Rashmi Rekha Das

Though it sounds strange, a woman returned to her family after 25 years of missing. Even her family members had done her last rites after failing to trace her for more than two decades. 

Going down the memory lane, Somabari had married to Jay Singh of Kandhenjhula village under Belpada block in Bolangir district 30 years back. She was later blessed with two baby boys Dina and Krpua. Somabari was diagnosed with a mental disease when her eldest son was barely eight and younger child was just five.

Though Singh took her to different doctors for her treatment, she did not show any sign of improvement and one day, suddenly went missing.

Despite searching for her frantically, Singh and his sons failed to trace Sombari. After waiting for years, Singh and his sons carried out the funeral rites of Sombari considering her dead. 

Meanwhile, an organisation named Shradha Foundation working for the cause of mentally impaired people and destitute traced Somabari six months back. The outfit came to know that Somabari is being treated at a Visakhapatnam-based hospital meant for mentally ill people. They brought Somabari to her villager following her recovery.

Singh and his two sons’ happiness knew no bounds when Somabari reached their home. They gave a warm welcome to Somabari. Apart from their relatives, villagers rushed to Singh’s house to see Somabari.  

Many of them were seen asking about her whereabouts for so many years. However, nobody understood what Somabari was trying to convey.

Somabari’s eldest son said, “I am 26-years-old now. I had last seen my mother when I was a toddler. I am really happy to find her alive after so many years.”

One of the outfit members Laxmipriya who rescued Somabari said, “We were shocked to find out that Somabari has her husband and two sons, daughter-in-laws and grandchildren. She could not stop her tears after finding all of them under one roof. The whole village in a celebration mood as Somabari got reunited with her family after a long gap of more than two decades.

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