Ehsaas, the young woman who became known across India as the “Mowgli Girl” after being discovered alone in a forest in Uttar Pradesh in 2017, has died at the age of 18 following years of medical care and rehabilitation.
Officials said Ehsaas passed away on June 15 at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) in Lucknow. According to the post-mortem report, the cause of death was septicaemia resulting from a lung-related illness.
Found Alone in Katarniaghat Forest
Ehsaas first drew national attention in January 2017 when she was found wandering near the Motipur range of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Bahraich district.
At the time of her rescue, she appeared to have had minimal interaction with human society. She moved on all fours, avoided human contact, communicated through gestures and sounds, and was uncomfortable wearing clothes.
Her unusual circumstances led many to compare her to Mowgli, the fictional jungle child from Rudyard Kipling’s famous stories. As a result, she became widely known as the “Mowgli Girl.”
A New Life and a New Identity
After her rescue, the Child Welfare Committee initially named her Pooja. She was later renamed Ehsaas and shifted to Nirvan Rajkiya Bal Grih Visheshikrit in Lucknow, where she spent most of her life receiving care and support.
Medical experts, caregivers and rehabilitation specialists worked with her for several years to help her adapt to life in a social environment.
Remarkable Progress Through Rehabilitation
According to caregivers, Ehsaas made significant progress over the years.
She gradually learned to wear clothes, recognize familiar faces and respond positively to affection and daily interactions. One of her strongest emotional bonds was with caretaker Rani, whom she lovingly called “Amma.”
Rani recalled their relationship with affection, saying she always hoped Ehsaas would continue to improve and live a fuller life.
Her journey became a symbol of compassion, rehabilitation and the impact of long-term care for vulnerable children.
Ongoing Health Challenges
Despite years of rehabilitation, doctors found that Ehsaas had severe developmental limitations. Medical assessments indicated that her brain remained significantly underdeveloped, resulting in intellectual disabilities.
She also experienced recurrent epileptic seizures and required ongoing medical treatment.
Earlier this month, she was admitted to hospital on June 8 after her health deteriorated. She was discharged on June 11 following improvement but was rushed back to hospital on June 15 when her condition worsened again.
Despite medical efforts, she passed away shortly after arriving at the facility.
A Story India Will Remember
For many people, Ehsaas remained the “Mowgli Girl” discovered in a forest nearly nine years ago. For the caregivers who supported her every day, she was much more than a headline.
Her life reflected both the challenges faced by children with complex developmental conditions and the transformative power of care, rehabilitation and human connection.
Though her journey began under extraordinary circumstances, Ehsaas leaves behind a legacy of resilience that touched countless lives across the country.
