Pratap Bista

After nearly 16 years of separation, a woman is eagerly looking forward to reunite with her daughter who, at the age of nine, was whisked away by a stranger from a train station in Delhi, India.

Ambika Upreti of Hetauda-6 in Makwanpur had never imagined she would ever see Sita again. She was overjoyed by the news that Sita was in a women’s shelter in Delhi and was longing to return home.

“I spent many nights crying for her and praying for her wellbeing. I am dying to meet her, embrace her and tell her how much I love her,” the 60-year-old mother said.

Ambika had gone to Delhi with Sita in search of a job in 1996. No sooner had they reached the Indian city, an unidentified man kidnapped Sita from the train station and vanished in the thick of crowd.

“I screamed and cried for help but could not find my daughter anywhere. I returned home without her,” Ambika said.

The past 16 years have been quite torturous for Ambika. She said she was accused by her neighbours and relatives of selling off her daughter. “I will have peace only after my daughter returns home,” she said.

Sita, who is 25 now, lived in the women’s shelter run by the Indian government for the most part of 16 years. The shelter had contacted the Nepali Embassy in India asking the latter to find Sita’s family.

Chief District Officer of Makwanpur, Dinesh Bhattarai, said the whereabouts of Sita’s family were located as per the letter sent by the embassy.

“We have found the girl’s family and are preparing to appeal to the embassy to send her home,” he said.

Published on: 11 October 2011 | The Kathmandu Post