Missing Man Mahesh Patel from Rajasthan who was loitering around in Mangaluru since three years was finally Reunited with Family Members in City, by Mymuna Foundation, and its Founder, Mohammed Asif, in the presence of Bunder Police Station Inspector Govind Raju at Bunder police station on Thursday, 10 September 2020.
“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”-Saint Mother Teresa.
Mangaluru : Mother Teresa was an inspiration to countless millions for her lifelong devotion to the neediest and most vulnerable of the world. The selflessness and sacrifice with which she lived her own life made her an international symbol of charitable work, and the love and compassion she showed the destitute of all faiths won her a Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, which she donated entirely to the poor and destitute. And here we have a man who had followed in Her footsteps taking care of the destitute stranded on streets, exclusively Mentally Unsound People, at the Foundation home. And this Good samaritan is Mohammed Asif, the Founder of Mymuna Foundation-a Rehabilitation Centre (started in memory of His Mother) in Mulki.
The greatest disease today is not Cancer, Coronavirus or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the World is a different kind of poverty — it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There’s a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God. Quoting Saint Mother Teresa, “If you judge people, you have no time to love them. Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”
MAHESH PATEL
And this is exactly what Mohammed Asif has been doing ever since the Mymuna Foundation was opened three years ago, and has been picking up Mentally Unsound people found on the streets, and taking them to the Rehabilitation Centre, give them a extreme-makeover ( bath, shave, hair cut etc), and then take them to the hospital as out-patients or admit them, if needed. And just recently in an exemplary act of humanity, Asif conducted the final rites of an elderly Hindu man, Venugopal Rao (62) of Moodbidri, who was in an orphanage since the last two years, as his family did not come forward to receive his body and conduct his cremation due to coronavirus scare.
Venugopal was longing to see his family members before his death. However, even after knowing that he was no more, his family members did not approach the authorities to receive his body and conduct the final rites as per Hindu tradition. Mohammed Asif, who is an ambulance driver, came to know about this matter. He took permission from the Mulky police station and along with his friends, conducted the final rites of Venugopal at the Hindu cremation ground as per Hindu tradition. And during this time of pandemic, we need people like Mohammed Asif, who would come forward and lend their service in whatever way they can. Asif, is indeed a Great ‘Covid-19 Warrior’!
Mohammed Asif who is known for giving shelter to people who are mentally challenged, his act of humanity is always lauded by one and all. And here we have yet another story of mentally unsound man rescued from the City street, since three years, and today being reunited with his dad, family members, relatives and friends- and credit goes to Mohammed Asif. Speaking to Team Mangalorean Mohammed Asif said, ” Mentally unsound Mahesh Patel, a origin of Rajasthan had gone missing from his home for the last 3-4 years. We heard that he got a job at the railway department in Rajasthan, but never joined the duty, instead went to his brother’s place in Mumbai, and from there he landed here in Mangaluru”
“For more than three years being in Mangaluru, Patel who is mentally unsound had been creating nuisance in the streets of Alake and Car Street by pelting stones and abusing the public, unfortunately no one was injured. Coming to know about this person, on 28 August 2020, me and my volunteers were able to meet him in Car Street, and from there we took him to our Mymuna Foundation Rehabilitation centre in Mulki. We gave him a bath, hair cut, shave, clothed him with nice clothes, and later took him to Yenepoya Hospital-Deralkatte for treatment, where he was there until today, and he is looking great and healthy” added Asif.
Mohammed Asif-Founder of Mymuna Foundation- a Rehabilitation Centre
Asif further said, “While he was at the hospital, he regained his senses, and was able to tell us about his family members in Rajasthan, and also gave us a phone number, and thus we were able to call his dad, who was totally in tears, but happy that his son is alive and found safe. Mahesh also spoke to his family members and informed them that he was safe and healthy in Mangaluru, under the care of Mymuna Foundation. His dad, brother and a family member were supposed to come today by flight, unfortunately, since tickets were not available, they had to travel by car- and will reach Mangaluru tonight. We are happy for Mahesh, that he will be reunited with his dad and family members once again, and start a new life. We are happy to see him in good shape, with a little bit of smile and happiness on his face. We feel blessed that we gave a person a new life”
Here in Mangaluru, one of Mahesh’s relatives, Jithendra Patel, and two other persons -Mularam Patel and Pancharama Patel, from Rajasthan who operate textile and utensils business in Mangaluru since years, were happy to see Mahesh Patel in a new avatar, completely different from what he was like on the streets of Mangaluru, especially in Car Street vicinity. Since the arrival of Mahesh’s dad would be late at night, it was decided to hand over the papers and Mahesh to Jithendra Patel in the presence of Bunder Police Station Inspector Govind Raju, and everyone cheered at the happy ending. Mahesh will later reunite with his dad, and travel back to Rajasthan.
Speaking on the occasion, Police Inspector Govind Raju said, “We have been getting complaints about Mahesh since three years, of him in half-naked creating nuisance to the public, especially in Car Street and Alake areas, and also pelting stones. Whenever we tried to get him, he would run away or become restless , and it was hard to control him. Our aim was to shift him to an orphanage or Ashram, and when we contacted Mohammed Asif, he was ready to do the needful, and on 28 August, Mahesh was taken to Mymuna Foundation, and I am happy to see Mahesh today, a all changed man, totally different from what he was a month ago. Great job by Asif and his team for giving Mahesh a new life”.
Indeed a great story of a man who got rehabilitated and is starting a new life. Thanks to Mohammed Asif and his team for making a difference in Mahesh’s life. The example of Asif should be followed by others also, to help those in need or suffering. We need to put a smile on other’s faces- Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile. It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.
Quoting Saint Mother Teresa, “I am not sure exactly what Heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’ rather He will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did? If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin”. Take the example of Mohammed Asif, and make him as your role model, helping those who are in desperate need of food, water, clothing, shelter, and medical treatment. Thank You!
