The Old Man of Germany in Raiganj

By Kaushik Chatterjee

Dieter Holzer, an old German from Bad Waldbad Der of Germany is now in smiles as he is sure that he is returning to his hometown, 8000 km away from Raiganj. It’s just a few hours left, after which this old German will travel to his homeland from Kolkata. Before that, he will reach Kolkata via an Ambulance from Raiganj. However, the happiness is being made blurry by the warm care and affection shown by the medical staffs of Raiganj Hospital’s CCU. Mr. Holzer is thus rubbing his tears every moment feeling the miss. The DM of Raiganj Smt. Ayesha Rani and the Hospital Super Dr. Gautam Mandal had already met the septuagenarian German. He was also given warm clothes, shoes as gifts.

Earlier last Friday the man was found at Shaktinagar of Raiganj. He was in torn and soiled clothes, with a little knapsack. Local people became suspicious after watching a foreign stranger in Raiganj town. They immediately informed Raiganj Police Station. Police recovered only three 2 thousand rupee notes, a passport sized photo of the man, a shirt, and a pant. An NGO admitted the sick old man at Raiganj Hospital. He tried to communicate in his mother tongue but failed to make anyone understand his words. He tried to explain that he got down at Malda Station and was lost his belongings. However, how he came to Raiganj was unknown till date. The administration contacted the German Embassy in Kolkata. The secretary of the NGO, which helped Dieter Holzer get admitted in the hospital was blessed several times whenever she came to see him enquire about his health. Mr. Holzer also sang in German many times. It was a really a pleasant experience for the people here in the hospital. The German Embassy will receive Dieter Holzer and will interrogate him. His lost passport will also be made and they will further contact his family members back in Germany.

At last the moment of farewell came. Dieter Holzer hugged the ward attendant Kaushik and Munna and said ‘I love India”. It’s a reward for Raiganj. Well Done Raiganj. The siren hooted and away the ambulance went towards Diater’s known path to home. For a long long time, Diater will be remembered by the people of Raiganj, who helped this old man from Germany reach his fatherland.

Photo: Kaushik Chatterjee (Raiganj)
Edited By R. Subrata (TNI Siliguri)