How a viral salute video led to the reunion of a Bhopal policeman after 42 years

Economic Times

3 days ago

Synopsis
A crisp salute from an elderly resident at a Bhopal old-age home, identified as former sub-inspector Puran Singh, sparked an emotional reunion after 42 years. DSP Santosh Patel's viral video helped trace Singh's identity, revealing his past service and struggles with mental health after his wife's death.
Agencies Viral video An elderly man's sharp salute at a Bhopal old-age home led to an emotional family reunion after 42 years. The man, later identified as former sub-inspector Puran Singh, had been missing for decades until a viral video shared by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Santosh Patel helped trace his identity and reconnect him with his long-lost son, a TOI report stated.On July 15, 2023, DSP Santosh Patel, posted in Balaghat, was in Bhopal for official training. It was also his wife's birthday, and the family spent the day doing social work. Among their activities, they visited an old-age home in the city.As Patel walked in, an elderly resident stood up and greeted him with a crisp salute and the words, 'Jai Hind.' The gesture stood out for its precision.'He greeted me with a 'Jai Hind' and saluted with a firm chest-up posture, reminiscent of how policemen salute while not in uniform. I was deeply moved by his gesture,' Patel said.The man introduced himself as Puran Singh, believed to be between 85 and 90 years old. According to social worker Mohan Soni, Singh had once served in the police force. After losing his wife in a road accident, Singh turned to alcohol and struggled with mental health issues. He eventually disappeared and lived for decades on farmlands outside Bhopal.
Eight months before the encounter, the son of his employer admitted him to the Aasra Old Age Home. Singh's memory had faded, but he remembered being a sub-inspector, the word "Betul," and his interest in football.Patel, who had earlier lived in Betul, tried triggering Singh's memory by mentioning familiar places.'He reacted to the names and seemed to recognise them, but his recollections were incomplete,' said Patel.He filmed their interaction and shared the video online. It quickly went viral, crossing 10 lakh views.Patel said Singh likely never retired formally. 'He probably did not retire in a formal sense. Most likely, he was terminated for not turning up for duty after his disappearance.'Ravi Tripathi from Betul came across the video and began tracing Singh's background. By speaking to older residents, he gathered clues and approached retired sub-inspector Johnson Herald. Upon seeing the video, Herald immediately recognised Singh.Singh's story became clearer. He had trained in Sagar and served in Gwalior and Bhind. After his land was lost to a dam project and his wife died, Singh fell into alcoholism and disappeared. His family presumed him dead.Raja Singh, who was just 18 months old when his father vanished, is now employed in Maharashtra. After learning about his father's identity, he visited the old-age home with his wife, three children, and maternal uncle.'I never imagined I would ever meet my father. I assumed he was no longer alive,' Raja said.According to Patel, Singh was last posted in Bhind. He may now be eligible for pension benefits. Patel added that this was not his first successful reunion through social media.'I have over 40 lakh subscribers and have earlier reunited two other mentally ill men from Bihar and Chitrakoot with their families,' he said.Sameena Masih, who manages the Aasra Old Age Home, shared her memories of Singh.'He kept repeating that he was once a police officer from a village near Gwalior. He couldn't recall his son's or wife's names. He would sit outside at night, guarding the premises. Every morning, he would greet me with a salute. Whenever I responded with a salute and said 'Jai Hind,' he felt I was mocking him. But I truly respected him. His salute was sharp, just like a trained policeman's. It wasn't an act—it was his identity.'