New Delhi. Oct. 26: In the span of nine hours today, 23-year-old Geeta flew in an aircraft for the first time, rejected an Indian couple's claim that she was their daughter, appeared for a DNA test and found herself shuttled between Indian and Pakistani government ceremonies.
The deaf-and-mute girl had accidentally strayed into Pakistan from India 14 years ago, according to social workers who have supported her for the past seven years, and was returning to her "homeland".
But her return before seemingly ceaseless flashes of camera bulbs was marked equally by a gentle joust between India and Pakistan for credit over the girl's safety and well-being, the rivals more familiar with battles along the border and on the cricket field.
From Sunday night till Monday evening, India and Pakistan tried to outdo each other in claiming Geeta's return as their success, also using the opportunity to send across subtle messages for their neighbour to pick up.
"Our innocent daughter is back," foreign minister Sushma Swaraj exclaimed at a media interaction 3pm today, flanked by Geeta. Also present was Bilkis Edhi, who along with husband Abdul Sattar run a foundation for destitute children in Karachi.
The couple have parented the girl - who was given the name Fatima at a children's home in Lahore where she was first kept - since 2008. "I told Bilkis, you are her Ammi, and I too am her Ma," Sushma said.
Geeta met a family from Bihar whom she says she recognised from photos sent by the Indian high commission in Pakistan.
Sushma said if a DNA test proves the family was not hers, she would be sent to a temporary home run by a charity and the search for her parents would continue.
Earlier around 10am, after Geeta's Pakistan International Airlines flight landed in New Delhi, Pakistan high commission spokesperson Manzoor Ali Memon and political counsellor Ayesha Ahsan met her at the airport.
Memon reminded India that Pakistan, too, expected New Delhi to release its prisoners in Indian jails, some of them with mental disabilities.
In Islamabad, foreign office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah emphasised that Geeta's return was "facilitated by the Government of Pakistan". "We wish Ms Geeta well," Khalilullah said.
A reception Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit had promised to host for Geeta and the Edhi family was called off because of the earthquake in Afghanistan that also claimed lives in Pakistan.
Instead, Geeta met Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening at his residence. "Welcome Geeta," Modi said. "It is truly wonderful to have you back home. Was truly a delight to spend time with you today."
Both Modi and Sushma thanked the Edhis, the Prime Minister for "taking care of Geeta" and the foreign minister for also "helping her preserve her religion (Hinduism)". Modi also announced a Rs 1-crore donation for the Edhi foundation.
Geeta's story found echoes in Bajrangi Bhaijaan in which Salman Khan plays an Indian do-gooder who finds a mute Pakistani girl and tries to reunite her with her family. The scriptwriters of this July's blockbuster were unaware of Geeta's tale but the film led to a surge in interest.
