhannagar Police for “mismanagement” of the event from the Kolkata airport, where he had gone to see off Messi and his entourage on their way to Hyderabad.

"We are looking into whether there was any mismanagement from the organiser's side, which led to the chaos at the stadium. He has been detained, and the police have now brought the situation under control," West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said at a press conference.

A senior police officer later confirmed that Dutta has been arrested. Till reports last received, the police were interrogating him and his manager inside one of the departure lounges of the airport.

The organiser has given in writing that he will refund the prices of tickets he sold to the disappointed spectators, Kumar said.

What was supposed to be a marquee football spectacle turned into widespread violence and disorder at the stadium after Messi’s brief and tightly ring-fenced appearance, his first at the venue since 2011, left large sections of the crowd frustrated, as they failed to catch a glimpse of their superstar despite having travelled from far and wide, paying hefty sums for tickets.

Police said they were also investigating how organisers allowed sale of bottled waters and beverages inside the stadium premises, which are banned items during such events.

Thousands of water bottles were used as missiles and lobbed inside the pitch by angry spectators, who also uprooted bucket seats from the gallery and used them as ammunition inside the field against the defending police and security personnel.

Spectators alleged that water bottles were being sold at a massive premium inside the stadium despite police disallowing such items from outside at the entry gates.

Police agreed there was an underlying tension in the galleries on account of Messi not showing his footballing skills on the field, which only got aggravated after a bunch of VIPs, including State Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and unidentified people, blocked the football icon’s view during the limited time he spent on the ground.

“We are on the job, and will ensure that whoever is responsible for what happened today at Salt Lake Stadium will be punished, and action will be taken against the authorities concerned,” said Jawed Shamim, ADG, Law and Order.