Runaway UP man reunited with father in Guj after 10 years

A twenty-year-old man, who ran away from his home in Uttar Pradesh's Etawah district a decade ago, was today reunited here with his father.

Vishal Saini, angry after his father scolded him, left his home in the northern state in 2008 and boarded a train, said an official of the Social Security department.

The department is part of the Rajkot Collectorate.

The train brought him to Jamnagar in Gujarat from where he was sent to a special home for boys situated in Rajkot, the official added.

"Vishal left his parents' home after his father scolded him. He caught a train from Etawah and reached Jamnagar. He was sent to the special home in Rajkot. He was so annoyed at the time that he refused to give details of his family or home," explained Kanaksinh Zala, a social security department officer.

After prodding him further, he gave an incomplete address, possibly because he was just 10 years old and did not remember his complete residential address, Zala said.

"When Vishal revealed, ten days ago, that he is from Etawah in Uttar Pradesh, we informed authorities there and managed to get his father's address and contact numbers. He was then informed about the whereabouts of his son," Zala said.

Vishal's father, Mahendrabhai, who arrived in the city today, was overwhelmed with joy as he met his runaway son after a decade.

"I had given up hope that I would ever meet my son again. I am thankful to the departments in both Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh that I have finally met my son," a visibly emotional Mahendrabhai said here today.