Rourkela: A 46-year-old worker from Odisha’s Sundargarh district, who went missing while returning home from Goa, reunited with his family on Thursday evening after enduring a month-long ordeal that included theft, exploitation and destitution.Alexandar Barla, a resident of Balishankara area, had travelled to Goa two months ago with friends to work on a fishing boat after his family’s mud house was damaged in heavy rain.After falling ill, Barla decided to return home. His elder sister arranged a train ticket and he boarded a train from Goa on Sept 1. However, he never reached Sundargarh, leaving his family worried as they were unable to contact him.According to Barla, his luggage and money were stolen during the journey when the train passed through Chennai. Stranded without resources, he came in contact with a brick kiln owner, who took him to work at a kiln. Barla alleged that he was not paid for his labour and eventually left the place.With no money and no means of returning home, he survived by begging. After collecting enough money, he purchased a train ticket from Chennai and travelled to Jharsuguda. From there, he took a bus to his in-laws’ village at Tumulia before finally reaching home on Thursday evening.The emotional reunion brought tears of joy to family members, including his father, who had feared the worst after weeks without any information about his whereabouts.“I am happy that I have returned safely and reunited with my family,” Barla said.His family had been staying at his in-laws’ house after their clay house was damaged during heavy rainfall. Barla’s return has brought relief to the family after a month of uncertainty and anxiety.