In an extraordinary turn of events, a 79-year-old man, long believed to be dead by his own family, made a poignant return to his hometown in Uttar Pradesh after a separation spanning nearly three decades. The incident unfolded in Khatauli, located in the Muzaffarnagar district.
A Journey Home After Decades
Sharif Ahmad, aged 79, stepped back into his native village on December 29. His unexpected arrival was driven by a practical need: to collect necessary documents for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, where he now resides. According to his nephew, Waseem Ahmad, Sharif had vanished from the family's life in 1997.
The disappearance occurred after the death of his first wife and his subsequent second marriage, which prompted his move to West Bengal. For years, his four daughters and extended family in Khatauli had no contact with him, leading them to the heartbreaking conclusion that he was no longer alive.
A Family's Frustrating Search
Waseem Ahmad revealed to PTI the family's relentless but futile efforts to locate Sharif over the years. "We tried to trace him over the years, even travelled to West Bengal and followed up the address provided by his second wife, but all attempts failed," he stated. The complete lack of communication for decades solidified their assumption of his demise.
The bureaucratic requirement for the electoral revision in West Bengal finally prompted Sharif to reconnect with his roots. His visit, however, came with a heavy dose of sorrow. During his time in Khatauli, he learned that several close family members, including his father and brother, had passed away during his long absence.
Joy Amidst Sorrow: The Emotional Reunion
Despite the sad news, Sharif's reappearance brought immense and overwhelming joy to his remaining family members. The reunion was charged with emotion, offering a bittersweet closure to years of uncertainty and grief.
"Seeing him after so many years was a deeply moving experience for all of us," expressed Waseem, capturing the family's sentiments. The man they had mourned as dead was standing before them, alive.
After a short but significant visit to his ancestral home, Sharif Ahmad returned to his current residence in the Medinipur district of West Bengal to complete the formalities related to the electoral roll revision. His return, though brief, rewrote a family narrative of loss into one of miraculous rediscovery.
