Visakhapatnam: A 75-year-old woman named Geeta Biswas has been reunited with her son and daughter-in-law in a village in Cooch Behar district, West Bengal, after 35 years of separation. The reunion was made possible by the Association for Urban and Tribal Development (AUTD), an organization that works for homeless people, and the Shraddha Rehabilitation Foundation.
Background of the Separation
According to Pragada Vasu, secretary of AUTD, Geeta had two sons and two daughters. Her mental health began to deteriorate after her younger son passed away at the age of 11. When she was around 40 years old, Geeta left her home and went missing. Over the subsequent decades, her children grew up without their mother's love, and the family was torn apart.
Rescue and Treatment
In December 2025, AUTD staff rescued Geeta near the Visakhapatnam railway station and admitted her to the women's shelter home located in the TSR complex in Visakhapatnam. She underwent treatment for several months through the Shraddha Rehabilitation Foundation and gradually recovered her health. After her recovery, she was taken from Visakhapatnam to her native village in West Bengal, where her son and daughter-in-law warmly received her at Howrah railway station.
“When Geeta asked about her husband, who had passed away two years ago, the family broke down in tears. Her relatives thanked AUTD and the Shraddha Rehabilitation Foundation for reuniting them with a mother they had long believed to be dead,” added Vasu.
Broader Impact of the Organizations
Over the past few years, AUTD and Shraddha have rescued, treated, and reunited more than 100 mentally ill and destitute persons with their families. Many of these individuals were found wandering near bus stands and railway stations in Visakhapatnam and were later admitted to government hospitals for mental healthcare. The rescued individuals belonged to 15 states across the country, with some being reunited with their families after 20 to 30 years.
This heartwarming reunion highlights the dedicated efforts of these organizations in restoring families and providing a second chance at life for those who have been lost and forgotten.
