Ehsaas, the girl widely known as India's 'Mowgli girl' after she was discovered wandering alone in the forests of Uttar Pradesh in 2017, died on June 15 at the age of 18. Officials confirmed that she passed away at the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow. According to the post-mortem report, the cause of death was septicaemia resulting from a lung disease.
Discovery in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary
Ehsaas first came to public attention in January 2017 when she was spotted wandering on a road in the Motipur range of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Bahraich district. Rescuers were startled by her condition: she moved on all fours, avoided people, refused to wear clothes, and communicated only through screams and gestures, suggesting very limited contact with human society. The circumstances of her discovery drew comparisons with Rudyard Kipling's fictional character Mowgli, leading to her nationwide nickname. Initially named Pooja by the Child Welfare Committee in Bahraich, she was later renamed Ehsaas and transferred to the Nirvan Rajkiya Bal Grih Visheshikrit on Mohan Road in Lucknow, where she received specialized care for most of her life.
Years of Rehabilitation and Care
According to Suresh Singh Dhapola, chairman of the Nirvan Foundation, Ehsaas underwent years of medical treatment and support to help her adapt to human society. Over time, she learned to wear clothes, recognize caregivers, and respond to affection. Among those closest to her was caretaker Rani, whom Ehsaas called 'Amma'. 'She used to call me Amma. I always hoped she would recover further. Now, all we have are her memories,' Rani said. Despite her progress, doctors found that her brain remained severely underdeveloped, leaving her with intellectual disabilities. She also suffered from recurrent epileptic seizures and required ongoing treatment for years.
Final Illness and Death
Her health deteriorated earlier this month when she fell ill and was admitted to a hospital on June 8. She was discharged on June 11 after showing signs of improvement, but her condition worsened again on June 15. According to Anindiya Vikram Singh, ACP of Ghazipur, she was rushed back to the hospital but died shortly after arrival. The police completed inquest proceedings following the hospital's death memo. For many Indians, Ehsaas remained the mysterious child discovered in a forest in 2017. For those who cared for her, she was far more than the nickname that followed her throughout her life. Her journey reflected the difficulties of rehabilitation after an extraordinary beginning, as well as the bonds of care that helped her navigate a world she once seemed unable to understand.
