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Lost for Two Decades, Bihar Man Reunited with Family Via Facebook
28 Sep
Summary
- A 36-year-old man returned home after being missing for 21 years.
- He disappeared at age 15 after boarding a train out of fascination.
- A Facebook video posted by a police officer led to his family finding him.
Ram Shanker Kushwaha, now 36, returned to his native Maheshpura village in Bihar's Madhubani district on September 7, 2026, after disappearing 21 years prior. As a 15-year-old, his fascination with trains led him to board one, embarking on a journey that separated him from his family for over two decades.
His family's long search concluded when his brother recognized him in a Facebook video posted by Gwalior Deputy Superintendent of Police Santosh Patel. Shanker had been residing at Ashram Swarg Sadan, a state-run shelter, for eight years prior to this discovery. The video, captured on August 29, 2026, was posted by DSP Patel.
Shanker's journey began on December 6, 2005, when he decided to travel to Ayodhya with a sadhu. His memories of the intervening years are fragmented, suggesting he moved between various locations without clear direction. He recalls spending time at a temple in Patna and later living around Gwalior railway station, surviving on odd jobs and food from passersby.
In 2018, he was taken to Ashram Swarg Sadan. The reunion was facilitated when DSP Patel posted the video, which Lalit Shastri, Shanker's elder brother, saw on September 4, 2026. After verification and obtaining necessary identity documents, Shanker was able to travel back home, where he was welcomed by his family and villagers.
