Cover Photo: Image of a few buildings in one of the many villages we visited. Photo: Suryakumar M
Village tours, a DNA test, dozens more community interviews, visiting nuns, press covers my search and Arun and Anjali depart.
There continues to be more and more press about my story and search. The most important of this press in terms of practical help are the pieces run in local languages and by local agencies. You can find some of those stories, at least one in English, below. I have also created a map of some of the significant locations we have visited.
Me grinning while we wait to meet the director of the orphanage, I met her in 2019 as well.Showing images from 1991 and my 2004 trip to the orphanage director.Kumar, Anjali and Arun sitting in the orphanage director’s office.Meeting Sister Mariya Kamalan who was orphanage director in 2004 when LilaRose and I visited.Sister Mariya Kamalan responding to our questions.Anjali and Kumar walking towards an apartment complex where we consulted a community elder.Community elder and former village postal worker consulting a community census-like document for any familiar names.Waiting in a community elder’s veranda as he continues research and we makes calls.Kumar participating in his 2nd interview, this time with The Hindu News.Huskless tamarind fruit. Each little section is a seed coated in a soft sweet and sour paste that is delicious.
Day 8 – April 5th
Kumar holding a newspaper with the second news story covering his search. The story ran in The Hindu News.Kumar and Surya (interpreter and photographer) in the hotel lobby.Anjali performing our first DNA swab of a man who we initially thought could be a brother but his age all but rules him out.Kumar thanking a community leader for making calls on our behalf and helping us with new leads.A doctor, village elder and parish leader wishing us luck and blessing us as we leave after a lengthy consultation.Snack break at a tea stall since we never seem to be able to fit lunch into our days.Anjali, two former orphanage staff members and Kumar walking in a central area of St. Joseph’s COllege where they now work.Kumar showing pictures to a former caretaker who looked after Kumar while he was at the orphanage.Former orphanage director, former orphanage caretaker and Kumar.Kumar showing a picture of himself and an elderly Sister who took care of Kumar in the orphanage (she is now about 90) while the former orphanage director looks on.
Photo Credit: The vast majority of images shown were taken by Suryakumar M.
Great post Kumar! Fingers crossed that one of the leads/pieces out there might turn up something promising. Sounds like the search has been physically and emotionally exhausting, but clear that you are finding some success (and some satisfaction?) immersing in India.
A Roots Search 
Great post Kumar! Fingers crossed that one of the leads/pieces out there might turn up something promising. Sounds like the search has been physically and emotionally exhausting, but clear that you are finding some success (and some satisfaction?) immersing in India.
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