Return of the native

--Missing Athagada youth returns after 12 year

BHUBANESWAR: An Odia youth, who was missing for twelve years, has returned to his home with the help of Odisha State branch of Indian Red Cross Society. He was identified as Benudhar Pradhan, son of Narayan Pradhan of Bhagirathipur village under Athagada police station in Cuttack district.

The atmosphere of the Red Cross Bhavan was nostalgic as the family members of Benudhar were so happy in the return of their native. “It was unbelievable to me when I knew about my son’s whereabouts after 12 years as I had left all hopes to get my son,” said Benudhar’s mother Basanti Pradhan.

“We are extremely happy after getting our bother after a long time. We were in doubt whether he was alive or not, but god is great my bother returned to our home,” said Benudhar’s younger brother Nalu.

Benudhar had left his house at the age of eighteen. After seven years of roaming around hither and thither, one day he caught the Samjhauta Express train and entered Pakistan unknowingly, where he was arrested by Pakistan police. He spent five years in Lahore jail and when his jail term was about to complete, the Pakistan Government informed India for his release and he was handed over to the Red Cross branch of Amritsar on February 16 this year at the Wagha boarder.

Later, Amritsar branch of Red Cross informed to its Odisha branch about Benudhar and with the active support of the Red Cross Odisha branch, he was handed over to his family on March 22.

Family members of Benudhar expressed gratitude to the Indian Red Cross Society and neighbour Kurban Khan whose role was very significant in the process of bringing Benudhar back to the family.