Assam Woman Rescued in Mumbai After Journey to Meet Salman Khan, Reunited With Family

Mumbai, July 14, 2026: A 55-year-old woman from Assam who travelled alone to Mumbai hoping to seek financial help from Bollywood actor Salman Khan has been rescued by the Social and Evangelical Association for Love (SEAL) Ashram and reunited with her family after receiving medical care and counselling.

Jyotsna Begum was found near Carter Road in Bandra during SEAL Ashram's annual monsoon rescue drive for homeless and destitute persons. Social workers noticed her asking passers-by for Salman Khan's address, believing the actor would help her overcome her family's financial hardships.

"Our social workers found her during the rescue drive and brought her to our Ashram," said K.M. Philip, founder of SEAL Ashram. He explained that Begum, who had travelled by train from Assam with very little money, had become exhausted and disoriented after arriving in Mumbai.

Dr. Abraham Mathai, former Vice-Chairman of the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission, said Begum had undertaken the journey after reading that Salman Khan often helped people in need. Knowing only that the actor lived in Bandra, she set out alone in the hope of receiving financial assistance.

During counselling sessions at SEAL Ashram, Begum revealed that she came from a poor family near Guwahati and was the primary caregiver for her children. She received medical treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation at the organisation's shelter in New Panvel until her physical and emotional condition improved.

After efforts to trace her relatives, SEAL Ashram successfully reunited Begum with her family in Assam.

Begum was among 51 homeless and destitute individuals rescued during the organisation's annual monsoon outreach programme, with 12 of them reunited with their families.

Commending the work of SEAL Ashram, Dr. Mathai said the organisation is constructing a hospital at its Panvel campus to strengthen medical services for rescued residents and the surrounding community.

Founded in 1999, SEAL Ashram has rescued thousands of abandoned, homeless, and mentally ill persons from the streets across India. Over the past 26 years, the organisation has reunited more than 700 missing individuals with their families in over 25 states while providing shelter, medical care, psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term support to hundreds of vulnerable people.

The rescue of Jyotsna Begum highlights the continuing need for compassionate outreach to people in distress and the vital role faith-inspired organisations play in restoring dignity, hope, and family bonds to some of society's most vulnerable members.

Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle