Geeta, Indian Who Was Stranded in Pak, Remembers 'Edhi Sahab'

Indore: Geeta, the deaf and mute woman, who returned to India last October after being stranded in Pakistan for 13 years, today expressed deep sorrow over the demise of legendary Pakistani philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi.

Mr Edhi, who had dedicated his life to humanity and serving the poor and was widely respected in Pakistan due to his humanitarian and social welfare works, had taken care of Geeta during her over a decade-long stay in Pakistan.

"Edhi Saheb loved me like a father and used to take very good care of me," Geeta told government officials through sign language, who on her behalf issued a press release.

Recalling her association with Mr Edhi, she said that during her stay in Pakistan, Mr Edhi had provided a separate room to her for accommodation and respecting her religious beliefs, he had also made idols of Hindu gods and goddesses available to her for worshipping.

Mr Edhi breathed his last at a hospital in Karachi late last night. A huge number of mourners today flocked at a stadium in Karachi in Pakistan to bid their last adieu to Mr Edhi, the co-founder of Edhi Foundation, according to reports.

The hearing and speech impaired girl was 7 or 8 years old when she had accidentally crossed over to Pakistan and was found sitting alone in the Samjhauta Express at Lahore station by the Pakistan Rangers 15 years ago. She was then adopted by Edhi Foundation.

After her return to India, Geeta has been staying at an NGO for the speech and hearing impaired in Indore. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had met Geeta last December here and assured her that the government was making every effort to trace her parents.