Deaf-mute girl Geeta, who was brought back from Pakistan in 2015 and kept in Indore with an NGO, has reportedly expressed desire to marry a “good boy” and settle. Geeta briefly went missing on Friday from the ‘Children Home’ meant for the deaf and mute.
According to sources, Monika Punjabi, director of Mook-Badhir Sangathan—the voluntary organization looking after Geeta—has written a letter to social welfare department saying that Geeta is not interested in studies and repeatedly asks to visit Viashno Devi shrine. In the letter, she said that Geeta has expressed desire to look for an educated and employed man whom she could settle down with. She has even started “troubling” her caretaker Phoolmati with her demands.
On Friday, high alert was sounded at three police stations of Indore after Geeta went missing. Leter, she was traced at Ranjit Hanuman Mandir area where she had gone without informing her caretaker.
Geeta has been in the custody of Mook-Badhir Sangathan since October 26, 2015 when she was brought back to India after her 14 years of stay in Pakistan. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had made Geeta stay in Indore until his parents were located.
During her stay in Indore, Geeta was not allowed to meet any stranger or media. She was taught Hindi in the school specially meant for deaf-dumb children.
Geeta was found by Pakistani Rangers from Samjhouta Express when she was seven-years-old and lost her way. She was then taken care of by Pakistan's charitable organisation, Edhi Foundation. It was the efforts of the foundation and willingness of Swaraj that Geeta was handed back to India. More than 15 couples have so far come forward claiming Geeta to be their daughter. However, none of them could prove that Geeta is their biological child.
Geeta is still waiting for her true parents and living in the deaf-mute home at Scehme 71 area in Indore. The home has around 375 day scholars and 300 wards, and classes are held as per the academic session.
Punjabi told media that Geeta usually goes to temple every day along with two-three people. This time she ventured a little ahead. She is accompanied by 2-3 tutors twenty-four hours so there is no question of her not being busy. Seeing many parents coming to drop their children at school might have made her depressed, said Punjabi.
Meanwhile no government official was ready to speak on the subject as the matter is directly being monitored by external affairs ministry. The entire episode of Geeta and claims of parents have been kept under a veil of secrecy as the administration does not allow anybody to meet her.
However, Additional District Magistrate of Indore Ajay Sharma, in a written order, has asked the NGO to facilitate counseling of Geeta and organise extra activities which she likes.
