Kantapada: A 111-year-old man reunited with his family after 80 long years here in Nayagarh district Sunday.
The happiness of the man’s family members, who once presumed he was dead, knew no bounds on his arrival.
According to sources, the man Paramanand originally hailed from Basudevpur village under Balianta police limits. He shifted to Kandapara with his elder brother after the latter got married and settled there.
At a young age, Parama left his family and went to Maharashtra in search of work. Initially, he was in touch with them through letters and phone calls, which stopped a few years later.
He worked at a farmhouse in Gevroi village under Beed district in Maharashtra. Later, he lost all contacts with his family. Meanwhile, Parama’s elder brother died, following which the family presumed Parama was dead.
An NGO rescued him from a temple at Kengani village in Ahmednagar district. He was begging alms in the temple for the last 40 years. He survived on whatever devotees offered him out of sympathy.
“He would feed the birds in the temple before he ate his meals,” the NGO members said.
On learning of his plights, the NGO activists approached him and sought to know his last wish. Parama expressed his desire to return to his village.
With the help of the NGO, Parama reached Khandapada from where they approached the local police station for help. Later, the police helped Parama reach his village and meet his kin. By now, his brother and sister-in-law were dead while his nephews and niece were in their old ages.
Locals were astounded to know about Parama’s memory power even at such old age. His niece and nephews gave him a grand welcome. His relatives also recognised him and thanked the NGO for their support.
Hundreds of locals thronged the house to catch a glimpse of the elderly man. PNN