15 years of separation ended with the power of one word, 'Mahakumbh,' bringing a family back together; know how

A remarkable story of a missing person's return unfolded in Jharkhand, where Prakash Mahato, who had been missing for 15 years, was finally reunited with his family. The breakthrough came when a hotel owner in Raniganj, West Bengal, contacted the police after recognizing a man who matched Mahato's description. Mahato had been living and working at the hotel under the nickname "Wrestler," with no memory of his past until a conversation about the Kumbh Mela triggered his recollection of home. The connection proved heartwarming as his family was preparing to apply for his death certificate.
Like life itself, it was a strange twist of fate that just ten days prior to Mahato's reunion with his family, a notice was sent by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation about the outstanding payments related to his absence. Maintaining state policies, Mahato's family had initiated the application process for the issue of his death certificate without knowing that he was alive. The application, however, was still pending as the documentation was not fully processed, which again caused a time lag.

A local resident of Kadodih under the Markacho police station in Jharkhand, Prakash Mahato went missing on May 9, 2010, as he was heading to Kolkata for work. Prakash Mahato was an employee of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation prior to his disappearance. It has been reported that Mahato was mentally unstable at the time of his disappearance, which may have led to this disappearance. Distraught at his sudden disappearance, his family lodged a complaint with the Markacho police station. Despite their relentless search efforts over the following years, Mahato’s whereabouts remained unknown for over a decade.

The breakthrough came in the case when there was a call to the Markacho police from a hotel operator at Raniganj in West Bengal. The owner of the hotel said that he had given lodging to a man answering the description of Mahato. The call would thus finally connect Mahato with his family. News of the man was conveyed quickly to Mahato's family, who hastened to Raniganj and established whether it was their missing relative.
As per reports, state that the owner of the hotel had adopted Mahato 15 years ago, providing him with shelter and employment. Ever since, Mahato had been working at that very hotel. Locals knew him there as "Wrestler." The identity remained unknown until a pivotal moment in the hotel. The owner of the hotel was talking about his pilgrimage to attend the Kumbh Mela. When the term "Kumbh Mela" was used, Mahato said that he must go as his house fell on the same route. This further led to questioning in due time that revealed his real identity.
After verification of Mahato's identity, the hotel owner informed the local police authorities, who coordinated with Markacho police station. This made sure that Mahato was eventually reunited with his family. On January 7, Mahato, now 52 years old, was brought to the police station where his family waited. His wife, Geeta Devi, who had, during these years, raised all their children alone, was in tears. Their children, Sujal (18) and Rani (16), had only seen their father in photographs, making this reunion even more emotional for them.
Also Read | Bengaluru metro transforms into impromptu Ed Sheeran concert as fans sing 'Perfect' together | Watch