Presumed Dead, Man Reunites With Sister After 25 Years; Know How It Happened

25 years ago, Himanshu Maharana left home after being chided by his family members for some good reasons. Upon not finding him anywhere despite making the best efforts, his family assumed him to be dead. Not just did they take him as dead but they also performed the ‘shradhh’ rites for him.

25 years on, the scene shifts. A cancer stricken Himanshu is united with his sister while struggling for life on a bed at the Acharya Harihara Regional Cancer Centre in Cuttack. Now, none but his sister is taking care of him since his parents have long been gone.  

It may sound like a story straight out of a Bollywood family drama, but it is the real life story of Himanshu.

A resident of the Silver City, Himanshu had left his home in 1996 after taking the words of his family members to heart.  “I went to Mumbai while searching for a job. One day I came across some persons who promised me a job in Videocon company. After having my dinner (provided by them), I went to sleep. The next morning, I woke up only to find myself in a ship. I spent 10 crucial years in sea, against my will,” shares Himanshu, sitting in a wheelchair with his sister Babita, who is still unmarried, standing nearby.

Back in Cuttack, his parents and sister had cursed them a lot. Before leaving for Mumbai, he had given a letter to a person, asking him to hand it over to his family. In the letter, he asked his father not to search for him. He was out to stand on his own feet.

“Had we not scolded him, he would have been with us, a support for us in our old days,” Babita quoted her parents as saying till they died in the grief of losing their only son. Their bodies turned frail, skin wizened. Yet they kept oscillating between hope and despair. The burden of the family fell on the unaccustomed shoulders of Babita, who took care of her parents. 

They breathed their last one after the other while waiting for Himanshu’s return. Babita had also lost hopes of meeting her brother ever again. Later, assuming him to be dead, Himanshu’s ‘shraddh’ rituals were performed as well.

“One day I came to know about my brother from a social activist that he was suffering from cancer and is undergoing treatment at Acharya Harihara Cancer Hospital,” said Babita. Without losing a moment, she rushed to the hospital and what she saw made her happy and sad as well. She was happy to find her brother alive after so many years, while his struggle for life made her sink in sadness.

Social worker Abhimanyu Das who united the siblings said. “I observed Hiamnshu for six/seven days and realised that the man was a victim of mental harassment. I kept helping him, and one day he confided before me and revealed his identity.”

All’s well that ends well. Let’s hope Himanshu comes triumphant in the battle against cancer and the brother-sister find smile back on their faces.

Presumed Dead, Man Reunites With Sister After 25 Years; Know How It Happened

25 years ago, Himanshu Maharana left home after being chided by his family members for some good reasons. Upon not finding him anywhere despite making the best efforts, his family assumed him to be dead. Not just did they take him as dead but they also performed the ‘shradhh’ rites for him.

25 years on, the scene shifts. A cancer stricken Himanshu is united with his sister while struggling for life on a bed at the Acharya Harihara Cancer Hospital in Cuttack. Now, none but his sister is taking care of him since his parents have long been gone.  

It may sound like a story straight out of a Bollywood family drama, but it is the real life story of Himanshu.

A resident of the Silver City, Himanshu had left his home in 1996 after taking the words of his family members to heart.  “I went to Mumbai while searching for a job. One day I came across some persons who promised me a job in Videocon company. After having my dinner (provided by them), I went to sleep. The next morning, I woke up only to find myself in a ship. I spent 10 crucial years in sea, against my will,” shares Himanshu, sitting in a wheelchair with his sister Babita, who is still unmarried, standing nearby.

Back in Cuttack, his parents and sister had cursed them a lot. Before leaving for Mumbai, he had given a letter to a person, asking him to hand it over to his family. In the letter, he asked his father not to search for him. He was out to stand on his own feet.

“Had we not scolded him, he would have been with us, a support for us in our old days,” Babita quoted her parents as saying till they died in the grief of losing their only son. Their bodies turned frail, skin wizened. Yet they kept oscillating between hope and despair. The burden of the family fell on the unaccustomed shoulders of Babita, who took care of her parents. 

They breathed their last one after the other while waiting for Himanshu’s return. Babita had also lost hopes of meeting her brother ever again. Later, assuming him to be dead, Himanshu’s ‘shraddh’ rituals were performed as well.

“One day I came to know about my brother from a social activist that he was suffering from cancer and is undergoing treatment at Acharya Harihara Cancer Hospital,” said Babita. Without losing a moment, she rushed to the hospital and what she saw made her happy and sad as well. She was happy to find her brother alive after so many years, while his struggle for life made her sink in sadness.

Social worker Abhimanyu Das who united the siblings said. “I observed Hiamnshu for six/seven days and realised that the man was a victim of mental harassment. I kept helping him, and one day he confided before me and revealed his identity.”

All’s well that ends well. Let’s hope Himanshu comes triumphant in the battle against cancer and the brother-sister find smile back on their faces.