Mute Elderly Woman Found Near Howrah Station, Set to Return Home to UP After Two Months
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Synopsis
An elderly mute woman was rescued from Howrah railway station and reunited with her family in Uttar Pradesh after two months. Thanks to the efforts of amateur radio operators, her home was traced quickly. She had been missing since the Gangasagar Mela, highlighting the importance of community and communication in reunification efforts.
Key Takeaways
- The woman was rescued from Howrah railway station.
- Her home was located in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.
- She is known as 'Gungi' and is respected in her community.
- The WBRC played a critical role in her reunion.
- Amateur radio operators assist in tracing missing individuals.
Kolkata, March 20 (NationPress) An elderly and mute woman was rescued by the police from outside the Howrah railway station on Thursday morning, as confirmed by an official.
Thanks to the efforts of amateur radio operators, her home was located in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh within just a few hours.
"The woman, who is over 80 years old, was taken to the nearby Golabari police station. Sudip Singha, the officer-in-charge, noticed her ill health and arranged for her admission to the Howrah district hospital. It was quite challenging since she could not communicate," stated Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary of the West Bengal Radio Club (WBRC).
Nag Biswas' team circulated her photograph nationwide through the extensive network of HAM enthusiasts.
Within hours, it became known that she resided in the Bairia Nagar Panchayat of Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh.
"We promptly contacted the local administration there. We soon discovered that her real name was unknown; she is simply referred to as 'Gungi.' However, she is well-respected in Bairia for her generous donations to the local Hanumanji Temple after her husband's passing. She primarily lives at the temple," Nag Biswas added.
It was revealed that the woman had traveled to the Gangasagar Mela, which takes place in West Bengal every January, with a large group from Bairia. During the return train journey, it became apparent that she was missing.
In the past two months, at least two teams had traveled from Ballia to West Bengal in search of her, but they returned without success.
"On Thursday, we showed her a photograph of the temple in Bairia, which made her emotional. It was clear she recognized it. The district magistrate of Ballia, Praveen Kumar Laxkar, directed the Bairia police to ensure her safe return," Nag Biswas stated.
The WBRC, an organization of amateur radio enthusiasts, goes beyond mere communication across the globe with their two-way radio kits.
Since 1991, the organization has played a crucial role during natural disasters by establishing an alternative communication method when standard systems fail. Later, the WBRC expanded its mission to reunite individuals—especially those with mental challenges—with their families.
Eventually, the government recognized their efforts and officially engaged them to maintain alternative communication during events like the Gangasagar Mela and in times of natural disasters.
Authorities also rely on their expertise to trace the families of mentally-challenged individuals found on the streets.
The WBRC has successfully reunited hundreds of individuals with their families in recent years, with some returning home after decades.
Today, the organization is widely recognized in West Bengal and has been featured in research discussing the significant role of amateur radio in disaster relief.
