After 35 years missing and mentally unwell, Jhama Singh was reunited with his family thanks to the relentless efforts of GASVS and partner organizations, showcasing the powerful impact of community rehabilitation.
Jhama Singh Dhurve, a 65-year-old man from Chiklamath village in Junnardeo, went missing 35 years ago after traveling to Bangalore for work. Due to mental illness, he was unable to return home. His family searched for him for years without success and eventually lost hope of finding him.
Years later, Jhama Singh was found in Bangalore at a railway station by the Vaniyan organization, which works with mentally ill individuals. He was admitted to their emergency care and recovery center. Although not fully recovered, he was able to provide vague information about his village being Junnardeo, but he couldn’t remember his own name.
The Bangalore organization contacted Shyamrao Dhawle, head of Gramin Adiwasi Samaj Vikas Sansthan (GASVS), which focuses on rural tribal community development and mental health rehabilitation. GASVS verified his identity by sharing his photo with local workers. Rajendra Sharma, a GASVS coordinator, confirmed Jhama Singh’s identity when a local woman recognized him as her missing brother.
Subsequently, GASVS coordinated Jhama Singh’s journey back to his family. After 35 years, the family was reunited, with many tears of joy and gratitude expressed towards GASVS for making this reunion possible.
This detailed story highlights GASVS’s crucial role in rural mental health care intertwined with family reunification, demonstrating how sustained community networks and collaborations enable life-changing interventions for marginalized individuals.
