Octogenarian reunites with family members after five years

KAKINADA: An octogenarian Korukonda Rama Rao (82), who is mentally disturbed, left his home in Kakinada five years ago. He got reunited with his family on Monday in dramatic conditions.

A bachelor, Rama Rao had been under the care of his four brothers. However, five years ago, he left the house and did not return. His brothers made efforts to trace him, but remained unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, Rama Rao had reached Kamavarapukota. A person took interest and admitted him to an old age home in Jangareddygudem. The old age home deserted him after he fell ill.

Jangareddygudem municipal workers later saw him almost lifeless at RTC Complex. Presuming him to be dead, they started taking him to a burial ground near Jangareddygudem in a municipal vehicle.

Some locals saw movement in Rama Rao’s body. They took videos and loaded them on social media underlining that a man, though alive, was being taken to a burial ground. The news went viral on social media when family members of Rama Rao noticed it and approached police.

Korukonda Rajkumar, working as head constable at One Town Police Station in Kakinada, went to Jangareddygudem and recognised Rama Rao as his paternal uncle. He informed Jangareddygudem MRO Sleevam Joji about it and took Ramarao to Kakinada by ambulance.

Rajkumar told Deccan Chronicle that Rama Rao’s brothers had made considerable efforts to trace him. They then thought he may have died during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Now, we are all happy that we have been reunited with Rama Rao,” he stated.