Close X
Sunday, November 24, 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

    Rahul Gandhi 'A Baby In Diapers', Says BJP

    Rahul Gandhi 'A Baby In Diapers', Says BJP
    The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday termed Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi "a baby in diapers", following his remarks that people would reduce Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "56-inch chest to 5.6 inches".

    Rahul Gandhi 'A Baby In Diapers', Says BJP

    Rs.17 Crore Goes Down The Drain At Modi's Washed Out Varanasi Event

    Rs.17 Crore Goes Down The Drain At Modi's Washed Out Varanasi Event
    As rains led to the cancellation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to his parliamentary constituency on Thursday, for the second time in the past one month, a staggering Rs.17 crore of the tax payer's money also has gone down the drain. Literally!

    Rs.17 Crore Goes Down The Drain At Modi's Washed Out Varanasi Event

    A La 'Amma Canteen', Delhi To Get 'Aam Aadmi Canteen'

    A La 'Amma Canteen', Delhi To Get 'Aam Aadmi Canteen'
    Delhi will soon get "Aam Aadmi Canteen" outlets where "good quality, hygienic and nutritious food" will be available for up to a maximum of Rs.10, it was announced on Thursday.

    A La 'Amma Canteen', Delhi To Get 'Aam Aadmi Canteen'

    Anil Ambani Announces Rs.5,000 Crore New Defence Investment

    Anil Ambani Announces Rs.5,000 Crore New Defence Investment
    With the recent acquisition of Pipavav Defence, Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani announced on Thursday that an additional investment of Rs.5,000 crore will be made as part of India's emphasis on "Make in India" for military hardware and cut imports.

    Anil Ambani Announces Rs.5,000 Crore New Defence Investment

    Why Narendra Modi Must Bite The Bullet On Madrasa Reforms

    Why Narendra Modi Must Bite The Bullet On Madrasa Reforms
    The Maharashtra government's decision to tag students of traditional madrasas as 'out-of-school' has put madrasa reforms back on the national discourse. 

    Why Narendra Modi Must Bite The Bullet On Madrasa Reforms

    Pakistan Says Indian 'Spy Drone' Shot Down, India Denies

    Pakistan Says Indian 'Spy Drone' Shot Down, India Denies
    Pakistan on Wednesday said an "Indian spy drone" was shot down by its army along the Line of Control in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India denied the claim, saying no such drone crashed or was shot down.

    Pakistan Says Indian 'Spy Drone' Shot Down, India Denies