Elderly Man Reunited with Family After 12 Days, Thanks to Kindness and Coordination Across States

Jharsuguda: In a heartwarming tale of compassion and swift coordination, an elderly man missing from Odisha’s Jharsuguda district for nearly 12 days was reunited with his family after unexpectedly turning up in a restaurant in Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh.

The incident unfolded on July 5, when a disoriented and frail elderly man appeared at a local restaurant in Alirajpur. Lost and speaking in an unfamiliar language, the man drew concern from the restaurant staff. Sensing the seriousness of the situation, the restaurant owner reached out to Govinda Gupta, a representative of Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Nagar Singh Chauhan.

With only a faded and blurry copy of the man’s Aadhaar card in hand, Govinda began the search for his identity. The Aadhaar details led him to Jharsuguda, Odisha, where local police confirmed that the man was Sib Lal, who had been reported missing by his family almost two weeks ago.

Moved by the situation, Govinda Gupta ensured the elderly man was admitted to a nearby hospital for care and recovery. In a touching moment, he also arranged a video call with Sib Lal’s daughter in Jharsuguda—both breaking down in tears upon seeing each other after days of uncertainty.

The efforts didn’t stop there. Govinda provided Sib Lal with clean clothes and food, and even SDM Tapish Pandey personally visited him, communicating with him in his native Odia to offer comfort and reassurance.

Finally, on July 8, Sib Lal’s sons-in-law arrived in Alirajpur. With eyes full of tears and hearts full of gratitude, they touched his feet and embraced him—bringing an emotional end to a nerve-wracking journey.

This inspiring story stands as a powerful reminder that even a single act of kindness, when met with coordinated efforts, can bridge hundreds of kilometers and reunite a lost soul with his family.