It is heartening to know that there are groups like the Edhi Foundation in a country that has provided a breeding ground for fundamentalists. It is also commendable that the NGO allowed her to grow up as a Hindu. When talks between the two governments seem to be reaching a dead end, maybe it is time to encourage NGOs and social welfare groups to work in harmony and set up their own ‘back channel’. Meaningful people-to-people contacts can thus be encouraged without much publicity.
Padmini Raghavendra,
Secunderabad
Geeta’s return qualifies to be called a real ‘ ghar vaapsi ’. (“ >A daughter comes home ,” Oct.28). However, I concur with the argument that the homecoming has been overly hyped in the media and that the scrutiny she has faced has caused difficulties in identifying her real parents. That should not stop us from admiring Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj for her efforts and appreciating the Edhi Foundation for its assistance to her. The NGO showed altruism towards the Indian girl and took care of her for 15 years despite the two countries not being on good terms.
Azhar A. Khan,
Rampur, Uttar Pradesh
The fairy-tale homecoming given to Geeta is a heartening development. However, the media hype and the publicity glitz could have been avoided to protect her privacy. Geeta’s return can be a happy moment only if a reunion with her family materialises soon. That the Edhi Foundation preferred not to accept the donation from the Indian government is laudable. What Geeta needs now is love and care.
P.K. Varadarajan,
Chennai
