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.
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.
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.
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