External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has often been portrayed as the 'humane' face of the Narendra Modi government. Her humanitarian interventions, frequently via Twitter, for both Indians and foreigners, have made headlines. Now, over two years after she helped bring back from Pakistan an Indian girl who is unable to speak or hear, Swaraj will be vetting marriage proposals for her!
A sign-language expert appointed by the government put up a post on Facebook soliciting marriage proposals for Geeta. The post was put up on the page titled 'Reunite Geeta a Deaf girl with family’ on Tuesday evening. The post invited proposals from “Good smart Deaf Boy age above 25 years.’’
Geeta is mentioned as “India's Daughter” by Gyanendra Purohit and Monica Sharma Purohit, the couple who runs a social organisation Anand Service Society for hearing- and speech-impaired persons. The advertisement asks eligible bachelors to contact the Purohit couple.
Gyanendra, a sign-language expert and social worker, told THE WEEK that he has been asked by Swaraj to find a suitable match for Geeta. He said “We have received three serious proposals through video calls, which have been informed to Sushma Swaraj as she will take any decision on it.’’
Since Geeta's return to India in October 2015, the government has not been able to locate her family.
Earlier, according to media reports, Geeta had expressed interest in getting married. She had reportedly become unhappy over the last few months and even lost some weight.
Geeta was brought back from Pakistan in October 2015 and kept in Indore with an NGO. She is living in a children home since she was brought back to India after spending 14 years in Pakistan. Swaraj had made Geeta stay in Indore until her parents were located. The home has around 375 day scholars and 300 wards where classes are held as per the academic session.
Earlier, in a report the district administration sent to the external affairs ministry that was prepared by a special teacher appointed to communicate with Geeta, it was stated that she is unhappy. Geeta is reportedly unhappy over the fact that she could not find her parents even after more than 15 couples came to her claiming that she was their child. The Indore district administration has sent DNA samples of many couples for tests but none were found to be the biological parents of Geeta.
Geeta was found by Pakistani Rangers from the Samjhauta Express train when she was seven years old and lost her way. She was then taken care of by Pakistan's Edhi Foundation, a charitable organisation. It was after the efforts of the foundation and Swaraj's willingness that Geeta was handed back to India.
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 and provide information about her. She is not allowed to meet any stranger or media. Geeta is taught Hindi in the school specially meant for hearing- and speech-impaired children.