Digapahandi: A 70-year-old woman who went missing from Bhubaneswar five years ago has finally returned home after her grandson recognised her during a live television broadcast from an old-age home in the city.
Indu Bisoyi, a native of Naliha village under Kukudakhandi block, was reunited with her family Friday when her middle son, Upendra Bisoyi, brought her home to Baramunduli village under Patiguda panchayat in Sanakhemundi block of Ganjam district.
Indu had been living with Upendra and his wife, Urmila, at Ganapati Nagar in Nayapalli’s Labour Colony, where Upendra worked as a daily wage labourer. Her eldest and youngest sons had died, following which she had developed some mental health issues and was staying with Upendra.
About five years ago, Upendra left for Mumbai as a migrant worker, leaving his mother in Urmila’s care. One day, Urmila left Indu and her 12-year-old son, Bikram, at home and went to Baramunduli to collect ration rice. In the meanwhile, Indu went to a nearby ration shop to buy some items but did not return.
Bikram searched the neighbourhood but could not find her. After Urmila returned, she learnt about the disappearance from Bikram and informed Upendra. He returned from Mumbai and searched different neighbourhoods and slums across Bhubaneswar for a long time, but without success.
The breakthrough came a few days ago when a private television channel was conducting a live broadcast from an old-age home in Bhubaneswar. Bikram, now 17, recognised his grandmother on the programme and informed his parents.
The family obtained the address of the old-age home and reached there. After informing its manager about their relationship with Indu, they brought her home. Indu said she had gone to the shop in the evening on the day she went missing but could not find her way home.
She sat by the roadside and cried. A police officer from Nayapalli police station approached her, but she could not provide her name or address. The officer later took her to the old-age home, she said. Indu’s return has brought immense happiness to her family after five years of uncertainty and searching.