Indian foreign minister promises to help Pakistani Hindu refugee girl
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NEW DELHI: Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday promised to help a Pakistani Hindu refugee girl seeking admission in an Indian medical college.
Mashal Maheshwari, a Pakistani Hindu girl living in India, was asked by Swaraj to contact her regarding the issues she is facing while striving to secure an admission in a medical college due to her Pakistani origin.
"Mashal - I am watching you on CNN News. Please contact me on Telephone : 011-23794344. I am waiting for your call," Sushma tweeted on Monday.
A day before, the Indian External Affairs Minister had assured the aspiring doctor that she will personally take up her case for admission in an Indian medical college.
"Mashal - Don't be disappointed my child. I will personally take up your case for admission in a Medical College" Swaraj had tweeted on May 29, Sunday.
On May 27, India's CNN News18 highlighted the issue of the Pakistani Hindu girl, whose family is living under refugee status in the Indian city of Jaipur since 2014 'after her father was attacked thrice in Pakistan'.
The report added Mashal is now facing issues in appearing for Pre-Medical Test (PMT), necessary for a medical college admission, despite scoring 91 per cent marks in her 12th grade board exams.
The girl's parents had asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and save her future. They had also written to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Health Minister JP Nadda, asking them to assist in the matter.
Also Read: 5,000 Hindus migrating to India every year, NA told
"I have always wanted to be a doctor like my parents but I cannot under these circumstances. There are two categories Indian citizens and as foreigners we would have to pay a huge fee which my parents cannot afford since we came from Pakistan in an emergency and left everything behind," Mashall told CNN News 18.
After Sushma's intervention, Mashal's mother told the same media house that she is happy the minister has assured of help to her daughter.
Mashal also thanked the minister and the Indian prime minister, urging them to do 'something very very soon' and 'within the time limit' of the admission process.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (80) Closed
May 30, 2016 09:16pm
Now this is brain drain, being used by other countries
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May 30, 2016 09:17pm
Horrible situation in Pakistan for minority, they compel to leave their motherland. Pakistan government should take note of it.
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May 30, 2016 09:25pm
Very sympathetic,very companionate,thank you Ma'am .
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May 30, 2016 09:28pm
There are a perhaps 600 million Hindus in India living in abject poverty but only this girl gets attention from Sushma Swaraj. I wonder why.
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May 30, 2016 09:29pm
I really commend Sushma swaraj for this gesture.A government by the people for the people.....
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May 30, 2016 09:29pm
@Point of view - Yes, this is not a nice situation for our minorities. Our government has failed on this count along with many other issues. But please do keep in perspective the minorities situation in India too.
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May 30, 2016 09:32pm
@Lafanga: Because she is facing direct institutional discrimination.
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May 30, 2016 09:33pm
@point of view yes they Pakistani government or governments are the cause of all these problems, I will say it this was the reason for Pakistan to mistreat people in the name of their superior religion
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May 30, 2016 09:34pm
Sushma Swaraj is the ONLY minister who is performing . All other Ministers are incompetent so they give more sound bytes than action, including PM modi.
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May 30, 2016 09:35pm
@Lafanga because you can not take care any of your minorities
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May 30, 2016 09:35pm
@Lafanga ...buddy don't get jealous.according to recent UN report poverty in India is diminishing fastest in the world .it is reduced from 45percent to 22percent for your knowledge.....
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May 30, 2016 09:36pm
@Lafanga - let me correct you there my friend. Forget 600 million Hindus, there are only 172 million PEOPLE in India living in abject poverty according to a world bank report. That's only 12% of India's population and decreasing fast. It was 21% in 2011.
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May 30, 2016 09:36pm
@Lafanga You are absolutely right... Thats the perk of being minority in India..Get it...
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May 30, 2016 09:39pm
@Harmony-1© what is yhat got to do with the state of minorities in Pakistan army
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May 30, 2016 09:43pm
sincere wishes and prayers that the young girl may fulfil her ambition.
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May 30, 2016 09:43pm
Totally disgusted to see the indifference from our govt. on issue of intolerance and abuse towards it's citizens.
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May 30, 2016 09:43pm
@Lafanga Not every Hindu girl goes for medicine.
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May 30, 2016 09:46pm
With constitutionally sanctioned mistreatmen of minorities in Pakistan things are not getting better for them any time soon
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May 30, 2016 09:46pm
This is ridiculous.She should be considered as of Indian origin if her parents or grand parents were born in United India.
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May 30, 2016 09:49pm
If there is a will, there is a way.
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May 30, 2016 09:51pm
According to dawn news reports 60.13 percent people lives under absolute poverty in nuclear Pakistan as compared to 12 percent in India.
Poverty is declining fastest in the world in India and India is moving toward high middle income countries.According to latest UN report average household income is going to be $45000/year in India compared to $7000 per year in Pakistan by 2050...
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May 30, 2016 09:57pm
@Lafanga because she didn't get attention from your Government
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May 30, 2016 10:00pm
@Lafanga Because she got 91% marks in 12th and qualified for admission to a medical college but due to lack of proper domicile and papers she needs someone to twist the rules to get in. Other 600 million hindu girls have not secured 91%
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May 30, 2016 10:00pm
@Lafanga a typical Pakistani mindset.
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May 30, 2016 10:03pm
@Harmony-1©, yes agreed, yet no minority from India want to move Pakistan.
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May 30, 2016 10:09pm
Pakistan is sinking ship and those who are smart have already jumped with lifeboats.....only problem is there isnt enought lifeboats for all....
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May 30, 2016 10:11pm
@Vicky "According to latest UN report average household income is going to be $45000/year in India"
Hahaha $45000.00 !!
I guess India is now the super power of the entire Universe :) India's per capita income was $1,497 in 2013, ranked at 120th out of 164 countries by the World Bank, while its per capita income on purchasing power parity (PPP) basis was US$5,350, and ranked 106th.
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May 30, 2016 10:10pm
@Harmony-1© Minority kids in India wanting to apply for medical college will have to do nothing different from so-called majority kids, and will be selected with the same criteria. The system doesn't care for the most part who you are, and yes India is full of doctors coming from various minorities.
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May 30, 2016 10:13pm
@Abraham Haque "With constitutionally sanctioned mistreatmen of minorities in Pakistan things are not getting better for them any time soon"
While in India it is religiously sanctioned mistreatment of the minorities. Just because Sushma Swaraj picks up one case because of her Pakistani identity DOES not mean India has turned into Sweden.
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May 30, 2016 10:15pm
@Chaklo "Pakistan is sinking ship and those who are smart have already jumped with lifeboats.....only problem is there isnt enought lifeboats for all...."
Obviously there are no migrants from India settled in the West.
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May 30, 2016 10:19pm
India will also welcome Muslim doctors from Pakistan. Here you can administer polio drops without being shot.
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May 30, 2016 10:19pm
Nothing moves without his wish. The nation must honor and treat its religious minorities to be a success.
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May 30, 2016 10:21pm
@Point of view - Without disputing your claim and dragging it to something else, I hope it satisfies your vanity! Happy?
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May 30, 2016 10:21pm
@Lafanga what does poverty in Indian has to do with minority treatment or admission in medical school in Pakistan
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May 30, 2016 10:23pm
According to the study released on the occasion of World Toilet Day in Nov 2015, India has 60.4 per cent of its people without access to toilet. This was reported in Indian Express.
In response to those saying there is no poverty in India or it is 12% only.
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May 30, 2016 10:25pm
@lafanga _ " Obviously there are no migrants from India settled in the West. "
thanks for comparing India with the western countries..however we are yet to be at par with thme. But we will be there very soom. Thanks again
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May 30, 2016 10:29pm
Pakistan has issues. Yes and no one is denying that. Pakistanis are working to fix it and it WILL BE fixed no matter how much ill will is shown by the neighbors. At least Pakistanis are not commenting on Indian media falsely portraying Pakistan as some non-existent land of milk and honey just to satisfy our inner egos.
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May 30, 2016 10:30pm
Please let @Lafanga be. He is defensive because there is simply no other way for him to react.
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May 30, 2016 10:32pm
That's the spirit...
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May 30, 2016 10:32pm
@lafanga sir as long as we have people on both sides who are confused about why we mistreat people we as humans will always have these issues, apparently humans have not evolved sufficiently
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May 30, 2016 10:32pm
@lafanga : common buddy don't be so discomfort with your feelings.see what happening to minorities inside your country.India has problem but it no where near as compared to Pakistan because India has strong educated civil society and its a long running democracy.
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May 30, 2016 10:34pm
@Lafanga because by helping this one girl India can put Pakistan to shame infront of world (that Pakistani minorities have to flee Pakistan and seek alms in another country).
Have you ever heard any Indian Muslim migrating to Pakistan for better life.
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May 30, 2016 10:37pm
@ LAFANGA Lets not get into comparisons of who has more "poor" people in their country. more important is which government is doing what for the upliftment of the poor. The latest UN reports suggest that average household income is going to be $45000/year in India compare this to $7000 per year in Pakistan by 2050.So where are we headed
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May 30, 2016 10:43pm
I would like to know how many of indian minorities seeking refugee in pakistan?
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May 30, 2016 10:43pm
@Basit Ali Is it the same UN who thought Iraq and Libya will be leading light of democracy in the Arab world after each of them were invaded?
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May 30, 2016 10:44pm
yes she is Hindu, but refugee first. she is not Indian. there are Afghani refugees in Pakistan, but are they pakistani? no.
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May 30, 2016 10:44pm
Goodness is the greatest of all virtues but without the company of Truth, it multiplies to zero!
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May 30, 2016 10:47pm
Nice gesture. She still has to clear the exam though. Best of luck.
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May 30, 2016 10:51pm
@lafanga
Man Pakistanis are obsessed with toilets in India. Somehow it tells me yhe past about your ancestors before they converted.
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May 30, 2016 10:52pm
@Vicky becaause she has done very well in schoolfinal, and eligible for admisiion on merit , but her refugee status [iee.non citizenship of india] does not permit her to apply ! an exception has to be approved.
first change your hatered mind set sir! there are no 600 million children first of all, in india in totality.???
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May 30, 2016 10:53pm
@lafanga ....kindly read correctly.BY 2050....
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May 30, 2016 10:59pm
@point of view Whats your view of people of Jammu & Kashmir
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May 30, 2016 11:03pm
@Harmony-1©
there is no 'situation' here in India. I belong to a minority community.
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May 30, 2016 11:08pm
@Vicky - so what are you saying ? That y 2050; average Indian household income will be approx. 27 Lakh of rupees (by today's rate of $1 = 60 INR) ?
While the only element of truth in your statement is that poverty is declining in India at a much faster rate compared to previous years , rest of all your statements do not have any back up and only a wishful thinking . BTW, Where have you got these numbers from ? Which UN site or article ? Published by whom ?
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May 30, 2016 11:12pm
@Abraham Haque read the article, her parents are doctors and that too from Pakistan. The ground reality is come to any city of Sindh and visit a hospital you will be surprised to see the no of Hindu doctors there. They are hard working and they make it to the top. Most of them are specialists having government permanent jobs, head of departments and I have not observed any indiscrimination with them. A collegue of mine migrated to India not because he was mistreated but because most of their family members were in India.
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May 30, 2016 11:18pm
@Gulrez Khan yes of course because you don't host 3 million Afghan refugees. Take them from Pakistan and in a few months I will ask you how good are the vaccination campaigns in your country.
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May 30, 2016 11:21pm
@Kulbhushan Yadav : Don't forget the world's greatest human convenience, that is W/C, or flushing toilet was invented and used by people of Harrapa, now in Pakistan about 5,000 years ago, who were the ancestors of you and me i.e. the genetic cousins. It is ironical that, we are now the world leaders in the lack of proper toilet facilities.
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May 30, 2016 11:42pm
@lafanga no the trouble is Pakistani mindset of resding too much into everything
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May 30, 2016 11:45pm
@Sadaf want to talk about constitutionally sanctioned discrimination in Pakistan, if not find copy of Pakistani constitution and read
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May 30, 2016 11:46pm
@lafanga
What about Pakistan is it 160...
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May 30, 2016 11:52pm
@Lafanga -- Good job. Thanks for sharing the truth
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May 30, 2016 11:53pm
@Harmony-1©
> But please do keep in perspective the minorities situation in India too.
How many Indian Muslims migrated to Pakistan from India? Almost Zero!
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May 30, 2016 11:55pm
@Lafanga Becz she is refugee and her news was telecasted...Her father was attacked thrice in her home country Pak thrice, they relocated in emergency leaving everything behind..
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May 31, 2016 12:17am
Poor child! She has "distress" written all over her face.:(:(
Hope things work out for her!
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May 31, 2016 12:16am
I don't think Pakistan is that bad for minorities. It doesn't seem that wilful discrimination is the policy of Pakistan government and those from majority community. Terrorists and criminals target everyone. They carefully avoid targeting those in position of power like government officials family and those from army and police for the fear of severe reprisal. So they choose soft target who are well off. Hence middle class Hindus in Pakistan become easy soft target. The reservation policy in Pakistan affects everyone including those from majority community.
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May 31, 2016 12:21am
This breaks my heart. The young lady is daughter of Pakistan and she had to leave the country for safety reason. We should bring her home by a counter offer. How much more we will bleed.
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May 31, 2016 12:48am
Using personal influence and jumping the system. How many Indian girls are denied admission. India needs to upgrade and invest more in schools and education. Less on fruitless defense expenditure.
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May 31, 2016 03:43am
@Basit Ali Even as an Indian I can't believe any report that tells per capita income in India will be $45,000 in 2050. It won't be even 15,000.
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May 31, 2016 05:02am
It is not just the Hindus that are facing tough times in Pakistan , the general public is frustrated by the current conditions there . Hindus and Sikhs will migrate to India , where should the Muslims go when facing difficulties ? Good gesture by the Minister by intervening to protect the brilliant girl's future . Wish her great success in her career .
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May 31, 2016 05:43am
There is Foreign quota system in many big schools in India, but they don't consider Pakistanis as foreigner when it comes to Pakistan they close all doors. I know one Pakistani guy back in India visa appearing for IELTS exams and when exam center heard their is one Pakistani guy then exams was delayed and they were not allowing him to appear for Exam because he is Pakistani. He was lively legally in country since 10 years
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May 31, 2016 05:46am
@Lafanga Are not you intrested in knowing why she is in this situation, why a doctor had to leave the place of his birth,who compelled him to do that, it was there fault being a minority and also ask why Muslims who are a minority not doing the same in spite of so called mis treatment not even a single family opted for migration even after 2002 Gujrat riots but as for as I can guess you are intrested in making negative comments only, yesterday Pakistanis were saying look she has been denied an opportunity.
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May 31, 2016 06:35am
She now one lucky girl......She will be well taken care off.......
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May 31, 2016 07:36am
Hindus across the world are our brothers
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May 31, 2016 08:31am
@Lafanga That's because the media highlighted her plight.
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May 31, 2016 09:31am
I wish CNN takes notice of hundreds of Pakistani girls married to Indians and living in India for more than ten years on visa but denied Indian citizenship. They have to apply for visa extension from time to time and have to travel to Delhi to pursue their case. These girls can not travel freely in India and can't take job. These girls are no security threat. There is no parallel of this cruelty in this world. This is the real hidden face of India.
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May 31, 2016 11:00am
@Zak She was a refugee from pakistan but chose to come to india for better education and future. On the contrary, your own country needs to invest more in eduction and schools and also learn to take care of the minorities. Stop loving in the your dreamland. It will be for your own good.
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May 31, 2016 02:05pm
@Indian - Many victims from Kashmir have left for Pakistan's side. The point was minorities’ general treatment wherever they are. Must you really raise this point then think of: Golden Temple killings, Babri Masjid riots, Gujarat riots, attacks on churches and Christians, forced conversions, atrocities in Kashmir, lynching on rumours of eating beef...etc etc! So, was it just an attempt on propaganda that it’s all hunky-dory in India or sheer naivety?
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Jun 01, 2016 01:00am
@Lafanga: I am from JAIN minority community and we are very happy here in our beloved motherland India.....The Jains have higher literacy rate, 97.1.% compared with the national average of 74.38%. we have the higher female literacy rate, 94.6.% compared with the national average of 64.16%. It is believed that we Jains also have the Higher per capita income in India. Jain community though very small in numbers, contributes a significant percent of Income tax revenue of India.
P.S- almost same figures as above are applicable to other minority communities as well... Muslims are not in minority in India, they works very hard, couple of my best friends are Muslims and they are doing very good, you don't need to worry about Indian Muslims my dear friend
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Jun 01, 2016 09:04pm
Now this is called leadership. Taking decisive and correct actions. Kudos to Mrs Swaraj. We on the other hand are busy losing to India on all fronts - from cricket to filmstars to budding doctors now. And lot of our countrymen are dreaming of taking Kashmir.
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Jun 01, 2016 09:08pm
@Lafanga & others - if you really want to help Pakistan then start focussing on your studies. Bare chest thumping and debates will never lead us forward. Indians are very capable and the world recognises that. We can compete only if we produce future CEOs, scientists, doctors etc. Even in internet debates, these guys will kill us in sheer numbers !
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