Hyderabad: After more than four decades of separation and displacement, a remarkable reunion brought together over 1,500 people from various corners, reuniting them in the very village that had once been their home. Toyaguda in Bela tehsil in Adilabad district witnessed an emotional gathering of individuals who had been scattered far and wide 42 years ago, some even across state borders, but the bond they shared with the village and each other remained unbroken.
The reunion held special significance as it drew women who had married and settled in neighbouring Maharashtra, emphasising how strong the connection to their roots remained. “The joy is indescribable. There is nothing like meeting the people you grew up with,” said 53-year-old B Mamatha from Adilabad, who attended the reunion with her 80-year-old mother.
Not only did Mamatha get to reconnect with familiar faces, but she was also the only woman in the 12-member core committee responsible for organising the reunion in the village on Feb 10.
The event was a labour of love for the committee members, who pooled their own resources to provide lunch for the participants. Throughout the day, the men, women, and children took part in various cultural performances and sports events, relishing the chance to relive the vibrant energy of their shared past.
The village of Toyaguda had been submerged during the Sathnala Project in the early 1980s, forcing the residents to scatter. Yet, a small part of the village remains, including an old school, well, and temple that still stand proudly—silent witnesses to the memories and lives once lived there. These landmarks provided a powerful sense of continuity, drawing the attendees back to the heart of their childhood.
This reunion, which began in 2013, has since become an eagerly awaited tradition. “Everyone looks forward to the reunion, which is always announced in our WhatsApp group,” Mamatha shared. The reunion is a testament to the enduring unity among the villagers, who treat each other like family, regardless of the years or miles that have come between them.