Mandi District Administration Successfully Reunites Elderly Woman with Family from West Bengal.
Shimla:
In a heartwarming initiative, the Mandi district administration has successfully reunited an elderly woman with her family from West Bengal today after more than a year of residence at the Bhangrotu Old Age Home in the district. The emotional reunion took place under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Mandi Apoorv Devgan.
The woman, identified as Padma Murmu, had been living at the Bhangrotu Old Age Home since September 2023, after being relocated from a correctional home in Chalahka Lunapani. She was initially found in Bilaspur, and after being unable to identify her family, she was placed in the old age home.
In December 2024, Sub-Divisional Officer Balh Smritika Negi visited the old age home and met Padma, who appeared to be expressing concerns about her missing family. Through the assistance of a Bengali-speaking translator from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the administration was able to confirm that Padma was originally from Asanpur village in the Hooghly district of West Bengal. She had left her family years ago due to personal issues and had expressed a desire to return home.
The Mandi administration reached out to West Bengal authorities, who confirmed Padma’s identity. A team led by her nephew, Bablu Murmu, along with officials from the West Bengal Social Welfare Department, traveled to Mandi to bring her back home.
Expressing gratitude, Padma’s family thanked the Mandi district administration for their efforts in facilitating the reunion. Sunanda Chatterjee, a Social Welfare Supervisor from Hooghly, shared that Padma had been missing for years, and despite their best efforts, her family had been unable to locate her until now.
Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan congratulated the team for their successful coordination and efforts in reuniting Padma with her loved ones. He reaffirmed the district administration’s commitment to supporting the elderly and vulnerable populations.
As a mark of respect, the Deputy Commissioner honored Padma and her family, along with the visiting officials, by presenting them with traditional Himachali caps and scarves.
Also present at the event were Sub-Divisional Officer Mandi Omkant Thakur, Smritika Negi, District Welfare Officer Sameer, and officials from the old age home.
