Lost and Found: Sabahmuswang Halfway Home brings joy to a long-lost family from Assam

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 18, 2024

In an inspiring event, the Sabahmuswang Halfway Home successfully reunited Jiratan Bibi with her family after a three-year separation.

The emotional ceremony, attended by DV Lyngdoh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District, R Passah, District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Jowai, Dr. HH Mohrmen, Secretary of SURE, Niwanka Shylla, Project Coordinator and the staff, celebrated this significant milestone.

District Social Welfare Officer, R Passah highlighted the halfway home’s mission to reconnect patients with their families. After verifying her relatives’ documents, it was decided to return Jiratan Bibi to her family.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, DV Lyngdoh noted this as the first successful family reunion in the state after rehabilitation at the halfway home, praising the Jowai halfway home for their efforts.

Jiratan Bibi, 58, had been admitted to MIMHANS on June 7, 2022, after being found wandering in the Byrnihat area due to mental instability. She was transferred to the Halfway Home Sabah Muswang on August 11, 2023.

During Aadhar registration, her biometrics revealed her true identity as Jirayan Bibi, daughter of Jadab Ali. This information helped the staff contact her family.

On May 15, 2024, Niwanka Shylla contacted a colleague at Assam Don Bosco University, who used her Aadhaar mobile number to reach her family. After confirming her identity through photos and a direct conversation, her family was overjoyed.

Witnesses described the reunion as deeply emotional. Her family expressed immense gratitude to the halfway home staff, with her son Bahar Ali stating, “We are overwhelmed with joy and relief to have our mother back home.”

HH Mohrmen of SURE said, “We are glad that this one case ends on a happy note as we are able to hand over the patient to her loved ones.”