On 14th August, 2024 Mr.Jacob, Social Worker of Udavum Karangal received a call from a well wisher saying that a man was wandering on the streets for the past two weeks near Steadford Hospital, Ambattur. On receiving the call Mr. Jacob along with his team of paramedical staff and Nurse went to the place and rescued a middle aged man ( 42 years) who was speaking in Marathi. He was not cooperative and was also violent. After some persuasion he agreed to get into the Ambulance and he was brought to Udavum Karangal( UK)’s Home – Shanthivanam at Thiruverkadu for organising his rehabilitation.
Our Social workers gave him a bath, provided him clothes to wear and a lunch was given. The patient was immediately referred to the Psychiatrist who diagnosed him as Schizophrenic and prescribed medicines. While the medicines were given, Social workers interact with the patient if they could tell the family details and their place of stay. In this process, within few days , he revealed his name as Rambabu Dhoke and was from a village called Nagarwadi in Maharashtra. The Social workers Mr. Srinivasa Rao ( 99401 88012) and Mr. Shanawaz , contacted the Nagarwadi Village Panchayat President Mr. Khadam Babu Rao ( Ph: 7218801822) and they could locate their family. The photo of Rambabu was sent to the family who confirmed his identify.
Immediately on receiving the information the family jumped in joy and informed the local police station at Mahagaon, Yavatmal ( Phone 8329176314) who deputed a Constable Mr. Ramrao Baliram Ade to accompany the family to Chennai to receive from the NGO.
His brother Mr. Shankar Ramdass Kale ( Phone : 7666395941) from Maharashtra along with the Police rushed to Chennai in a Car on 18th August and reached Udavum Karangal, Thiruverkadu on 20th August morning. They were very happy to see Ram babu Dhoke healthy and was waiting to join them. They received Rambabu from Udavum Karangal and started to their village by car immediately at about 11.30 hrs on 20th August.
His brother informed us that Rambabu’s father was Sukhdev Narayan Dhoke , 75 years, mother-Mrs. Anusaya Sukhdeo Dhoke, 80 years and that he was married to Muktha Bai and had a daughter name Peru. He also had one brother and a sister. He was missing for the past 3 years due to mental illness.
Immediately on knowing that Rambabu was traced out at Chennai, the entire village came to his house in Nagarwadi village and they donated money to his brother for the transport expenditure by car. Hon’ble Member of Parliament – Loksabha Mr. Sanjay Uthamrao Deshmukh along gave Rs.5000 to the family for travel expenditure . He also gave a letter of authorisation about the family to Udavum Karangal.
His family, especially his mother was very much excited when she came to know about her son being traced out. She came in the video Whatsapp Call in the morning (10. 30 hrs) on 20th August and talked to her son and said she was eager to meet him at the earliest. But she was so much excited and overjoyed that the same day at around 6.30 pm she collapsed and died in her village due to cardiac arrest, which is unfortunate. When we asked Shankar Ramdass, if they have reached their village they said they were 350 Kms away and informed us of the news of the death of Rambabu’s mother. How unfortunate that the loving son could not meet his mother who was waiting for his return after 3 long years of missing. We all pray for her soul to rest in peace.
Mr.Rambabu Dhoke was restored on 20th August 2024 in the presence of the Founder Secretary Udavum Karangal, Mr.Vidyaakar who stressed the importance of continuing the psychiatric treatment and regular medication.
