The inauguration was held on 26 March 2026 at Mallampalli in a dignified and meaningful manner. The centre, which functions under the Manasadhara Scheme of the Government of Karnataka and is run by Dr. A. V. Baliga Memorial Hospital under Dr. A. V. Baliga Charities and Kamal A. Baliga Charitable Trust, was formally rededicated as the LCIF Bhandhu Day Care Centre. The event began at 10.00 a.m. in the presence of Lions Club office-bearers, hospital directors, administrators, doctors, staff members, and members of the Day Care Centre.
The programme opened with a prayer by Kum. Shashirekha, followed by the handover of materials and the formal inauguration of the renovated facility. The meeting was inaugurated by PMJF Lion Sapna Suresh, District Governor of Lions International District 317C, and presided over by Dr. P. V. Bhandary, Director of Dr. A. V. Baliga Memorial Hospital. Distinguished guests, including MJF Lion Hanif Mohammed, MJF Lion Varun Shetty, MJF Lion Rajeev Kotyan, MJF Lion Dr. Nishanth Bhat, Lion Dr. H. Ganesh Pai, Mrs. Soujanya Shetty, Dr. Manas, Mr. Raghavendra, and Mrs. Jamila graced the occasion. The guests appreciated the purpose of the project and emphasised the need for strengthened rehabilitation services for persons with chronic mental illness.
An especially memorable part of the programme was the presentation of handcrafted gifts made by the members of the centre, reflecting their talent, skill, and rehabilitation progress. In his presidential address, Dr. P. V. Bhandary traced the service journey of the centre over the past decade and expressed gratitude to LCIF and Lions Club Manipal for their generous support. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs Jamila, and the event was compered by Mr. Vishweshwar Hegde.
Bhandhu Day Care Centre is not merely a care unit but a rehabilitation space dedicated to restoring dignity, confidence, and functional ability among persons with chronic mental illness. Established in 2016 and functioning under the Manasadhara Programme since 2017, the centre provides structured day-care rehabilitation with continuous clinical supervision, occupational therapy, yoga, and skill training.
Its activities include social skills training, communication development, life-skills education, and occupational rehabilitation aimed at improving daily functioning and social adjustment. Members are also engaged in gardening, craftwork, jewellery making, and cooking, which serve both therapeutic and vocational purposes.
Through these activities, the centre promotes self-reliance, emotional stability, community reintegration, and, wherever possible, income-generating ability. By combining medical care with psychosocial rehabilitation and skill development, Bhandhu stands as a meaningful model of holistic recovery and community mental health care.
