Nagpur: Kavita’s life with four small children and a liquor-addict husband inside a giant concrete pipe under a bridge in Mumbai’s Bandra had turned turbulent, before she landed at Regional Mental Hospital in Nagpur, where she was finally reunited after a decade with her eldest daughter on Monday. In an emotional moment, Kavita (name changed), who battled severe mental illness for years, was handed over to her now 23-year-old daughter in a touching ceremony at the hospital, marking an arduous journey filled with trauma and undying hope. The family’s struggle began in extreme poverty in Bandra, where Kavita, her husband, who lost a leg in an accident, and their four children (two sons and two daughters) survived by begging. Kavita’s mental health deteriorated amid harsh conditions and her husband’s alcohol dependency. In November 2014, police and Childline authorities rescued the family from the streets and relocated them to Nagpur. On November 25, 2014, Kavita was admitted in a highly distressed state to a govt shelter home for women, while her children were placed in an orphanage here.Kavita was then shifted to Regional Mental Hospital (RMH) as she was repeatedly becoming agitated and emotional. Initial attempts to locate her family were hampered by vague details — she mentioned leaving her village 25-26 years earlier and ending up in Mumbai — but no solid leads emerged.Kavita’s eldest daughter, now 23, received education and vocational training at a govt shelter home and was employed at a tiger resort in a reserved forest in Madhya Pradesh. Her second son was pursuing ITI training at a children’s home in Mumbai, while the two youngest children had been legally placed for adoption.Dr Pankaj Bagde with the RMH did not give up on Kavita. With medication and counselling, her condition gradually improved. During therapy sessions, she revealed her children had been placed in an orphanage. Social service superintendent Kunda Katekhaye Bidkar pursued this lead with determination, contacting Usha Salkar at Priyadarshini and then reaching out to Shraddhanand Anath Ashram.In March last year, the mental health review board declared Kavita ‘fit for rehabilitation’.Bidkar facilitated the first video calls in over a decade, leading to tears of joy and regular conversations that slowly rebuilt their bond. Months later, the daughter visited RMH, followed by the son’s return to Nagpur.The daughter expressed her wish to take her mother home but was concerned about her job. Bidkar contacted the resort director, explaining Kavita’s history, her current stability, and her need for family life. The director not only approved but offered Kavita employment at the resort. With support from child welfare committee chairperson Chhaya Gurav, arrangements were completed. Recently, the daughter called to confirm she was coming to take her mother.On Monday, after finalizing all procedures, Kavita was reunited with her daughter in an emotional ceremony. The event was attended by senior psychiatrist Dr Ashish Kuthe, Bidkar Katekhaye, Day Care Centre staff, and others. Key contributors included medical superintendent Dr Satish Humne, deputy medical superintendent Dr Mohbe, Dr Pankaj Bagde, and staff from Priyadarshini, Shraddhanand Anath Ashram, and Mumbai children’s home.Dr Humne said, “Mental illness is treatable. With proper treatment, counseling, and family support, patients can rebuild their lives.”
