Indian woman missing for 22 years reunites with family after YouTube video | Trending

An Indian woman trafficked to Pakan over two decades ago finally returned to her homeland after her grandson spotted her in a YouTube video last year. Hamida Banu (YouTube/ Waliullah Maroof) Hamida Banu, 75, described her 22-year ordeal in Pakan as living “as a living corpse.” She was lured to the neighboring country in 2002 under the pretense of a job opportunity in Dubai, reported the BBC. “I was deceitfully taken to Pakan promising Dubai. I tolerated (the separation) for 23 years,” Banu told journals after crossing into India at a land border. Trafficked and trappedIn 2002, Banu, a widow supporting four children working as a cook in the Gulf countries, was approached a recruitment agent. She paid the agent 20,000 rupees ($250) for a job in Dubai but was instead taken to Hyderabad city in Pakan. She was held in a house there for three months before eventually marrying a street vendor in Karachi. Her husband passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Banu emphasized that he “never troubled” her during their marriage. A YouTube video sparks hopeBanu’s story gained attention in July 2022 when Pakani social media activ Waliullah Maroof interviewed her on YouTube. Indian journal Khalfan Shaikh came across the video and shared it, which u=ltimately reached Banu’s family in India. Her grandson, who had never met her, recognized her in the video. A call was arranged between Banu and her family, where an emotional reunion unfolded. Take a look at the video: “How are you? Did you recognise me? Where were you all these years?” her daughter Yasmin asked during the call. Banu replied, “Don’t ask me where I was and how I have been. I missed you all so much. I didn’t stay here willingly, I had no other choice.” Following the emotional call, both Indian and Pakani authorities conducted thorough identity checks to confirm her nationality. Her Indian citizenship was verified in October 2023, paving the way for her return. “My video was shared two years ago. I was not sure if I would reach India,” Banu said upon her return. “But the Indian embassy called me one year ago, saying you can go back.” Also read: Pakani national in Bengaluru detention centre stages hunger strike demanding deportation: Report Now back with her children and siblings, Banu expressed her gratitude but noted, “I don’t want to be a burden on anyone.” Her return marks the end of a long and painful chapter, offering her a chance to reunite with her family after years of separation.