Kasaragod: Akthar Ansari was roaming like a nomad on the beaches of Trasi near Gangolli, six months ago. Disturbed by his plight, Ibrahim, a social worker contacted “Snehalaya”,a rehabilitation centre in Pavoor near Manjeshwar and requested to accommodate Akhtar.
Ibrahim got him admitted at the centre headed by Joseph Crasta. Akhtar was in no position to recollect anything on his own, except his real name.

Forty five-year-old Akhtar, a resident of Ganeshpur in Bihar was given adequate care and treatment by the centre for over six months. Akhtar showed remarkable improvement in his mental health, mainly due to love and care he received at the centre.

Joseph Crasta in the meantime, contacted Muzzafarpur parish priest, Fr.David Elias, a native of Mangaluru and sought his help in tracing Akthar’s family. Fr. David Elias succeeded in finding his family members and asked them to reach Snehalaya to get back the “lost member” of the family.

Akhtar’s father Kamal Ansari, brother Javed and relative Iman Hussain reached Snehalaya to take back Akhtar. The moment he saw his family members, Akhtar’s joy had no bounds, and the smile on his face revealed it all.

It is learnt that Akhtar is married and has three children. He has three brothers and equal number of sisters too. The love and support offered by Snehalaya has given a new lease of life to Akthar and more to his family members who were trying to find him, since September 2014.