Close X
Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVT 
India

President Calls Geeta 'Symbol Of India-Pakistan Unity'

Darpan News Desk IANS, 27 Oct, 2015 11:27 AM
    A day after returning to India from Pakistan where she was stranded for years, speech and hearing impaired Geeta met President Pranab Mukherjee -- who called her "a symbol of India-Pakistan unity" -- and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and took a ride on Delhi Metro.
     
    "You are the daughter of both our countries, a symbol of India-Pakistan unity. God has listened to your prayers," Mukherjee told the 23-year-old when she called on him at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
     
    A Rashtrapati Bhavan statement said Mukherjee blessed Geeta, a Hindu who strayed into Pakistan when she was around 11 years old in 2003. Pakistan Rangers promptly handed her over to the Edhi Foundation that took care of her since then.
     
    Unable to explain who she was and from where she came, Geeta began living in Pakistan, and grew from a teenager to a young adult.
     
    The president also thanked Bilquis Bano Edhi and the Edhi Foundation for their good work in Pakistan.
     
    Before meeting the president, Geeta met Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, who asked her about her life in Pakistan and how she strayed into that country.
     
    At both meetings, Geeta was accompanied by members of Edhi Foundation.
     
     
    Geeta, who interacted with everyone with the help of a facilitator, later took a ride on Delhi Metro, travelling from the Civil Lines station in the city's north to Patel Chowk station in the heart of the capital.
     
    At the Patel Chowk station, she was taken around the Delhi Metro museum.
     
    On Monday, Geeta flew into New Delhi on Pakistan International Airlines to begin a new life on her home soil.
     
    Among the first people she called on were External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who had taken a keen interest on her return, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
     
    Modi thanked Bilquis Edhi, wife of Karachi-based Edhi Foundation founder Abdul Sattar Edhi, for taking care of Geeta in Pakistan. He also announced a Rs.1 crore rupee donation for the foundation.
     
    On Tuesday, the NGO declined to accept the money.
     
    "Edhi has thanked Modi and politely declined to accept his announced financial help," the Dawn quoted Edhi Foundation spokesman Anwar Kazmi as saying.
     
     
    "What the Edhi family has done is too priceless to be measured but I am happy to announce a contribution of Rs.1 crore for their foundation," Modi had tweeted on Monday.
     
    Edhi Foundation is a social welfare organisation known for its extensive social work.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Man Found Guilty Of Robbing, Raping, Killing Andhra Techie

    Man Found Guilty Of Robbing, Raping, Killing Andhra Techie
    A court here on Tuesday convicted a 39-year old man of robbing, raping, burning and killing a techie from Andhra Pradesh in January last year.

    Man Found Guilty Of Robbing, Raping, Killing Andhra Techie

    'Beef' Row: Police 'Raid' On Kerala House Triggers Political Storm

    'Beef' Row: Police 'Raid' On Kerala House Triggers Political Storm
    After calling the police action "unwarranted and unfortunate", Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking action against Delhi Police.

    'Beef' Row: Police 'Raid' On Kerala House Triggers Political Storm

    The Greatest Thing About India Is It's Secular, Inclusive: Photojournalist Steve McCurry

    The Greatest Thing About India Is It's Secular, Inclusive: Photojournalist Steve McCurry
    Steve McCurry, whose camera captured the haunting and iconic "Afghan Girl" for an NG cover, said "secularism and inclusiveness are one of the greatest things about India" although there could be contradictions about the country.

    The Greatest Thing About India Is It's Secular, Inclusive: Photojournalist Steve McCurry

    Geeta returns From Pakistan; Modi Gives Rs.1 Crore To Edhi For Caring For Her

    Geeta returns From Pakistan; Modi Gives Rs.1 Crore To Edhi For Caring For Her
    I don't think any amount of words are enough to thank the Edhi family for taking care of Geeta. They are apostles of kindness and compassion

    Geeta returns From Pakistan; Modi Gives Rs.1 Crore To Edhi For Caring For Her

    'Make in Punjab': Sukhbir Badal Says Punjab To Come Up With New Industrial Policy

    'Make in Punjab': Sukhbir Badal Says Punjab To Come Up With New Industrial Policy
    Addressing industrialists here, Badal said the state government was committed to attracting new industries and reviving the existing ones.

    'Make in Punjab': Sukhbir Badal Says Punjab To Come Up With New Industrial Policy

    Anger At Stephen Harper, Disenfranchisement Fuelled Turnout Of Aboriginal Voters

    Anger At Stephen Harper, Disenfranchisement Fuelled Turnout Of Aboriginal Voters
    Some aboriginal communities saw voter turnout spike by up to 270 per cent in the Oct. 19 election despite the Fair Elections Act which made it harder for someone to vote without approved identification.

    Anger At Stephen Harper, Disenfranchisement Fuelled Turnout Of Aboriginal Voters

    PrevNext