The family members of Pravash Ranjan Samal, who was abducted and kept as a hostage by an extremist group in libya, were overjoyed here on Thursday afternoon after receiving the news of his release and his arrival in New Delhi.
Mother of Pravash, who was not told about the abduction of Pravash till Thursday by his family members here, was informed about the abduction and about his release simultaneously. She was speechless after hearing about the incident. The family members are now anxiously waiting for his arrival here at Rourkela.
"Today afternoon when I was working in my office, at around 1 am, I received a call in my mobile from my brother-in-law, who stays at Keonjhar, and he told me that Pravash has been released and he has already reached New Delhi, which is being telecast on TV," said Bibhu Padarabinda Nayak, brother of Pravash Ranjan Samal.
Significantly, although Pravash is brother of Bibhu, he is the adopted son of his maternal uncle and accordingly his surname has been changed to Samal. "I rushed to TV room of my office but by that time the programme was over. I immediately contacted my wife Manasi and informed about Pravash's arrival in Delhi and asked her to watch TV for confirmation. Thereafter, I immediately reached my house and watched DD news at 2 pm in which I saw my brother and after getting confirmed about the arrival of Pravash at New Delhi, we informed my mother, to whom we had not yet informed about the abduction of Pravash," Bibhu added.
"My mother was overjoyed with the news of his release and his arrival at New Delhi. On hearing the news and seeing my brother, my mother kissed the television. " said Bibhu. "We are now relieved and overjoyed and thankful to God for the great respite," Bibhu said. Shanti lata Nayak, mother of Pravash Ranjan, said, "I thank almighty for the safe release of my son and now eagerly waiting for his arrival here in front of me."
According to his family members, Pravash, however, has not made any contact with his family members, after his arrival at New Delhi. "After reaching at Delhi, Pravash has not contacted us so far and we do not know the reason of same," said his brother Bibhu. "But, we are extremely elated to know about his release and we are sure, he will soon arrive here at Rourkela to meet all of us," Bibhu said. Bibhu works in the office of the Rourkela Superintendent of Police.