Stranger's act of kindness helps woman reunite with family after 11 years

Thanks to a businessman in Tangail, a Harijan woman with mental health condition has gone back to her family in Dinajpur, eleven years after going missing. 

The woman named Durga got married to one Ramesh Harijan of Sastitala Shahidul Colony in Dinajpur in 2007 at the age of only 13, according to her family members.

Around three years after her marriage, Durga became mentally unstable after giving birth to two daughters. 

She went missing from home in 2010. Despite many attempts, her family could not find her and Durga's husband Ramesh Harijan remarried.

In the meantime, a woman with mental health condition was seen roaming around in Dhuburia union under Tangail's Nagarpur upazila. 

The woman could not say anything about herself, her name or address.

Considering her safety, Asaduzzaman Rony, president of traders' association in Dhuburia Bazar, gave her shelter. 

He arranged a separate room for her at his house, where he lives with his wife and children. 

Rony's family members started taking care of her and named her Laily. 

Asaduzzaman Rony said, "Laily (Durga) has not spoken a single word in eight years after taking shelter in my house. Then, she slowly began to speak a word or two." 

"Recently, she mentioned 'Dinajpur', 'Sweeper Colony' etc. Then, I discussed the matter with others including Awlad Hossain, a local Awami League leader," he said.

Awlad Hossain said, "When I heard that Laily (Durga) was talking about Dinajpur, I informed my brother Dilip, who lives there. Dilip later posted Laily's photo on Facebook, looking for her family." 

The Facebook post got several hundred shares. At one stage, the Harijan community leaders there confirmed that Laily was in fact Durga, wife of Ramesh Harijan, who was lost eleven years ago. 

Being informed, Durga's brother and husband came to Nagarpur in Tangail on January 14 to take her back home. 

Rony handed Durga over to them in presence of the local union parishad chairman and assistant sub-inspector Aminul Islam of Nagarpur Police Station.

A tearful Rony said he was very happy to give Durga back to her family. 

Durga's husband Ramesh said, "I am very happy to get my wife back. My children are also eagerly waiting for their mother. I don't know how to express my gratitude to Rony bhai."