Decades-Long Odyssey Ends in Emotional Border Reunion
In a heartwarming tale of human resilience and cross-border cooperation, a man from Odisha who had been lost in Bangladesh for over seventeen years was finally reunited with his family. The emotional reunion took place on Sunday at the Haridaspur border crossing near Bongaon, facilitated by a unique network of ham radio enthusiasts and the diplomatic missions of India and Bangladesh.
A Cry of "Jai Jagannath" Sparks a Clue
The man, identified as 41-year-old Sudam Hembram, was found wandering near the Golabari railway station in the Nachol police station area of Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh. For years, locals had seen him, a figure with long matted hair, an overgrown beard, and dressed in torn clothes, muttering to himself. The breakthrough came when his distinct pronunciation of the phrase "Jai Jagannath" was noticed.
This Odia accent caught the attention of Md Abdul Gani Fitu, the founder-president of the Manobik Shohayota Volunteer Team, a Bangladeshi group aiding people with psychological disabilities. Suspecting the man was from India's Odisha state, Fitu shared photographs and information with a network of ham radio operators.
The Ham Radio Network Springs into Action
The amateur radio community, including members of the West Bengal Radio Club (WBRC), launched a search. Their efforts bore fruit within days. By Wednesday, they had traced Sudam's home to Jagannathpur village in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha. A local shopkeeper recognized him from the photographs, leading the team to his relatives.
Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary of WBRC, explained the coordinated effort. "After Sudam spoke to his nephew via video call, we immediately contacted the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh and the Bangladesh High Commission in India. Their swift coordination was crucial in expediting his repatriation," Biswas stated.
Fitu recounted the challenging rescue. "For seven or eight years, I saw him around Golabari station. Previous rescue attempts failed as he would beat me and flee. Recently, I found him lying sick on the station premises and finally managed to bring him to safety," he said over the phone on Sunday.
A Family's Long Wait and Unanswered Questions
At the border, Sudam's nephew, Subhas Chandra Hembram, waited with family to bring his uncle home. "My uncle has been missing for over 17 years. He struggles with mental health issues. We searched endlessly but never imagined he was in another country. We still have no idea how he crossed into Bangladesh," Subhas shared, overwhelmed by the reunion.
The successful repatriation underscores the power of community networks and international diplomacy. It highlights how the dedication of volunteers like Fitu, coupled with the technical reach of ham radio operators and formal diplomatic channels, can solve human tragedies that span decades and borders. For Sudam Hembram's family, a seventeen-year nightmare has finally ended, bringing their lost relative back to Jagannathpur.
