Through winding roads and vast farmlands, past scrambling goatherds and unusually large birds, our team arrived in Dosikkela – a remote village near the Odisha border. Here lives a quiet elderly man named Appa Rao.
His frail physique and wrinkled skin tell a story of ndurance, deep loss, and miraculous reunion. For 22 years, he was trapped in bonded labour hundreds of miles from home – working without pay, isolated by language, and manipulated by false promises. He had left his village in 2003, hoping to earn enough to buy a small gift for his daughter and grandson. Instead, he vanished into decades of exploitation.
On 31 January 2025, a government official trained by IJM received a tip about an elderly man working without wages. She investigated.
That single act of courage – asking questions, following leads, and refusing to look away –led her to Appa Rao, still tending sheep in a scrubby field. He was quiet, confused, and speaking a mix of Tamil and Telugu. But one thing was clear: he hadn’t been paid in over two decades and had no way to return home.
The official immediately contacted IJM. Together, they mobilised a response, confronted the farm owner, and secured Appa Rao’s release. It was the beginning of a new chapter.
Appa Rao didn’t know if he’d ever see his family again. But thanks to a massive search effort across two states, led by IJM, local media, and government officials, his daughter Sayamma saw a video of him online and recognised him instantly.
With help from officials, she and her husband Chendu travelled 800 miles to reunite with Appa Rao. That moment, captured on video, was filled with tears, disbelief, and joy.
These are the Little Things That Mean Everything
For the first time in 22 years, Appa Rao was home.
His grandson Ganesh welcomed him with a crisp white veshti and a blue t-shirt. His daughter Sayamma cooked his favourite fish curry. She shared, “Till today, that is the most memorable meal we’ve shared together.”
Now, his mornings begin with tea and a warm breakfast, his afternoons are for rest, and his evenings are filled with the simple joys of companionship – whether sharing snacks with Chendu, who now calls him a friend, or playing catch with his youngest grandson. Each night, the family gathers around the dinner table, cherishing the togetherness they thought they had lost. These are the little things that mean everything – the everyday joys that freedom can restore.
“I thought I would die there,” Appa Rao said. “But now I have come here, and I am seeing everyone. I’m happy to see everyone here.”
This season, your gift can spark the next investigation
Appa Rao’s rescue began when someone asked questions, followed leads, and refused to look away.
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