A tryst with destiny: Bihar man returns home after being lost for 22 years

His journey for a better livelihood ended up being a 22-year-long struggle with hunger and mental health issues as wandered from one place to another in Haryana with very little hope of seeing his family again. But destiny had a different plan for Bihar's Ramakant Jha

Karnal: What started as a search for employment to ensure better a life for his family, ended up being a 22-year-long wait to reunite with them. In those 22 years, he lost the opportunity to see his son grow up. Unaware that his wife has been waiting for him every single day, he kept wandering from one place to another in Haryana, with almost no hope of seeing his family again as he has lost his memory by then and failed to recall his identity. But destiny had a different plan for him.

This is the story of Ramakant Jha of Bihar. Twenty-two years ago he left his home in Bichhauli village of Darbhanga district of Bihar leaving behind his three-year-old son and wife and boarded a train for Haryana. Little did he know that his search for a better life would leave him homeless and suffering from severe mental health issues.

He got down at Ambala station to get some water but by the time he returned, the train has already left. Ramakant was left stranded in a bustling city like Ambala clueless as to how he would find his way home amid the sea of humanity around him. Exhaustion, hunger, and the trauma of getting lost started taking a toll on his mental health.

His family members started to frantically search for him and also lodged a missing complaint in Darbhanga but nothing came out. Despite the setback, Ramakant's wife and son did not lose hope and kept waiting for his return for 22 years.

But one day, Rajkumar Arora, director of Karnal's social organization Ashiana suddenly spotted a man near Karnal Sugar Mill about two months ago. He was aware of Ramakant's disappearance and became suspicious after seeing a man sitting on the roadside in a disoriented condition.

Upon taking a closer look, Rajjkumar found it was none other than Ramakant. Locals told him that he has been sitting there for months. If somebody gave him food then he eat. Otherwise, stayed hungry.

Rajkumar took Ramakant with him. Provided him with food and medical treatment. After about two months Ramakant finally remembered his identity and was reunited with his wife and son on Wednesday. By then the three-year-old toddler has become a 22-year-old youth, a UPSC aspirant and he was unable to hold back his tears after coming to receive him from Karnak. Ramakant finally returned home which he had left over two decades ago.