Sisters come to SOFOSH tracing their journey

PUNE: The happiness of 56-year-old Sushila More, a caretaker at the Society of Friends of the Sassoon Hospital (SOFOSH), knew no bounds when she met sisters Seema and Reema who were adopted 20 years ago. 

SOFOSH is an orphanage being run by NGO Shreevatsa on the campus of the Sassoon General Hospital (SGH). In 1998, the young girls were brought to SOFOSH by a police official after they were found abandoned by their family on streets. 

The girls were later adopted by a couple from New Zealand. Recently, they visited the city to trace their roots. 

Speaking to Sakal Times, More said she was overwhelmed by the reunion. “I have been working here for the past 24 years. Every time, adopted children come back to trace their roots, it feels so warm and happy. Both the girls remembered me. Elder one Seema was very stubborn when she came to us, while younger one Reema was very quiet. They loved to play. After all these years, it feels amazing to see them,” said More.

The sisters were brought to the orphanage at a very young age. Seema was three years old while Reema was two years old.

Speaking to Sakal Times, Sharmila Sayed, the administration in-charge of SOFOSH, said the young girls were brought in by a police official. “These girls were later given to the couple from New Zealand for adoption. Now, Seema is a teacher in New Zealand. She has learned Indian classical dance Bharatnatyam as she wanted to feel close to their native land. Reema is an engineer there. Both the girls are very happy. They were here to trace their roots,” said Sayed. 

She also added that the girls like Indian food a lot. “When they visited us, they told us that they liked rice and dal. The elder one also wanted to learn to cook Indian food,” said Sayed. 

Speaking to Sakal Times, Bhaskar Jadhav, Senior Police Inspector and in-charge of Deccan Gymkhana Police station, said SK Kamble, the head constable, who took the two girls to SOFOSH, has been traced.

“The head constable has gone to his village. He will back in the city soon. The girls also visited the Deccan Gymkhana police station as they were trying to trace their journey,” said Jadhav.