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Saroo BrierleyIndian man finds his family after 25 years of separation.
Date of Birth: 01.01.1981
Country:  Australia |
Content:
- Saroo Brierley: A Journey of Rediscovery
- Lost and Alone in Kolkata
- A Devastating Loss
- Adoption and a New Home
- The Search Begins
- Google Earth Leads the Way
- The Reunion and Its Impact
Saroo Brierley: A Journey of Rediscovery
Early Life and SeparationSaroo Brierley, an Indian native, was born in 1981 in the Madhya Pradesh region of India. Facing severe poverty, his family struggled to make ends meet. Saroo began working at a young age, assisting his older brothers in cleaning railway carriages.
During one fateful day, his brother left five-year-old Saroo unsupervised in a train carriage, promising to return shortly. However, Saroo fell asleep and awoke to find himself alone in an unfamiliar city.
Lost and Alone in Kolkata
Realizing he was far from home—an estimated 1500 kilometers away—Saroo attempted to return by train. Unfortunately, each attempt ended in him being returned to Kolkata.
For several weeks, he lived on the railway station, desperately searching for a way back home. He found shelter in an orphanage, where he was deemed a lost child.
A Devastating Loss
Tragically, on the same day Saroo was left behind, his brother was struck by a train. Their mother, already mourning the loss of her husband, was now left with two missing sons.
Adoption and a New Home
Fate intervened when Saroo was adopted by an Australian couple, the Brierleys. He moved to Hobart, Tasmania, and grew up as an Australian boy.
Despite his new life, Saroo never forgot the train that had separated him from his family. His adoptive mother hung a map of India in his room to remind him of his roots.
The Search Begins
As the years passed, Saroo's desire to find his family intensified. With limited childhood memories and the help of technology, he embarked on a remarkable journey using Google Earth.
Google Earth Leads the Way
Saroo calculated the possible distance the train had traveled and meticulously searched for landmarks. He stumbled upon the name "Khandwa," his hometown. Using Google Earth, he even identified a fountain near the railway tracks where he used to play.
Armed with this information, Saroo traveled to India and made his way to Khandwa. Inquiries led him to his mother's house, where he was reunited with his siblings—a brother and sister.
The Reunion and Its Impact
Saroo's story captured the attention of the international media. He regularly visits his family in India and has written a book titled "A Long Way Home."
The team behind the award-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" has also expressed interest in adapting Saroo's extraordinary tale for the big screen.
