Aadhaar helps deaf, mute woman reunite with family
Ramkirishan Upadhyay
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 12
A middle aged deaf and dumb woman, Manju Devi, who was separated from her family 15 days ago, was reunited with her family with the help of Aadhaar.
On the night of August 28, the Chandigarh Police found her wandering on Madhya Marg and she was taken to One Stop Centre — Sakhi — in Sector 26.
The authorities found it tough to establish her identity as she was not carrying any ID proof. Moreover, she could not explain anything through gestures.
Thereafter, the authorities contacted the UIDAI Regional Centre, Chandigarh, to get her Aadhaar card prepared. It is mandatory for inmates of all shelter homes. UIDAI officials took her finger prints.
On September 6, she was shifted to Swadhar Greh, a scheme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development), Sector 43, for her rehabilitation.
Officials made efforts to locate her family. They even took the help of labourers from Bihar and UP. However, no one could help or understand her gestures.
She was inconsolable and was crying after remembering her children. She was requesting the staff to let her go. Besides, she even tried to escape, but the staff and inmates had kept a close eye on her.
On September 10, it came to light that the Aadhaar card of Manju was already made. She is a resident of Ward No 3, Chak Jogiwala, Chidderwala, Dehradun. The officials came to know her name — Manju Devi — and age — 52 years.
Thereafter, the officials contacted the police of Chak Joggiwala. The sarpanch of Ward no 3 told them that he knew Manju Devi and her husband.
After that, he went to her home and contacted with Manju. Her son had recognised her. A missing report was also filed with the police of Chidderwala.
On Wednesday, the family reached Chandigarh and it was allowed to take her home.
