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When Shashi Shanker’s wife saw a whatsapp status of her mother-in-law being missing, Shashi’s heart sank- his mom who was suffering from dementia had vanished into the holy chaos of Banaras, and him living miles away, in the US, just added to the mess. While this story is emotional and heart touching, it is also a reminder of how beautiful family bonds are, and how challenging it is when a close one is suffering from dementia.
The Disappearance & Feelings of Uncertainty
Shashi’s parents had gone to Varanasi for a spiritual pilgrimage, a dream trip for so many. The idea was to experience spirituality as they were growing old. But amid the massive crowds flooding the ghats and temples, his mother slipped away unnoticed, lost in the swirl of devotion.
Shashi’s dad contacted the police and that led to the WhatsApp status. Shashi, oceans away, started to gather as much information as he could, but the restlessness of “What if we don’t find her?” started eating him from inside. The fact that she was suffering from dementia made the whole situation a lot worse. She couldn’t ask for help, she couldn’t do anything.
The Relentless Search Begins
Shashi snapped into action mode from afar, coordinating to and fro, while his dad physically started searching her in and around Banaras- ghats, temples, begging police for CCTV clips, and slapping posters on every wall. But Banaras being a total maze, resulted in days stretching into exhausting nights with little results. As they reached the 5th-6th day, somewhere deep down they started thinking that maybe she was meant to visit the holy place of Banaras and stay there forever.
Locals tried to help, and pitched in here and there, gathering reliable information amid the crowd was difficult. It was a social worker named Aman Kabir who kept telling Shashi, “Mil jaenge. Jaha par bhi honge woh mil jaenge “ and kept them going.
The Miracle Reunion
After gathering minor clues, wandering in the same lanes again and again, and not giving up, finally on Day 9, Shashi found his mother- safe and sound at a simple Hanuman temple across river Ganga. She was safe, fed, and sheltered by total strangers. The small village she had wandered to had welcomed her like one of their own.
When Shashi’s mother spotted him, that reunion hug hit different. She smiled through the fog and in an instant was on her way back home. Nine days of nightmare finally ended with a positive result. Those villagers’ kindness had kept Shashi’s mom safe, and her family’s love and conviction reunited them with each other. But this story throws light on an important issue- in a world where dementia is common, it is necessary to take steps to prevent it, and help people around.
Dementia, the real talk
Women often ignore their own health, ignoring basics like vitamins B12 and D and always put their family first. Skipping fruits, vegetables, exercise? That’s a ticking clock.
If you’ve crossed 40 years of age or know someone who has, encourage them to go for annual health check ups. Encourage your old parents to get themselves checked, to have a balanced diet, exercise and shower them with respect and love- that builds the strongest shield.
Why This Hits Home Today
“My mother did so much for me when I was small, and I couldn’t be there for her when she needed me.” This was what Shashi felt when finding his mother. Doesn’t this hit home? Don’t we all feel the same way?
In our always-on, miles-apart world, loving your parents and caring for them is precious. This story is a reminder that family bonds hold power, and strangers can be kind. This world is full of good vibes if you believe it is.
Do you know anyone who is suffering from dementia? What is the best way to keep them safe?
Do you believe that love has enough power to overcome all odds, including such diseases?
Share your thoughts below!
