VASCO
The search for a family member came to a remarkable end when an 81-year-old man was reunited with his family from Gujarat after living for 42 years in Baina.
Amir Bhai Sangariyat had gone missing from Gujarat and landed up in Goa 42 years ago after having lost his memory and had been staying with a Baina family for 42 long years till he was finally reunited, all thanks to a doctor who had attended to him.
According to information, Sangariyat was a prominent businessman and had left from Gujarat to Mumbai on a business trip, but he fell sick and lost his memory.
Sangariyat later reached Goa and was working with a popular restaurant for some time, till a family from Baina allowed him to stay with them and made him their family member for 42 years.
It was only a few days ago when Sangariyat fell ill and visited Dr Mehul Shukla, who wanted to know his family and medical history. Dr Shukla realised that the senior citizen was actually from Gujarat and did not recollect anything besides his native village.
INTERVENTION
Dr Shukla, who also hails from Gujarat, then contacted a doctor from the Primary Health Centre at Jambhu village in Gujarat, the native place of Sangariyat.
By sheer coincidence, Sangariyat’s son, Yusuf Amir, had been employed in the same PHC and is believed to have told Dr Shukla that his father had also gone missing around 42 years ago while he was around 13 years old.
Dr Shukla then coordinated with both sides and it was finally confirmed that Sangariyat was the father of Yusuf Amir. The entire family then flew from Gujarat to Goa on Monday night and reunited with Sangariyat on Tuesday morning after a long gap of 42 years.
"It was a very happy moment after I could establish contact with his family and reunite the 81-year old Sangariyat with his family," said Dr Shukla.
Ward councillor Deepak Naik also expressed delight that Sangariyat reunited with his family after 42 years on completion of due formalities.
"Sangariayt’s wife, his four sons and two daughters arrived here in Goa to meet him and Sangariyat is also happy to see them and expressed his willingness to leave for Gujarat," said Naik.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Sangariat acknowledged the generous support by the Adarsh Restaurant in Vasco, who provided him with food and shelter for a long time.
"I used to have a large business in Gujarat with over 100 employees but it went down and I fell sick in Mumbai and I reached Goa. I don't recollect much but Adarsh Hotel took care of me for a very long time till I finally grew old. They had even given me a room but I could not climb the stairs and I finally started staying with a family in Baina who was known to the restaurant owner a few years ago,” said Sangariat.
“I can never ever forget the help offered to me by Adarsh hotel. This family also took great care of me and I am blessed to have reunited with my family again."
Yusuf Amir said he was around 13 years when his father had gone missing.
"We did not know his whereabouts and tried very hard but failed to find out his location. I grew up and worked at the PHC and I even retired recently. We are so grateful that Dr Shukla got in touch with us and reunited my father with our family," said Yusuf.
