Raksha bandhan: Stranded in a distant land, Geeta finds a 'brother'
Geeta celebrated Raksha Bandhan at the Edhi centre in Karachi and tied Rakhi on to Faisal Edhi's wrist
Geeta ties a Rakha on Faisal Edhi's hand. PHOTO: EDHI FOUNDATION
KARACHI:
For Geeta, stranded in a foreign land for past 13 years, the festival of Raksha Bandhan may have passed as any other day. But she has now found a brother in her custodian, Faisal Edhi.
The annual Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan, where sisters tie a thread 'Rakhi' around their brother’s hand to commemorate the bond between sisters and brothers, was celebrated across the country on Saturday.
Read: A day in the life of Geeta
At the Edhi center in Mithadar, the happy and smiling Geeta, unaware of the whereabouts of her original family, tied a red colored ‘Rakhi’ around the wrist of Faisal and treated him with sweets.
Faisal, reciprocating as a brother must, gave her gifts of clothes, jewelry and an envelope with some cash.
“She was very happy and so am I. She is my sister,” Faisal said, as the bond of a brother and sister superseded any religious sentiments.
Geeta told The Express Tribune that Faisal and his wife had taken her to the Swami Narayan Mandir four days ago where she prayed to the deities. And that is where she bought the Rakhi for Faisal.
The deaf and mute girl was handed over to the Edhi Foundation by the Punjab Rangers after they found her on the Pakistan side of the border by mistake some thirteen years ago.
Read: Narrowing the search: Four families lay claim to Geeta
She was first taken to the Edhi Centre in Lahore, but was later moved to the charity's shelter in Karachi. There Bilquis Edhi first named her 'Fatima'. But after realising that she was Hindu, she was renamed as ‘Geeta.’ Bilquis has now become quite close to the girl.
After hearing her story, Indian government is trying to locate Geeta's real family in order to reunite them.
Her story bears striking resemblance to the recent Salman Khan-starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
Read: Activists seek to reunite Indian girl with family
Following the success of the Bollywood film, activists on both sides have redoubled efforts to reunite Geeta with her family. Activist Ansar Burney, who had first raised her issue three years ago during a visit to India, is now running an active campaign for her.
Court summons Geeta
Meanwhile Geeta has been summoned by the Sessions Judge South to appear before the court on Monday.
According to Faisal, they have received a notice on Saturday evening asking Geeta to present before the court on August 31 at 9am.
The move has been taken on the application of a lawyer Momin Malik. Malik, who claims to be an Indian lawyer, had requested the court to acquire Geeta’s blood and DNA samples so he could take them back to India to trace her family, and match with the sample of those who are claiming to be her loved ones.
Faisal added that the lawyer has sought help from the Indian High Commission and had come to them through an official channel.
For Geeta, stranded in a foreign land for past 13 years, the festival of Raksha Bandhan may have passed as any other day. But she has now found a brother in her custodian, Faisal Edhi.
The annual Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan, where sisters tie a thread 'Rakhi' around their brother’s hand to commemorate the bond between sisters and brothers, was celebrated across the country on Saturday.
Read: A day in the life of Geeta
At the Edhi center in Mithadar, the happy and smiling Geeta, unaware of the whereabouts of her original family, tied a red colored ‘Rakhi’ around the wrist of Faisal and treated him with sweets.
Faisal, reciprocating as a brother must, gave her gifts of clothes, jewelry and an envelope with some cash.
“She was very happy and so am I. She is my sister,” Faisal said, as the bond of a brother and sister superseded any religious sentiments.
Geeta told The Express Tribune that Faisal and his wife had taken her to the Swami Narayan Mandir four days ago where she prayed to the deities. And that is where she bought the Rakhi for Faisal.
The deaf and mute girl was handed over to the Edhi Foundation by the Punjab Rangers after they found her on the Pakistan side of the border by mistake some thirteen years ago.
Read: Narrowing the search: Four families lay claim to Geeta
She was first taken to the Edhi Centre in Lahore, but was later moved to the charity's shelter in Karachi. There Bilquis Edhi first named her 'Fatima'. But after realising that she was Hindu, she was renamed as ‘Geeta.’ Bilquis has now become quite close to the girl.
After hearing her story, Indian government is trying to locate Geeta's real family in order to reunite them.
Her story bears striking resemblance to the recent Salman Khan-starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
Read: Activists seek to reunite Indian girl with family
Following the success of the Bollywood film, activists on both sides have redoubled efforts to reunite Geeta with her family. Activist Ansar Burney, who had first raised her issue three years ago during a visit to India, is now running an active campaign for her.
Court summons Geeta
Meanwhile Geeta has been summoned by the Sessions Judge South to appear before the court on Monday.
According to Faisal, they have received a notice on Saturday evening asking Geeta to present before the court on August 31 at 9am.
The move has been taken on the application of a lawyer Momin Malik. Malik, who claims to be an Indian lawyer, had requested the court to acquire Geeta’s blood and DNA samples so he could take them back to India to trace her family, and match with the sample of those who are claiming to be her loved ones.
Faisal added that the lawyer has sought help from the Indian High Commission and had come to them through an official channel.