STRANGER THAN FICTION

 

Story of a Missing Man 

 By Special Correspondent 

Sometimes reality appears as stranger than fiction in our life! This is a story of a missing person  rescued, rehabilitated and reunited with his family. The credit goes to the renowned NGO Udavum Karangal in Tamil Nadu.

As we all know that Udavum Karangal, a 40 year old non-profit NGO in Tamil Nadu, strives to help the underprivileged by giving them meaningful education, good health and to the destitute a dignity of life by rescuing, rehabilitating and reuniting he/she to their respective family. 

It was on March 22nd, 2025, Udavum Karangal’s Social Workers noticed a man wandering at Poonamallee high road. He appeared mentally disoriented with time, date and poor self care. He had injuries on both feet (foot ulcers).  Immediately the social workers of the NGO Mr. Jacob, Mr. Shankar, and Shanawaaz reached out to him and he agreed to come to their Home for further management. 

Upon his arrival, he was given sumptuous food followed by a haircut, shave, a bath and good clothes to wear. Later part of the day a thorough medical check-up was also conducted by a physician to assess his health and provide the necessary treatment. He was prescribed psychiatric medications and first aid dressing, antibiotics was also provided for his foot ulcers.

Dharmendar Singh Rajput at the time of rescue

Mr. Srinivasa Rao  a senior social worker of Udavum Karangal is an expert in reuniting patients with their family anywhere in India even abroad. After counseling they got his name as Dharmendar Singh Rajput and also his address  (Siregaon, Gadarwara taluk, Narsinghpur district, Madhya Pradesh- 487551). With the help of google, Mr.Srinivasa Rao contacted nearby shops in his village and found his sister. However, she was not willing to take care of him. A few days later, his cousin brothers Ankush Rajpoot and Prasanth Rajput contacted the social workers and agreed to take Dharmendar Home.

On March 29, his cousin brothers came to Shanthivanam Udavum Karangal Home at Thiruverkadu. Mr. Dharmendar Singh Rajput was reunited with his cousin brothers on the same day on March 29. It was a happy reunion. During this process, the social workers gathered information about his past. According to his cousins, he has parents but no siblings or children. He has been struggling with mental health issues for 10 years, especially after his wife died by suicide. He had previously received treatment in Gwalior and Bhopal.  There were also family property disputes, which may have been a reason for his sister’s lack of support. His cousins agreed to take care of him. At the time of restoration, one month's medicines were given free and his cousin brothers were advised to follow up with a psychiatrist in his hometown. His cousin brothers were happy to see him and thanked Mr. S. Vidyaakar Founder Secretary Udavum Karangal (NGO) for rescuing, rehabilitating and reuniting their beloved brother to them.

 “What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation." – Glenn Close.

Dharmendar Singh Rajput restored to his cousin brothers

Unauthorised Possession of Wildlife

 Sloth Bear Rescued, One Arrested at Sarenga Range, Bankura 

Today (22.02.25) at around  2 pm an adult male Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) has been rescued from Pithabakra mouza of Dubrajpur Beat under Sarenga Range. It is reported that  one Md. Raj Kalandar was moving at the village with the sloth bear for showing juggling. In a press release of DFO, Bankura South Division told that the Sloth Bear was in the custody and posession of Md. Raj Kalandar (Age:30 approx.),S/O-Late Israfil Kalandar of Vill-Daliyaee,P.O.- Bounsi, P.S. Bounsi, of district Banka, Bihar. The person has been arrested for violation of various provisions of Wildlife Protection Amendment Act, 2022. He will be produced before ACJM Court, Khatra tomorrow morning.

A perfect Holi Gift

Man wandering on the streets rescued and reunited to the family in MP after six months 

By a special correspondent from Chennai 

A man wandering on the streets rescued, rehabilitated and now reunited by UdavumKarangal, Chennai, with his family in Madhyapradesh after missing for 6 months.

Mr.Indal at the time of rescue     

It was on the morning of 10th January 2025  Social Workers of a reputed NGO Udavum Karangal of Chennai Mr. Jacob & Mr. Mohan while on their way back to Chennai saw a young person, aged around 28years, on the main road at Kalpakkam.  He was with unkempt hair, a red ribbon tied on to his head, dirtily dressed and talking to himself.  

He was convinced of good food and treatment and got admitted into UdavumKarangal’s Home, Thiruverkadu.   He was given a bath, provided clothes to wear and a sumptuous meal. Mr.Srinivasa Rao, a social worker while counselling him could get his name as Indal Singh Gujjar. He was referred to the Psychiatrist of the home and was diagnosed Schizophrenic & Nicotine dependence and was given medicines.  He was provided regular counselling to know his whereabouts. 

After regular counselling for about 2 weeks they found that he belonged to a village called Mehgaon, Bhind District of Madhyapradesh.  They sent information about him along with photo in Whatsapp to one of the phone numbers got from near his house.  One of the relatives in the village saw the photo and recognised Indal Singh and immediately informed the family.  The Cousin Brother of Indal Singh, Mr.Jeete immediately contacted Mr.Srinivasa Rao, Social Worker of UdavumKarangal and promised to come immediately. He informed his family members who jumped in joy and immediately came to Chennai to receive his Cousin Brother.  Since Mr.Jeete was a lorry driver coming towards Chennai, he came in his lorry and received Mr.Indal singh.

 Mr. Indal with Mr. Vidyaakar, Founder

Mr Jeete on arriving at UdavumKarangal on 23rd January confirmed that he was the same Indal singh who was missing for the past 6years. He gave some more details of Indal, that he had 4 brothers and 1 sister.  His parents are alive; Father- Bogiram and mother Mrs.Badami.   He studied only up to 5th. Std and had no job.  It was due to his friends who introduced him into taking drugs he almost became mentally ill at the age of 17.  One day when he was told that he will not be given money, he ran out of the house.  He was missing from July 2024 and they were frantically searching for him but could not find out his whereabouts for the past 6 months.

Indal Singh was restored on 23rd January  in the presence of the Founder Secretary of UdavumKarangal, Mr.Vidyaakar who gave them free medicines for a month and counselling for future treatment. Mr.Jeete his cousin brother thanked the team of social workers and the Founder for reuniting Mr. Indal Singh back to his family.

 Mr.Indal with his family after reaching Home 

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SURPRISE NEW YEAR GIFT FOR A FAMILY in AP

Man missing for 25 years reunited with family in Andhra Pradesh

From L to R –Mr. Vidyaakar, Founder Udavum Karangal, Mr. Petharaju- patient, Mr. Ramesh babu and Ganga Suresh- sons and  Mr. Srinivasa Rao, Social Worker.

By Special Correspondent: When the whole world was celebrating, the Social Workers of Udavum Karangal in order to keep the road side dwellers also happy on the eve of the New Year 2025, organised distribution of food packets with sweets on 1st Jan 2025.  While doing so, the Social Workers Mr. Jacob and Mr. Shawnawaz found an elderly man on the Redhills road shabbily dressed, starving and with a white beard.  He was alone and talking to himself.  When asked if he would come to Udavum Karangal for his stay and food he immediately agreed. 

Petharaju at the time of rescue

 

He was then rescued and admitted to the Home Shanthivanam, Thiruverkadu.  He was given a bath, provided clothes to wear and a sumptuous meal. Mr. Srinivasa Rao while counselling him could get his name as P.K.T. Petharaju. Immediately he  was referred to the Psychiatrist of the home and was diagnosed as having depression.  Prescribed medicines were given and as he was giving answers when asked about his whereabouts and family. 

Petharaju under rehabilitation

Mr.Srinivasa Rao, on further questioning Petharaju found that he was from a village called Elamanchali Lanka  of Palakollu Town, West Godavary District, Andhrapradesh.  On Google he could find a Shop (Nikhita Sound and Lighting) of the neighbouring village.  Immediately the family was contacted and his wife confirmed on seeing the photo on whatsapp.  The very next day i.e 02nd January 2025 both the sons of Petharaju, Mr. Ganga Suresh and Mr. Ramesh Babu rushed to Udavum Karangal to receive his father.  On seeing their father both his sons could identify with an old photo and on asking about his wife’s name, Petharaju immediately replied as Ananthalakshmi, confirming his identity.

Mr. Ganga Suresh S/o Petharaju, informed the NGO that his father was missing for the past 25 years, i.e. when he was 35 years of age.  He had three children, one girl and two boys.  His father was an Agriculturist and for some time he became mentally sick for reasons that could not be found.  He was loitering in the village for some time and one day he was missing.  They could not trace him after frantic searching by all their relatives.  He studied up to Intermediate and was married to Ms. Ananthalakshmi.  All his three children whom he left were below the age of 5 at the time of missing and now they are all married and he has 7 grand children.  

All the relatives of Petharaju are jumping in joy and are really surprised.  They couldn’t believe that a person lost 25 years back is now coming back to their house. Ganga Suresh came to UK’s home on 2 January and received him from the hands of Mr. Vidyaakar, Founder of Udavum Karangal.  

He was given free medicines for a month and counselling for future treatment. Mr. Ganga Suresh S/o Petharaju thanked the team of social workers and the Founder for reuniting him back to his family. 

Petharaju with his grandchildren 

  

Special Gift of Christmas

Man missing for Seven years reunited with his family in MP

By Special correspondent: It was on the morning of 21st December 2024 that our Social Worker while on their way back reuniting an elderly man to his family got to see a young person on the main road at Kalpakkam told Mr.Vidyaakar, the Founder Secretary of Udavum Karangal. He added that he was with unkempt hair, dirtily dressed and talking to himself. 

                     

 Ashok with Mr. Vidyaakar

Mr. Mohan, Mr. Jacob and Mr.Shanawaz,Social workers went to him and convinced to get admitted into Udavum Karangal’s Home.  As he agreed he was rescued and admitted to the Home Shantivanam, Thiruverkadu.  He was given a bath, provided clothes to wear and a sumptuous meal. The experienced social worker of the NGO Mr.Srinivasa Rao, while counselling him could get his name as Ashok Burman. He was referred to the Psychiatrist of the home and was diagnosed as having Schizophrenia.  He was provided medication and regular counselling to know his whereabouts. 

On 23rd December they found that he belonged to a village called Dhanedi Khurd Post, Binaika Tehsil, Maihar, Dhandari Khurd, Satna District (Binaika) of Madhyapradesh. Information was sent about him along with a photo in Whatsapp to one of the phone numbers they got from near his house.  One of the relatives in the village saw the photo and recognised Ashok and immediately informed the family.  Mr.Rajpal Burman the brother-in-law of Ashok, immediately contacted Mr.Srinivasa Rao, Social Worker of Udavum Karangal and promised to come immediately. He jumped in joy and immediately booked a flight to come to Chennai to receive his brother-in-law.  He also sent the Aadhar Card and FIR details supporting their claim.

Mr.Rajpal Burman on arriving at Udavum Karangal on 25th December confirmed that he was his brother in law and showed the FIR lodged for missing for the past 7years. He gave some more details of Ashok, that he had 2 brothers and 1 sister.  His parents are alive.  He studied only upto 8th Std. and had no job.  It was due to his friends who introduced him into taking drugs he almost became mentally ill.  One day when he was told that he will not be given money, he ran out of the house.  He was missing from 29-09-2017.  They were frantically searching for him but could not find out his whereabouts for the past 7 years. They thought he was almost dead.  

Mr. Ashok Burman was restored on 25th December 2024 in the presence of the Founder Secretary Udavum Karangal, Mr.Vidyaakar who gave them free medicines for a month and counselling for future treatment. Mr.Rajpal Burman brother-in-law of Ashok thanked the team of social workers and the Founder for reuniting him back to his family.             

From L to R – Mr. Mohan Social Worker, Mr. Jacob Social Worker, Mr. Vidyaakar, Founder Udavum Karangal, Mr. Ashok- patient, Mr. Rajpal- Brother in law of Ashok, Mr. Srinivasa Rao, Social Worker

News: Man missing for Five years from U.P. reunited with his family

Man missing for Five years reunited with his family

By Special Correspondent: 

3rd December of every year is celebrated as “The International Day of Persons with Disabilities” .  It is to  celebrate the abilities of people with disabilities and to promote their rights to equal opportunities, dignity, and well-being. It helps people to  understand disability issues and gain support to ensure that their rights to well-being, dignity and equal opportunities are practiced. Directorate for welfare of the Differently abled,  one of  the key  department of Government of Tamilnadu,  has been vociferous in safeguarding their rights and has introduced various welfare schemes to make sure that  the differently abled persons are in equal status to the other people. 

Udavum Karangal has also been serving the differently abled for the last 40 years by ensuring that the mentally ill on the streets are rescued, rehabilitated and reunited with their families. In these lines  recently  a rehabilitated mentally ill person was reunited with his family to Uttarpradesh after 5 years of missing. 

On 17th Jan 2020, Mr.Vidyaakar, Founder of Udavum Karangal  received a call from a well wisher saying that a man wandering on the main road near Puzhuthiwalkam Main Road for the past two weeks and  needs help. 

Mr. Mohan a  Social worker of that NGO rescued him  and admitted him to their Home Shanthivanam.  He was given  a bath, provided clothes to wear and provided a sumptuous lunch. Their experienced social worker Mr. Srinivasa Rao while counselling him could get his name  as Rizwan Khan. Constant monitoring was done as the patient was non-cooperative, with aggressive attitude and not mingling with others. He is an epileptic patient too. He was handicapped in his right hand and could not use it.

The NGO spokesman said that "we sent  information about him along with photo in facebook but there was no feedback. When a new patient arrives we  register them for  Aadhar card though they may be  mentally ill patients.  So we had one day taken Rizwan  to E Sevai Maiyam at Thiruverkadu and his application was rejected.    But when his fingers were placed on the bio-metric  his details like name and address appeared in the monitor .  We could get the original Aadhar from the computer from where we could get many a details.   His village was Araji,  Thuthibari Panchayat, Maharajganj District, Uttarpradesh. Based on which we found a phone number  of Mr. Kyamuddin Ansari who is having a lodge in that place." When they told him about Rizwan he immediately shared the number of his brother Mr. Sulaiman who was at Ahmadabad.  The NGO personal also made a video call to his brother on 28th Nov and he confirmed that he was his elder brother and was missing for the past 5 years. He jumped in joy and  immediately booked a flight to come to Chennai to receive his brother.    

Mr. Sulaiman , the brother of the patient came to Udavum Karangal on 29 November and met his brother Rizwan Khan. That was a tearful reunion. On arriving at UdavumKarangal’s Home at Thiruverkadu, Sulaiman  gave complete details about the family and the missing of his brother for the past  5 years.

“Rizwan was the eldest son of Mr. Kuresh and Mrs. Nasimum.  He had 5 siblings i.e.  4 sisters and a brother ( Mr. Sulaiman).  He is not educated and was not working as well. His parents got him married to a girl from a nearby village in April 2019.  He had mental illness from his childhood and was under psychiatric treatment in a local hospital .  One day on 22 October 2019, he went missing from his house and could not be traced till date.  They had lodged a FIR with Thuthibari Panchayat Police Station for missing of Rizwan.  On missing of Rizwan his wife went away to her parents place and has also got herself married.  

Mr.Rizwan Khan  was restored on 29th November  2024 in the presence of the Founder Secretary UdavumKarangal, Mr.Vidyaakar who gave them free medicines for a month and counselling for future treatment.  Mr. Sulaiman, brother of Rizwan thanked the team of social workers and the Founder for reuniting him back to his family. 

Today's Poem: Opulent Tapestry of Bengal by Surmi Pathak

OPULENT TAPESTRY OF BENGAL

 Surmi Pathak 

Amidst the verdant embrace of East,

A collage of art and culture unfolds with grace. 

Gentle flow of the Ganges, a timeless feast, 

Nourishing the soul with its serene pace.

Vibrant hues of Kantha embroidery adorn, 

Through Patachitra flows the tales of the past. 

Where beats of Baul and Tusu belong,

 Echoes the rhythms that forever last.

From the terracotta temples of Bishnupur,

To the galleries of Shantiniketan's halls.

West Bengal's montage: timeless allure,

Whoever visits, for sure, in love he falls.