In today’s digital landscape, technology has revolutionized the way we connect, share and discover. A remarkable story from across the Indian-Pakistani border illustrates the profound impact of social media and online platforms.
Hamida Bano was tricked into moving to Pakistan 22 years ago, where she said she was “living like a corpse” as she was unable to reach her family in India.
In 2022 he was contacted by a recruitment agent who offered to arrange for him a job in Dubai. In return the agent asked him to give Rs 20,000. However, he was brought to the Pakistani city of Hyderabad instead of Dubai. He was kept under house arrest for three months.
“I was deceived and taken to Pakistan with the promise of Dubai. I endured (separation) for 23 years,” he told reporters.
Banu married a street vendor in Karachi who died during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He recalled the details in his 2022 video interview and his story made headlines in July, the same year, when Khalfan Shaikh, an Indian journalist, watched a YouTube interview conducted by Waliullah Maroof, a Pakistani social media activist. Sheikh later shared the video on his platform.
Back in India, Banu’s grandson saw the video and informed the family. Sheikh and Maroof later arranged a call between Banu and her family in India.
“How are you? Do you recognize me? Where have you been all these years?” His daughter Yasmin was seen asking him questions on the video call.
Banu replied, “Don’t ask me where I was and how I am. I miss you all very much. I didn’t stay here on my own will, I had no other choice.”
After reaching India on Monday, Banu was happy to be back with her children and siblings, but she did not anticipate that a two-year-old video would play a crucial role in bringing her back home after two years.
“My video was shared two years ago. I was not sure whether I would be able to reach India or not. But the Indian Embassy called me a year ago and said you can go back. My brother there (in India), There are sisters, children, but I don’t want to be a burden on anyone”, she said.
There is a long history of conflict between India and Pakistan and his identity was extensively investigated before his Indian nationality was confirmed in October.
