Tharoor lauds Pak 'Bajrangi Bhaijaans' for taking care of Geeta

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday expressed his gratitude to Bilquis Edhi, wife of the Abdul Sattar Edhi, for being like a 'naani' (grandmother) to Geeta when she was in Pakistan.

Geeta, the speech and hearing impaired Indian woman living in Pakistan after accidentally crossing the border over a decade ago, arrived in New Delhi today accompanied by members of the Edhi foundation and was welcomed by the Indian officials, Pakistan diplomats and her kin to much fanfare.

"I am very happy that she is back. But it will be a happier moment for everyone when the definitive proof of her identity along with that of her kin is revealed. We should thank the Pakistani Bajrangi Bhaijaan's, in this case, the 'naani' Bilquis Edhi who brought her up these last several years," Tharoor told ANI here.

He branded the entire saga as a heart-warming story of 'humanity triumphing over the borders that divide us.'

Dressed in a red salwar suit, Geeta came out of the IGI airport today surrounded by officials and waved to the cheering crowd who had been waiting for her arrival.

Manzoor Ali Memon, Media head of Pakistan High Commission, and Ayesha Ahsan, Political Counsellor at the Pakistan High Commission, received Geeta on behalf of the Pakistan High Commission.

"A daughter returns home. Geeta arrives in New Delhi accompanied by members of Edhi Foundation," Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted on her arrival.