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Indian Soldier Missing For 40 Years To Be Reunited With Family

Indian Soldier Missing For 40 Years To Be Reunited With Family

The family located Khondram Gambhir after spotting a video of him singing on Twitter

Ronan O'Shea

Ronan O'Shea

We've all wanted to disappear without a trace after falling our with friends or family, although it usually starts to feel like a daft idea once the first wave of remorse hits. At least these days we've got mobile phones with text messages and WhatsApp to resolve a row before a rift grows too deep.

But it's never too late to get back in touch - one soldier who went missing for 40 years is set to be reunited with his family, after they saw a video of him singing on the Internet.

Khondram Gambhir broke up with his wife of three months in the 1970s before vanishing suddenly from his home, in Khumbong Mamang Leikai, Manipur State, in north-eastern India. However, an online appeal has now successfully tracked him down.

Relatives of Khomdram, 66, have traced him after seeing footage of him singing in the street on Twitter.

His younger brother Kullachandra, 57, will now meet the ex-military man, with the pair not having seen each other since 1978. He said: "I could not believe when a nephew of mine came running to me with a video footage of my brother.

"When I saw the video, I could not stop crying. I could neither sleep nor eat thereafter. I was very happy to know that he is alive. This is like waking up from a nightmare."

CEN

The elder of the siblings was a member of the Manipur Rifles before returning home after his father's death to become a farm worker.

One of six siblings, he is reported to have had a misunderstanding with his brothers before leaving for the capital of Mumbai, Maharashtra State, in western India.

He was filmed by street photographer Firoze Shakir last year, singing in the street. He's believed to have developed troubles with alcohol over the years.

After seeing the video, Khomdram Kulachandra Singh wrote to the authorities pleading for his brother's safe return.

CEN

"Though my elder brother seemed to be troubled, he never confided in us before leaving home one afternoon," he said.

"On seeing the video, I could not stop crying. It was just like waking up in the middle of a dream. Now our happiness is limitless. We truly thank Firoze Sakir for uploading my brother's video."

Police officers from his hometown are due to travel to the Indian capital and will be followed by family members shortly afterwards.

Twitter user Angellica Aribam took to Twitter to express gratitude at the police force's work in securing Khomdram Gambhir's return home:

Mumbai Police
Mumbai Police

Meanwhile, a police spokesman said: "We are delighted that he will reunite with his family after 40 years. It's really a miracle."

Excuse me, it's a bit dusty in here. Got something in my eye.

Featured Image Credit: CEN

Topics: World News, Interesting, Social Media, Feels, Twitter, India