Udupi: New Lease of Life: Shunned by Society, Man Finds Home in Vishwasada Mane

Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Jan 24: Manjunath Kulal, a vagabond who was in a miserable state and who was neglected by his family as well as public, has now found a new lease of life, thanks to Vishwasada Mane of Shankerapura.

Those who had seen him earlier in Nittoor back in September 2011 could not believe their eyes, when he made an appearance at a press meet here on Monday January 23.

Kulal, who earlier had a nomadic look with dishevelled hair and beard, mumbling nonsensical utterings and giving rise to complaints from public, is now a completely changed man. Not only is he well-groomed and all smiles, but also in good health, delivered from his psychological problems.

Complete Transformation: Manjunath Kulal, before and after

Kulal's new journey began when a mediaperson spotted Kulal and approached pastor Sunil D'Souza of Vishwasada Mane with his case. The pastor with his team took the task of rehabilitating Kulal, and brought him to their centre. He was treated with care and much attention, which helped him come out of his sorrow. In just four months, Kulal is back to normal, having found his true self and leading a much better life.

Kulal, who hails from Kumbhashi Vakwady here, went into depression following his mother's death. Differences with his brothers further aggravated the situation and left to Bangalore where he worked in a hotel. However, he does not remember how he came back to Udupi. Having found a new home in Vishwasada Mane, where he had been cooking for the inmates, he wants to continue his service there.

He is married and has five children, and plans to meet his family on Tuesday January 24, assisted by those who take care of him at Vishwasada Mane. Kulal is sure that in his new-found identity, he would be accepted into the family again.

Pastor Sunil said that Vishwasada Mane has till date rehabilitated almost 100 persons like Kulal, including those from other states. Though the government offers no funds, the centre has come to be known for its rehabilitation work, with even officials contacting them with cases of shelterless people, he said.