A Diwali Gift of Citizenship: Poonam's Journey from Pakistan to India

In what can be described as an unforgettable Diwali gift, Poonam, a 38-year-old long-term visa holder from Pakistan's Swat region, has been granted Indian citizenship. Having arrived in India in 2004, Poonam has been living in Rampur and has awaited this momentous occasion for nearly two decades.

Poonam's brother, Gagan, was awarded citizenship in 2016, but her application faced multiple rejections until this year, when she received approval under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. Her journey to India initially involved stays in Delhi and Rampur, where she married a local businessman, Puneet Kumar, in 2005. Puneet expressed happiness over Poonam's new status, describing it as a festival gift.

Rampur's Superintendent of Police confirmed the completion of her citizenship process. Poonam eagerly anticipates obtaining further Indian identity documents to solidify her status, with plans to travel to Lucknow soon to finalize paperwork. Her story sheds light on the personal impacts of cross-border citizenship decisions.