INTROSPECTION

Where is Geeta now ?

“Hindu and Muslims are all same. If you didn’t know my name or identity, would you be able to judge that I belong to a different religion? No, I’m sure…neither would I... Not until we observe each other’s customs and traditions”, Geeta conveyed using sign language.

Her thought process and the way she expressed it left me stunned. And the interview had not yet even begun!

As soon as I entered the Edhi foundation, a staff member directed me to her. The room above the building also accommodated a mandir where she could worship without any fuss. With every single step I took, a question popped into my mind. And then I saw this young girl, a vision of life with that sparkle in her eyes and a huge smile on her face, waiting for her visitor.

Geeta was staying comfortably with the founders of Edhi Foundation. She told me cheerfully about her religion and that she never felt like a stranger in Pakistan. She was also thankful to the people of Pakistan who treated her so well. Near the end of our conversation, however, she told us that she was desperately looking forward to see herself with her own family in India. Her prayers were finally heard when she left for India on October 26, 2015. We all were glad for her.

But then, the sudden disappearance of Geeta from the newspaper and television sets is a surprising turn of events. Where Islamabad had made it possible for her to return to her native land, India did not reciprocate the goodwill gesture. A new chapter of friendship should have begun between the neighbouring countries for all efforts that were made. But the hopes were shattered and nothing actually happened the way we wanted; the response was tepid. I wonder why this was the case.

The media in both the countries dropped the topic quickly as if it was not worth talking about.         So who suffered - the media, which has lost its TPRs, or Geeta, who now cannot share about her life over there? No one bothered to look into this afterwards. Would it have been any different if the girl in question wasn’t physically challenged? If this had happened in any other country, it would have been thoroughly analysed, shedding  light on the untold aspects of this story. Every story has a beginning, a climax, and a resolution; in Geeta’s story so far, we have seen the beginning and the climax while the resolution is still missing.

We have been hearing about the rivalry of the two nations since childhood. But I personally believe love can be instrumental in bringing about the change. People from both the sides are ready to turn over a new leaf, they are ready to believe that they can happily survive as friendly neighbours. Today, we share one platform in multiple fields and aspects no matter if its sports or media. We should better work on improving our relationship by teaching our kids, our youth, that we can live in peace without holding grudges against each other. All we need to do is to take an initiative – before it’s too late for anything. 

A few months back, a rumour was spread that Geeta had returned back to Pakistan. But according to a report, Geeta is still in India enjoying her time with her fellow Indians and family members and also missing her considerate protectors, Mr. and Mrs. Edhi, for their unconditional love and affection.

Every year, hundreds are arrested when they stray across the border, and securing their release is difficult because of the hostility between the two nations. I pray that no child ever suffers the pain of partition Geeta suffered.