Sometimes fact can be inspired by fiction.
After the stellar success of Salman Khan starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan comes the real life story of Geeta, an Indian who was raised in Pakistan. 15 years ago, Geeta lost her way as a 7-year-old child.
Geeta, who is hearing and speech impaired, was spotted by Pakistani Rangers at Lahore Railway Station 15 years ago. She was handed over to an NGO called Edhi Foundation, run by Abdul Sattar Edhi and his wife Bilquis Edhi in Karachi.
Since she was not able even to giver her name out, Bilquis Edhi began calling her Geeta. In an article in The Indian Express, Pakistani social activist Ansar Burney claimed she was called Geeta because she was a devout Hindu even at that young age. Geeta was thus brought up by the Edhis in a syncretic atmosphere. While she eats vegetarian food, writes in Hindi and prays at a small shrine set up for her by Edhi, she also observes Ramzan and offers Namaz with the family.
According to information on the Facebook page set up to seek help, Geeta looks at the map of India and points to Jharkhand and Telangana. Geeta reportedly has four sisters and two brothers and remembers that she lived with her family in Jharkhand in house number 193.
The foundation claims they have tried to contact the Indian High Commission in Pakistan several times but got no response. But Geeta has got a fresh lease of hope after ‘Bhajrangi Bhaijan’. The film revolves around a speech-impaired girl from Pakistan who finds herself lost in India with no way to return home. Salman Khan plays the role of the Indian man who takes it upon himself to reunite her with her family in Pakistan.
On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted that India will bring back Geeta.
When Indian envoy to Pakistan TCA Raghavan called on Geeta along with his wife in Karachi, she broke down. The Pakistani media for one has greeted Geeta’s story with optimism. For instance, Pakistan-based daily The Dawn reported that Raghavan’s presence indicated that Geeta’s return home could pave way for resumption of India-Pakistan dialogue.
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