"Deadman" returns home - not embraced but embarrassed by family

By Lalit Patnaik
&
Sibdas Kundu
Balasore, Dec. 18: A former railway employee, who was missing for two decades and declared dead by his family members, has recently returned to his village only to find himself as an unwelcome guest by his family members.
The family members the 64-year-old Bidyadhar Behera are deriving all death benefits and hence do not want to recognise him in public as they have declared him a "deadman" since long.
The railway authorities too have accepted Bidyadhar to have died 20 year ago. His wife Malati is drawing pension and son has been recruited by the South-Eastern Railways.
"If the family members accept me, they think they would lose whatever benefits they have been getting for 20 years now. This is why they deliberately do not want to recognise me," says Bidyadhar.
The railway authorities on the other hand, scratching their head as to how to meet such a perplex situation.
It all started in 1987 when Bidyadhar, a resident of Podadiha village under Kasipada gram panchayat, left home as the behaviour of his wife became unbearable.
While leaving home, Bidyadhar - who claims himself a battered husband said to his wife he would commit suicide to escape harassment. Although the family members initially took his words as a mere threatening, they later presumed him dead as Bidyadhar did not return home after months.
The family performed last rites of Bidyadhar and submitted death certificates to the railway authorities and local administration. This facilitated Bidyadhar's son to secure a job in signal department the railways in 1997 and enabled his wife Malati to obtain ownership of all the landed property.
"My wife was always over concerned about her parental home and never had any sympathy or love for me. Our marriage life was totally ruined for which I left home," said Bidyadhar, adding, although he wanted to communicate with family after a few months, none reciprocated.
Bidyadhar has four children – three daughters and a son.
"My children are showing no interest to interact with me. My wife has threaten me of dire consequences if I do not want disappear from my village," he says.
Bidyadhar is now taking shelter at one of his childhood friends. Many of his colleagues have either retired or died. However, some of Bidyadhar's colleagues such like Purno Mahato, Bhim Behera and Chakradhar Behera are still active and alive and recognise him without any difficulty.