India announces reward for helping Geeta unite with her parents

The deaf and mute girl returned to India in 2015

India has announced a reward of INR 0.1 million for anyone who helps Geeta, the deaf and mute girl who returned to the neighbouring country in 2015 after staying in Pakistan for over a decade, in uniting with her parents.

In a video appeal on Sunday, India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said there cannot be a better deed than helping a girl find her parents, and urged people to come forward, The Indian Express reported.

“We will give rupees 1 lakh to anyone who helps Geeta, find her parents,” Swaraj said.

#WATCH EAM Sushma Swaraj appeals people to help Geeta (Indian girl brought back from Pakistan in 2015 ) in finding her parents. pic.twitter.com/aQpg3CSL5Y

— ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2017

“At times she becomes very emotional and starts crying. My appeal to her parents - please come forward and take your daughter. I am assuring we will not let her become a burden on you,” she said with Geeta by her side.

“We will take care of her including her marriage and studies. Your daughter is desperate to meet you."

Swaraj said Geeta, who lived at Edhi Founation, Karachi, could be from Bihar or Jharkhand and requested chief ministers of both the states to ensure that her appeal is shown by all cable TV networks for the next seven days so that people come forward to help her.

Geeta was reportedly just seven or eight years old when she was found sitting alone on the Samjhauta Express by Rangers at the Lahore railway station.