Kolkata:

Cyclonic storm Remal, which ravaged elements of India and Bangladesh lately, got here as a blessing in disguise for at the least one household. A person, presumed useless by his household in Bangladesh practically 4 years in the past, was traced to Namkhana in West Bengal’s South 24-Parganas district in the course of the evacuation of individuals from riverine and coastal areas to cyclone shelters additional inland.

Anup Sasmal, a civil defence volunteer from the district, was concerned within the evacuation course of hours earlier than Remal made landfall when he noticed a person on the Sasmal Bandh space of Namkhana. Regardless of the inclement climate, the person sat subsequent to the embankment. On approaching him, Mr Sasmal realised that the person was affected by some type of psychological sickness.

He may neither present a reputation nor an tackle however murmured one thing about fish and Bangladesh.

Mr Sasmal in some way coaxed the person into accompanying him to a cyclone shelter. On the shelter, names and addresses of occupants needed to be jotted down in a register and an exception needed to be made within the man’s case. After the worst was over, he was put up at a roadside authorities relaxation home underneath Mr Sasmal’s safety.

Lastly, Mr Sasmal positioned a name to the West Bengal Radio Membership (WBRC), an organisation of newbie radio operators recognized for his or her acumen in reuniting such individuals with their households.

By the way, the WBRC had been requested by the South 24-Parganas district administration to ship a crew to Sagar Island forward of Remal’s landfall to keep up communication hyperlinks in case different modes failed.

“We obtained Mr Sasmal’s name and tried to talk to the person. He was incoherent. Nonetheless, two issues have been clear. He was a resident of Bangladesh and had one thing to do with the fish commerce or fishing. We instantly activated our pals (additionally newbie radio operators) in Bangladesh. It did not take them lengthy to hint a household within the Dolkha village of Nangolkote within the Comilla district of Bangladesh whose lacking son matched the outline,” stated Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary, WBRC.

“Officers on the Nangalkote police station have been extraordinarily cooperative. It was ascertained that the unidentified man was Md Milan, son of 1 Rustom Ali, from that village,” Mr Biswas added.

Mr Milan left behind his spouse Fancy, a son and a daughter when he went lacking practically 4 years in the past. The youngsters are actually 9 and 16 years previous. The entire household broke down when WBRC members related them by way of a video name with Mr Milan.

It seems that Mr Milan was a fish dealer and had left dwelling to purchase contemporary provides earlier than he went lacking. He had been carrying numerous money and it was presumed that he had been looted and murdered by criminals. How he reached Namkhana in West Bengal stays a thriller.

“It was a touching second when the household noticed Mr Milan on their cell display. His spouse and cousin have been weeping and his son, who should have been round 5 years previous when he disappeared, recalled how his father had promised him a bicycle. Nature has its unusual methods. Had it not been for Remal, Mr Milan would have been simply one other vagabond roaming the streets. We thank Anup Sasmal for his efforts and officers of the Nangalkote police station in Bangladesh, in addition to our fellow HAMs from that nation for this outstanding achievement,” Mr Biswas added.

Efforts have begun to acquire paperwork from the Ministry of Exterior Affairs, Authorities of India, and the Bangladesh Deputy Excessive Fee in Kolkata to allow Mr Milan’s repatriation to the neighbouring nation the place he might be reunited along with his household.

(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)