Close X
Saturday, November 23, 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

    Supporters Of Jailed Saudi Blogger Start Foundation To Promote Free Speech

    Supporters Of Jailed Saudi Blogger Start Foundation To Promote Free Speech
     Supporters of jailed Saudi blogger Raif Badawi are starting a foundation in his name to promote freedom of expression worldwide and to support writers and journalists in the Arab world.

    Supporters Of Jailed Saudi Blogger Start Foundation To Promote Free Speech

    India Will Not Fire The First Bullet, Rajnath Singh Tells Pakistan Rangers

    The home minister also said India wants to engage in dialogues at different levels with Pakistan.

    India Will Not Fire The First Bullet, Rajnath Singh Tells Pakistan Rangers

    Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Assures Industry Of Graft-Free Environment

    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday invited industrialists to invest in various sectors, including education and health, in the national capital and assured them a corruption-free environment.

    Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Assures Industry Of Graft-Free Environment

    Kalburgi Killing: Where Is Freedom Of Speech, Ask Indian Scholars

    Kalburgi Killing: Where Is Freedom Of Speech, Ask Indian Scholars
    According to those who were closely associated with Kalburgi, the killing represents a worrying trend of silencing people for holding contrarian views.

    Kalburgi Killing: Where Is Freedom Of Speech, Ask Indian Scholars

    PM Modi Hits Out At Parliament Disruption, Asks Doctors To Focus On Wellness

    PM Modi Hits Out At Parliament Disruption, Asks Doctors To Focus On Wellness
    People of this country will never forgive political parties for their conduct in parliament. Some people, due to their ego, did not let the parliament function. This is most unfortunate

    PM Modi Hits Out At Parliament Disruption, Asks Doctors To Focus On Wellness

    2 Delhi Teenagers Held For Trying To Rape Minor And Shoot A Video Of The Incident

    2 Delhi Teenagers Held For Trying To Rape Minor And Shoot A Video Of The Incident
    Delhi Police on Thursday detained two teenaged boys for allegedly trying to rape a 15-year-old girl and shoot a video of the incident.

    2 Delhi Teenagers Held For Trying To Rape Minor And Shoot A Video Of The Incident