Remember Geeta? The real-life Munni from movie ‘Bhajrangi Bhaijaan’ who returned to India after spending 15 years in Edhi foundation in Pakistan. While the movie had a happy ending with Munni reuniting with her parents, Geeta has not found her parents or a partner for life till date.
Living in an NGO Mook Badhir Sanghatan, Geeta was still unhappy and expressed her wish to move to another NGO named Anand Service Society. As per her wish, she was allowed to shift to the NGO.
Employees of the Social Justice Department shifted her to the NGO in Vijay Nagar under the supervision of the society hostel. As shared by Geeta, she was in touch with Purohit family from Anand Service Society, who understood her and helped her in returning to Indore.
In 2015, the then-Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj brought Geeta to India. Geeta was brought to India so that her parents would be searched and transported there.
Since then, his parents were being sought from the government level. Indore-based organizations working for the deaf and mute took responsibility to handle it.
Geeta lived with Mook Badhir for five years. The government was neither able to find her parents, nor was she getting married.
As shared by Mook Badhir representatives, most girls living in their NGO are in the age group of 18 to 20 years. Geeta is 29 years old and was not comfortable in the setup at NGO.
However, as shared by Geeta, she was missing the family atmosphere and was feeling lonely. “I was teased by everyone there, and nobody actually cared as such,” Geeta said.
Anand Service Society, run by sign language expert Gyanendra Purohit, will be new home for Geeta until she decides to get married or finds her parents.
Geeta has given her consent in writing for the shift.
Living with family: her first day interactions
At Anand Service Society, Geeta is staying with Purohit family. “She is like our daughter, and is staying with my family including my mother-in-law, husband and two sons,” Monica Purohit, heading the NGO, said.
She added that Geeta enjoys little tasks and is participating in all the household tasks willingly. “We took her for a fitness test as well, we will find out all her issues,” Monica said.
Through interaction in sign language, Geeta expressed her happiness and said, “I am happy about being in her new home.” She still hopes to be reunited with her parents.
As per records till date, nearly 10 families have claimed that Geeta was their daughter, but investigations have not confirmed anybody's claim so far.
Geeta will be rehabilitated with CBR method
As shared by Purohit family, they are rehabilitating Geeta using CBR (Community Based Rehabilitation) method. CBR was initiated by WHO following the Declaration of Alma-Ata in 1978 in an effort to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families; meet their basic needs; and ensure their inclusion and participation.
CBR is a strategy within community development for the rehabilitation, equalization of opportunities and social integration of all people with disabilities. There are five components (health, education, livelihoods, social and empowerment) each have five key elements which inform the implementation of CBR.
Both the components and their elements are underpinned by the principles of participation, inclusion, sustainability and self-advocacy.