How Social Media Video Reunited Indian-Origin Woman with Her Family

Nowadays, technology has transformed the way we connect, communicate, and discover information. A mind- blowing story that unfolds across the Indian-Pakistani border highlights the deep power of social media and online platforms.

Hamida Banu was cheated into traveling to Pakistan 22 years ago, where she later described her life as "living like a corpse" due to her inability to communicate with her family in India.

In 2022, a recruitment agent approached Banu with the offer to secure a job opportunity in Dubai, for which she had to pay 20,000 rupees. However, instead of being taken to Dubai, she was brought to Hyderabad, Pakistan, and restricted to a house for 3 months.

"I was deceitfully taken to Pakistan by promising Dubai. I tolerated [the separation] for 23 years," Banu stated to the journalists.

Banu was married to a street vendor in Karachi, who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a video interview in 2022, Banu recounted her trial and tribulation, and her story gained attention in July of the same year. That video was noticed by Indian journalist Khalfan Shaikh, who saw it on a YouTube interview which was conducted by Waliullah Maroof, a Pakistani social media activist. 

Shaikh then shared the video on his own social media platform. Back in India, Banu’s grandson came across the video and informed his family about the situation. In no time, Shaikh and Maroof facilitated a video call between Banu and her family in India.

"How are you? Do you recognize me? Where have you been all these years?" Yasmin, her daughter, asked her during the phone call.

"Don’t ask me where I’ve been or what I’ve been through. I missed you all so much. I didn’t want to stay here; I had no other option," Banu said to her.

After returning to India on Monday, Banu was extremely happy to reunite with her children and siblings. However, she never imagined that a two-year-old video would play such a significant role in bringing her home to her family after such a long time.

"My video was shared two years ago. I was not sure if I would reach India. But the Indian embassy called me one year ago, saying you can go back. I have brothers, sisters, children there [in India], but I don't want to be a burden on anyone", she stated.

India and Pakistan have a large history of conflict, and extensive checks were carried out to verify her identity before her Indian nationality was confirmed in October.

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