Missing for 18 Years, Nepali Man Reunited with Family via Facebook Video

Kanchanpur. A video uploaded to Facebook has brought joy to the family of Dambar Bahadur Negi in Shuklaphanta Municipality-12, after it revealed the whereabouts of his son who had been missing for 18 years. Upon learning that his son, Deepak, who had been out of contact for a long time, is alive, the family is now eagerly awaiting his return.

Due to the family's poor financial condition, Deepak went to India in search of work at the age of 18 with a relative from his village. While working in Himachal, he fell ill and went missing after leaving to visit a hospital. Since then, the family had no information about his whereabouts.

As time passed, the family searched through relatives and acquaintances but found no leads. Eventually, they had lost hope, unsure if Deepak was even alive. However, fate took a turn. A Nepali working at a yak shed in the Leh-Ladakh region of India met Deepak Negi. During their conversation, he identified himself as Deepak (Deepu) Negi from Dekhatbhuli, Kanchanpur.

The Nepali individual then uploaded a video containing Deepak's name, address, and condition to Facebook. The video spread through social media and reached the Negi family. After the information reached the ward office through the police, contact was established between the family and the person who uploaded the video. Further information about Deepak's condition was then gathered via Facebook and phone calls.

Seeing their son's face on a mobile screen after 18 years left the family stunned. Initially unable to believe it, the family soon became emotional. "It feels as if God himself came to deliver the news," said Deepak's father, Dambar Bahadur Negi. "Receiving news of my son after all these years is like receiving a new life."

For his mother, Manmati Negi, the moment was equally emotional. "At first, I couldn't believe it, but after looking closely, I realized it was my own son," she said. "I couldn't speak for joy, only tears came. I am eagerly waiting to meet him soon; the restlessness to see my son is growing."

According to the family, Deepak has been mentally unwell for some years. They have learned that his employer has been providing him with medical treatment. The family has expressed gratitude for the support provided despite limited resources. Currently, the Negi family and Deepak are in regular contact via Facebook video calls. Even after speaking with their son after such a long time, the family still finds it hard to believe.

"Hearing his voice on the phone and seeing him on video fills my heart," said his father, Dambar Bahadur. "If we can bring him home soon, we will forget all our sorrows." Preparations to bring 36-year-old Deepak home have begun. Since reaching the remote Leh-Ladakh region requires both time and money, the family is working to gather the necessary resources. They are preparing to bring Deepak home, even if it means borrowing money from relatives.

Deepak's brother and sister-in-law, who work in Delhi, are planning to reach Ladakh around the 20th of this month to bring him home. The family has stated they will not delay his return any further.

According to Ward Chairman Nawal Singh Rana, after receiving information through the police, the family was notified and coordination was established with the contact person in India. "A person missing for years reconnecting with their family because of Facebook is a positive use of technology," he said.

Ward member Jaysingh Bhandari, a neighbor of the Negi family, also mentioned that the entire village was filled with joy upon learning through the Facebook video that Deepak was alive. Deepak is the second of three sons in the Negi family. His elder and younger brothers are employed in India, while his father works as a watchman at a local community forest.