Jharsuguda: In a heartwarming initiative, the Jharsuguda district administration has successfully reunited 20 elderly and mentally ill persons with their families under the ‘Sneh Setu’ program, launched by District Magistrate Chavan Kunal Motiram. The initiative, described by officials as a “bridge of love,” focuses on reconnecting people who have been living in old-age homes and rehabilitation centres, often far away from their loved ones.
The program began during a routine visit to an old-age home when the Collector met Vijayabhai Raghunath Yadav, an elderly woman from Subhash Nagar in Barshi, Maharashtra, who had been staying in the home for nearly three years. Determined to reunite her with her family, Chauhan reached out to his IAS batchmate, Vishal Tejrao Narwade, and a short video appeal circulated on social media helped trace her family. She returned home on December 8, 2025, marking the first successful reunion of the initiative.
Encouraged by this success, the district administration scaled up the program under the name ‘Sneh Setu’, targeting elderly and mentally ill persons across states, including Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. The program operates under the supervision of the District Social Security Officer (DSSO) with financial support from the District Mineral Fund (DMF).
Since its launch, the initiative has facilitated several reunions. Gopichand Ghosh from Nadia, West Bengal, who had been rescued nine years ago and rehabilitated at Mission Ashalok-1, returned to his family on December 25, 2025. Kaushalya Binayak Kuttermare, rescued by Kolabira police in 2022 from Malidihi, was traced to Maharashtra and reunited with her sons. Ram Prasad Kevat from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, returned home on December 13, 2025, while mentally ill individuals Ganesh Sharma from Gaya, Bihar, and Shyamlal Dhanbhar from Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, were reunited with their families on December 20, 2025, in the presence of senior local officials. During Dulduli-2026, Badam Kangari from Jharkhand and Arul Chawade from Madhya Pradesh were also reunited with their families.
Speaking about the initiative, district collector Kunal Motiram Chauhan said, “Sneh Setu is a bridge of love connecting Jharsuguda with other states. Many elderly and mentally challenged persons wish to return home but are unable to do so for various reasons. Over 100 persons are currently in old-age homes and rehabilitation centres in the district, and 20 have already been successfully reunited. Witnessing their joy has been deeply inspiring.”
The administration plans to continue expanding the program to ensure that more persons can be reunited with their families in the coming months. With ‘Sneh Setu’, Jharsuguda is proving that compassion, combined with administrative effort, can bring smiles back to lives that have long been separated from their loved ones.
