Friend forgot Rs 1,000 loan, but this Kerala man travelled more than 1,200 km to repay it with interest after over 30 years; here’s how he used Google to track down his former colleague
Ismail’s remarkable journey has been widely praised, with many hailing him as a rare example of honesty, gratitude and friendship in the digital age, The New Indian Express reports.
The loan taken in Saudi Arabia remained unpaid for 31 years
The story dates back to the early 1990s, when Mohammed Ismail and Edla Lachanna worked together at a construction company in Saudi Arabia.
During a difficult financial period, Ismail borrowed 3,000 Saudi Riyals from Lachanna. Soon after, both men returned to India and eventually settled in their respective hometowns. Over the years, their communications ceased and the loan remained unpaid.
While Lachanna reportedly forgot about the money, Ismail never forgot the kindness shown to him. Even after more than three decades, he remained determined to repay his debt, according to The New Indian Express.
Google Maps and Gemini AI helped reunite two former colleagues
Having a vague memory that Lachanna belonged to Dharmapuri in Telangana’s Jagtial district, Ismail turned to modern technology to continue his research.
He used Google Maps and Google Gemini AI to narrow down the location before traveling from Palakkad in Kerala to Jagtial district via Hyderabad, The New Indian Express reported. After reaching the village, Ismail found Lachanna’s home, but learned that his former colleague was once again working in Saudi Arabia.
WhatsApp video call completes emotional reunion
Even though Lachanna was abroad, his family arranged a WhatsApp video call between the two men.
According to the report, Lachanna recognized Ismail immediately, even though 31 years had passed.
During the conversation, Ismail reminded him of the loan he had taken decades ago and insisted on paying it. He transferred Rs 25,000, which he thought was equivalent to the original loan amount, to Lachanna’s family through PhonePe.
The family says they were impressed by Ismail’s honesty
Lachanna’s family said they were touched by Ismail’s unexpected visit and his determination to fulfill his decades-long commitment.
According to The New Indian Express, Lachanna’s son Abhilash said: “We were surprised by her sincerity. I wasn’t even born when she borrowed money from my father.”
His wife Gangavva also expressed her gratitude and said that the family was deeply touched by Ismail’s honesty and sense of responsibility.
Story highlights how technology can reconnect lives
Beyond the emotional reunion, the incident also shows how digital tools can reconnect people separated by time and distance.
What started as a search using Google Maps and Gemini AI ended with the repayment of a long-forgotten loan and the revival of a friendship lost over three decades.
Inputs from TOI
