Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Oct 10: Social media, despite their numerous pitfalls, can sometimes turn out to be a boon. In one such case, a random post on Facebook has rekindled the hopes of a son desperately searching for his missing father.

Sridhar Acharya, a resident of Nagoor, Kundapur has left no stone unturned to find his father who went missing in the crowd when the family visited Tirupati fair two years ago.

The family of Nagappaya Acharya (62), of Tenkabettu, Nagoor, had gone to attend the Tirupati fair on September 22, 2015. Nagappaya Acharya and their two relatives were waiting in a queue for 'darshan' of the deity. As the people moved forward, the gate was closed. When the gate opened, Nagappa Acharya was missing. Nobody knew where he went or how he got lost in the crowd.

The family started searching for him through all possible means. They advertised in newspapers and informed the police. But two years on, there has been no trace of him.

But now, a picture of Nagappaya Acharya in a Facebook post has sparked the family's hope of seeing him again. In the picture posted by a lady on October 7, Acharya is seen huddled in a helpless condition, with a caption stating in Kannada "Will you do this to your parents when they grow old?". Sridhar Acharya came across the post, and on realizing the man was his father, he was moved to tears. He then tried to gather more information on where the picture was taken.

Sadly, though, he was unable to get more information, as the post was apparently a much-shared viral picture. He has not been able to locate the source of the picture, the photographer or the place where it was clicked. The caption in Kannada however indicates that Acharya may be somwhere within Karnataka.

Sridhar has requested people to help him trace his father.

Those who can identity the spot in the picture, or have any information regarding either the photo or Nagappaya Acharya are requested to contact Sridhar on 9591463406 or 9901057406.