Indian Woman Found in Bangladesh After 20 Years: A Remarkable Reunion Story

The woman went missing during her pilgrimage to Gangasagar. (Representative)

A remarkable reunion story has emerged as a woman from Madhya Pradesh, who disappeared during the Gangasagar Mela in West Bengal approximately 20 years ago, has been located in Bangladesh. Efforts are currently in progress to facilitate her return to India and reunite her with her family members.

This extraordinary reunion was made possible through the dedication of amateur radio operators from the West Bengal Radio Club (WBRC), who routinely help reconnect missing individuals with their families using their extensive network.

"Our associates in Bangladesh informed us about a woman named Radhika, approximately 70 years old, who was discovered begging on the streets. When questioned about her husband's name, she remained silent. The only word she uttered was 'Sagar'. We initially investigated if anyone matching her description had vanished from Sagar Island at the southernmost tip of West Bengal. After confirming she wasn't from the island, we expanded our search," explained Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary of WBRC.

The HAM radio operators then began investigating locations in India named Sagar. Eventually, they received information about a woman from Khajra village in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district who had disappeared during her pilgrimage to Gangasagar.

"The woman had traveled to Gangasagar with fellow pilgrims. She somehow got separated and joined another group from Bangladesh. During that time, pilgrims from Bangladesh would secretly travel to Sagar Island by trawlers. Radhika apparently boarded one of these trawlers and reached Bangladesh. Unable to support herself, she resorted to begging," Nag Biswas recounted.

When Radhika went missing, she had a husband named Baliram and three sons. Since then, her husband and one son, Puran, have passed away. Her other sons, Rajesh and Ganesh, currently work and reside in Delhi.

"When we received Radhika's recent photographs, there was no resemblance to her earlier appearance. She had not only aged but her face and body were covered with dust and grime after spending decades on the streets. We arranged for her to visit a parlor, where they cleaned her up and provided new clothes. Her son Rajesh immediately recognized her when we sent him the photographs after her parlor visit," said Nag Biswas.

Both Rajesh, his brother, and villagers in Madhya Pradesh are astonished by this miracle and eagerly await her return.

"My mother went on a pilgrimage, but her return will be nothing short of a pilgrimage for me. I will see God in her," Rajesh expressed emotionally.

The WBRC has notified officials of the Gangasagar Mela, who have promised all possible assistance. The Bangladesh High Commission has also been informed, as has the Ministry of External Affairs, which has pledged complete support.

It appears that Radhika will soon be reunited with her family after two decades of separation.