After a hard days work, when everybody gets into bed for rest and peaceful sleep Nithya Sadasivam kept awake worrying about the fate of her lost family. She had no clues, no information and no contact with her husband and daughter since they got separated in 2006 during the ongoing civil strife in Srilanka. She was left with the other two children, it was difficult for her to spend the rest of her life without the knowledge of the rest of her family.

Mrs Sadasivam with her other two children

For Nithya Sadasivam the missing ones were her nearest ones, her husband and daughter. All she had were faded recollection of memories of meals eaten together, and the color of the dress her daughter wore when she last saw her.

In June 2011, Mrs Sadasivam registered a tracing request to trace Mr Suresh Sadasivam and Ms Lavani Sadasivam at the Indian Red Cross, Tamil Branch State Branch.

Additional information which could help to trace him was collected by the branch staff. Mrs Nithya informed the Indian Red Cross team that there was a possibility, that her missing husband and daughter may have moved to Netherlands.

It was a painful lonely battle for Mrs Nithya as she was residing in a refugee camp, with the other two children in search of her husband and daughter.

Mr Sadavsivam with his daughter

The only time loneliness made space for any other emotion in her sunken eyes, was the time when she tried to draw a picture of her grown up daughter in her mind. For a woman whose mind has been seared with troubling thoughts, the Red Cross seemed like a new friend.

Finally the Red Cross team in July 2011 was able to trace someone called “ Suresh Mathu”, who resembled the missing person’s photos. Without any further delay the team contacted him through an email, also giving him details about the whereabouts of his wife.

This information was also provided to Mrs Nithya in Chennai. The search had ended. The endless wait was over and the missing person was found. On the same day at 10.33 am through the Red Cross phone the team along with Mrs Nithya called her husband in Netherland. The call was answered by their daughter who was 11 years old now.

Mrs Nithya was talking to her child after six years. The conversation was punctuated with tears of joy and affection. A waiting mother had a lot to say to her lost child but words somehow, were not coming forth. Later, Mr Suresh Sadasivam was again contacted in Netherland through the Red Cross phone. Family link was re –established. Both were overwhelmed with emotions on being reunited by the Indian Red Cross after six long years of separation.

Mrs Nithya remarked, “Finally I found my husband and my beloved daughter through the Red Cross! “ God is in Red Cross.” A remark that explains wait, relief, thankfulness and gratitude all at the same time.

Family News Service- FNS Division, IRCS ( NHQ).