Kendrapada: A 45-year-old man from Jagatsinghpur district, who had left home in 2005 following a domestic dispute, was reunited with his family after 21 years, thanks to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) for electoral rolls.Lingaraj Pradhan, a native of Singara village in Jagatsinghpur district, returned home on Tuesday following efforts by BLOs engaged in the SIR process.According to family members, Lingaraj had married a woman against his parents’ wishes in 2005. Following opposition from his family, he left the village with his wife and cut off all ties with his parents and relatives. Since then, he had been living in Mulabasanta village, working as a mason and staying in a rented house and had never tried to contact his parents.During the SIR process at Mulabasanta village in Cuttack district, BLO Jagannath Behera knocked on Lingaraj’s door and learnt he was the son of Jayaram Pradhan of Singara village. Following protocol, the BLO contacted Anupama Swain, the BLO of booth 15 under Balikuda block, to verify his original address.Anupama subsequently visited Singara village and met Lingaraj’s widowed mother, Gouri Pradhan, and his sister Sulochana. It was then that the family came to know about Lingaraj’s whereabouts after more than two decades.His mother and sister rushed to Mulabasanta on Tuesday and brought back Lingaraj, his wife and their 17-year-old son.The reunion turned emotional as Lingaraj embraced his mother and other family members, breaking down in tears. For over 21 years, the family had no information about him and did not know whether he was alive.“The happiest moment of my life was when I embraced my son, daughter-in-law and grandson after 21 years. I had always prayed for his safe return, and my prayers have finally been answered,” said Gouri.Lingaraj, however, was saddened to learn that his father, Jayaram Pradhan, and several close relatives had passed away during his absence.“In 2005, I left the village after my parents opposed my marriage. It was a mistake on my part to cut off all ties with my family. I regret it now,” said Lingaraj.Expressing happiness over the reunion, he said he has now decided to stay in the village with his mother and other family members.
Lingaraj with his mother and sister following the reunion
