‘Geeta’ symbol of India-Pakistan unity: President

New Delhi, October 27

Geeta, the mute and deaf Indian girl who returned home after being stranded in Pakistan for over a decade, on Tuesday met President Pranab Mukherjee here.

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

Geeta , the young speech and hearing impaired woman who returned to India after being stranded in Pakistan for over a decade called on the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan here, a press release issued by the President’s office said.

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

Mukherjee also complimented and thanked Bilqis Bano Edhi and Edhi Foundation for the good work they were doing, it said.

23-year-old Geeta returned home yesterday from Pakistan.

Geeta 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.

Geeta later took a ride on the Delhi Metro and also visited the Metro Museum here.

Accompanied by members of the Edhi Foundation, Geeta wore a constant smile and waved at the commuters who greeted her as she spent about an hour on the Metro network.

She travelled from the Civil Lines station to Patel Chowk station after earlier meeting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his residence here this morning.

At the Patel Chowk station, she was also taken around the Metro Museum that houses several exhibits related to the construction and operations of the city’s Metro network.

“She was briefed about the Metro Museum with the help of an interpreter,” a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation spokesperson said. — PTI