Sneha, 21 years old, a Spanish woman, has come to India to rekindle her lost roots. She was adopted from an orphanage in Bhubaneswar 13 years ago, and she came back to find out about her biological mother, Banalata Das, who deserted her and her brother two decades ago.
Time is not on Sneha’s side. She must return to Spain by Monday for her education commitments but remains determined. “I came to India to find my mother. Even if the journey is hard, I’m ready for it,” she said.
Currently a researcher in children’s education, Sneha landed in Bhubaneswar on December 19 accompanied by her adoptive mother Gema Vidal, who teaches yoga from Zaragoza in Spain. Sneha’s brother Somu was adopted by Gema and her husband Juan Josh in 2010 but could not join them since he had work to attend to.
In 2005, at a rented house in Nayapally, Sneha and her brother were left by Banalata after their father deserted the family. The landowner later raised an alarm with the authorities and the siblings were taken to an orphanage.
Spanish woman Sneha finds out names of parents to search for them in India
In the course of their search, Sneha and Gema discovered critical information related to her biological parents. With the help of an ex-professor, Sneha Sudha Mishra, and also local officials, they ascertained the names of the parents and established their origin in Badamba-Narsinghpur under Cuttack district. Police have intensified the efforts, but Banalata has still not yet been found.
“We are working with local officials to trace them,” said Inspector Anjali Chhotray, who has been assigned to the case.
If they fail, Sneha and Gema will return in March for a longer search. Gema continues to support Sneha’s efforts, referring to her as “the joy of our house.”
Sneha is able to look beyond the emotional complications and focus on reconnecting with her past, driven by hope and a strong sense of identity.
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