Mumbai NGO writes to Sushma Swaraj, expresses interest to treat Indian woman stuck in Pakistan

Mumbai-based NGO Josh Foundation has written to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, saying it is keen to treat the 22-year-old deaf and mute Indian woman who has been stuck in Pakistan for over a decade.
In the letter, doctors have applauded Swaraj for her efforts to get Geeta back to her home country to be reunited with her family.

NGO founders Dr Jayant Gandhi, ENT surgeon, and Devangi Dalal, audiologist and speech therapist, have appealed to the government to let them treat Geeta for her impairment.

"This is something which is closest to our heart. With proper diagnose and rehabilitation, we will be able to help her hear and talk. We will provide her with the latest hearing gadgets," said Dalal.

Geeta, who accidentally crossed over to Pakistan and was found by Pakistan's Punjab Rangers, has been living with a philanthropist family near Karachi.

Gandhi said, "Someone who is hearing-impaired generally tends to have some residual hearing left. Chances are that even Geeta might... we can treat her for the same."

Pakistani human rights activist Ansar Burney has been trying for years to reunite the young woman with her family. She was found at Lahore railway station as a little girl, believed to be seven or eight years old at the time.

Geeta got a chance to meet the Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan after a request from Swaraj. Human rights activist Bilqees Edhi has circulated Geeta's pictures and videos in India in the hope of locating her family and finally bringing her home.