Man who travelled 1,800 km to get married returns with wife after 56 days

When 30-year-old Sunil Kumar left Paroian Kalan village in Himachal Pradesh for West Bengal on March 21, he was filled with joy. In a couple of days, he was set to get married and his family was eager to welcome a new member from Kashipur in Purulia district, which is around 1,800 km far from Paroian Kalan.

As many as 18 members, including Kumar, reached Kolkata on March 22, when the country was observing a people’s curfew on the appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to curb the spread of COVID-19 and thank the workers in the frontlines of efforts to fight the pandemic.

However, Kumar’s marriage with Sanjogita was solemnised as per schedule in Kashipur on March 25, the day when the first phase of the nationwide lockdown began. Kumar’s family had already booked tickets for 19 members, including bride Sanjogita Kumari Mandal, on a train to Himachal Pradesh on March 26.

But the due to the lockdown, train services were suspended and the members had to stay put at a rest house in Kashipur for the next 56 days. “We contacted West Bengal’s helpline numbers, but to no avail. Then, we contacted Himachal Pradesh Minister of Rural Development Virender Kanwar who provided us with dry ration,” Kumar said.

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After a constant struggle, the members were able to get the West Bengal government’s e-pass to return home. On May 14, they boarded a bus at Malda to Himachal Pradesh. The bus had brought some Malda residents from Solan district.

After taking a 1,850-km journey for 55 hours, all 19 members have been placed in quarantine near Proyian Kalan village. “My mother Raj Kumari did not go to West Bengal. I could not see her even after my return to Himachal Pradesh after eight weeks due to fear of the virus. I want to see her from a distance if possible,” Kumar said.

“Our samples will be taken for testing for coronavirus in the next few days and we will be allowed to go home after 14 days in quarantine,” Kumar said.