A 13-year-old hearing-impaired boy, who had been missing from his home in West Bengal for nearly two years, was successfully reunited with his family on Friday, thanks to sustained efforts by a government shelter home in Uttar Pradesh, officials said.
The emotional reunion took place after the boy’s identity was established using Aadhaar data, bringing relief to his family members who had been searching for him since his disappearance. When the child was handed over to his family, they expressed deep gratitude to the Uttar Pradesh government and officials involved in the process.
According to an official statement, the boy was admitted to the Rajkiya Bal Grah (Boys) in Lucknow on September 12, 2025, following directions from the Child Welfare Committee in Meerut. At the time of his admission, the child was unable to communicate his name, address, or any personal details due to his hearing and speech impairment, making identification extremely challenging.
Despite the lack of information, the shelter home administration continued to care for the child while simultaneously making efforts to trace his identity. Officials worked at both administrative and technical levels, exploring all possible avenues to uncover his background.
A breakthrough came during the process of generating the boy’s Aadhaar card. When his fingerprints were scanned, the system retrieved data linked to a previously issued Aadhaar, which provided crucial information about his identity and place of origin.
The records revealed that the boy, identified as Ramzan, belonged to Gangasar village in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Following this discovery, officials at the shelter home coordinated with authorities in West Bengal to contact his family.
Upon receiving the information, the family was overwhelmed with emotion. Ramzan had been missing for nearly two years, and his relatives had been searching for him without success. The reunion marked the end of a long and distressing period for the family.
Officials credited Deputy Chief Probation Officer and Deputy Director of Meerut Division, Puneet Mishra, for playing a key role in the entire process, ensuring that all efforts were coordinated effectively.
Director of the Women Welfare Directorate, C Indumati, highlighted the significance of the case, stating that the Uttar Pradesh government prioritises the safety, protection, and rehabilitation of children.
“Establishing the identity of a hearing-impaired child without any initial information was extremely difficult. However, the team continued its efforts relentlessly. With the help of modern technology and the Aadhaar system, the child was finally reunited with his family,” she said.
She added that the case reflects not only administrative efficiency but also compassion and dedication. “This is not just an administrative success, but also a remarkable example of sensitive governance and humanity,” she noted.
The incident underscores the role of technology, particularly Aadhaar, in solving complex cases involving missing persons, while also highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts by child welfare authorities across states.
