Maharashtra: NGO Helps Elderly Man Reunite With Family After 20 Years In Sangli

Tukaram Shinde, 60, who went missing nearly 20 years ago, was reunited with his family earlier this month. Tukaram, who was receiving treatment at a Miraj-based hospital for mental illness, disappeared without leaving any trail behind him. A police complaint was filed by the family after he went missing, but he couldn't be found despite search efforts.

Even after decades passed, Shinde's wife, Latika, remained hopeful. Her hope turned into reality on Feb 2, when Karjat-based Shraddha Rehabilitation Foundation, founded by Magsaysay award winner Bharat Vatwani, facilitated the reunion.

According to reports, a social worker associated with the NGO saw Shinde at an ashram in Nepal. He was brought to Mumbai and after receiving treatment for a month, he recalled the name of his village.

Ajay Ransure, a social worker at the NGO, told English daily TOI that to date the NGO has rehabilitated over 10,000 poor people. "During our visit to the Manav Seva ashram in Nepal, we found Tukaram Shinde and brought him back to Mumbai for treatment. After a month-long treatment, he started remembering things and told us about his family and village. Then we decided to reunite him with his family," TOI quoted Ajay Ransure as saying.

The NGO has provided Shinde with two months' medicine and afterward the required medicines will be delivered through post.

Shinde had been in the Nepalese ashram since April 2019, according to the records accessed by Ransure. Shinde and his wife have one son who lives in another village.