Geeta meets Indian President Mukherjee

Geeta, a speech and hearing impaired woman who returned to India after being stranded in Pakistan for over a decade, met Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi, on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the President’s office.

The President gave his blessings to Geeta and said, “You are the daughter of both the countries, a symbol of India-Pakistan unity. God has listened to your prayers.”

She was accompanied by officials of Pakistan’s Edhi Foundation, who looked after her during her return trip to the neighbouring nation.

President Mukherjee also complimented and thanked Bilqis Bano Edhi and Edhi Foundation for the good work they were doing, the statement said. The 23-year-old returned home on Monday from Pakistan.  She was reportedly just 7 or 8 years old when she was found sitting alone on the Samjhauta Express by the Pakistan Rangers 15 years ago at the Lahore railway station.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2015.