NADI, Himachal Pradesh, Nov 20 — In a story that reads like a movie script, Rikhi Ram, missing from Nadi village since 1980, returned home on November 15 after a head injury restored memories lost in a childhood accident. He arrived with his wife and three children to a village celebration marked by music, garlands, and tears of joy.
Rikhi left his village at 16 in search of work and secured a hotel job in Yamunanagar. A road accident in Ambala caused a head injury that wiped his memory clean, leaving him without recollection of his past or his name. Known thereafter as Ravi Chaudhary, he rebuilt his life from scratch.
He moved through Mumbai and eventually settled in Nanded, Maharashtra, where he married Santoshi in 1994. Together, they raised two daughters and a son. His life seemed secure, until a minor accident in 2025 triggered dreams that gradually unlocked long-forgotten memories — the sight of a mango tree, a village swing, and paths leading to Sataun and Nadi.
Rikhi, with limited education, sought help from a college student. Using online searches and local contacts, they traced his birthplace and connected with MK Chaubey, a family relative, who confirmed the authenticity of his recollections.
The reunion with his siblings — Durga Ram, Chander Mohan, Chandramani, Kaushalya Devi, Kala Devi, and Sumitra Devi — was deeply emotional. “We thought he was gone forever,” Durga Ram said through tears. “Seeing him alive is like witnessing a miracle.”
Rikhi’s return also revealed a cultural shift in his identity. Raised Brahmin until 16, he had lived his adult life as a Rajput due to the community he grew up with after losing his memory. With his recollections restored, he has embraced his original heritage while reconnecting with his native village.
