In at present’s digital panorama, expertise has revolutionised the way in which we join, share, and uncover. A outstanding story from throughout the Indian-Pakistani border illustrates the profound affect of social media and on-line platforms.
Hamida Banu was tricked into going to Pakistan 22 years again the place she stated she was “residing like a corpse” as she was unable to achieve out to her household again in India.
She was approached by a recruitment agent in 2022 who supplied to rearrange her a job in Dubai. In return, the agent requested her to pay 20,000 rupees. Nonetheless, as a substitute of Dubai, she was dropped at Hyderabad, a metropolis in Pakistan. She was detained in a home for 3 months.
“I used to be deceitfully taken to Pakistan by promising Dubai. I tolerated [the separation] for 23 years,” she advised journalists.
Banu married a avenue vendor in Karachi who died throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
In her 2022 video interview she recalled the main points and her story made headlines in July, the identical yr when an Indian journalist Khalfan Shaikh watched the Youtube interview carried by Waliullah Maroof, a Pakistani social media activist. Shaikh subsequently shared the video on his platform.
Again in India, Banu’s grandson noticed the video and knowledgeable the household. Afterward Shaikh and Maroof organized a name between Banu and her household in India.
“How are you? Did you recognise me? The place have been you all these years?” Yasmin, her daughter was seen asking her on the video name.
“Do not ask me the place I used to be, and the way I’ve been. I missed you all a lot. I did not keep right here willingly, I had no different alternative,” Banu replied.
After Banu reached India on Monday, she was completely happy to be again along with her youngsters and siblings, however she didn’t predict {that a} two yr outdated video can be elementary in bringing her again house two years later.
“My video was shared two years in the past. I used to be undecided if I’d attain India. However the Indian embassy known as me one yr in the past, saying you may return. I’ve brothers, sisters, youngsters there [in India], however I do not wish to be a burden on anybody”, she stated.
India and Pakistan share an extended historical past of battle and in depth checks on her id have been carried out earlier than her Indian nationality was confirmed in October.