Mangaluru: Various social organisations in Yekkur joined hands to organize a de-addiction camp on Sunday. The event called out people to give up consumption of alcohol. They also celebrated bithdays of around 60 senior citizens.

The camp was the brainchild of Jayaprakash Yekkur, a laundry owner, who decided to do something to end alcohol abuse in his area. After he shared his thoughts with his friends, Ayyappa Bhajana Mandali, Hindu Yuvasena, Om Shakti Hindu Yuvasena, Nandadeepa Mahila Mandali and people of Yekkur came together to organize the camp.

Author B M Rohini and film director Vijay Kumar Kodialbail inaugurated the camp in the presence of Ekaghamyananda Swamiji of Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru, Dayadeepananda Swamiji of Ramakrishna Mutt, Haridwar; Tejaswini B Acharya, head of Nandadeepa Mahila Bhajana Mandali and Yashoda Layila, a social worker.

Ekaghamyananda Swamiji said the idea behind the programme is thoughtful. “Such programmes prevent people from taking the wrong path. Addiction not only harms the person, but also destroys his entire family.

Hence, awareness should be created,” he said. “If a person wants to get away from alcoholism, his family must ensure him complete support. If people are mentally strong, they can give up on any addiction,” said Kodialbail.