Family elated over Judith’s safe return

Family members of Judith D’Souza on Saturday expressed their gratitude to the Centre for her rescue from her abductors in Afghanistan as the Agha Khan Foundation aid worker is expected to return to her home in Kolkata on Sunday.

Elated with her rescue, Judith’s brother Jerome expressed his joy in a tweet on Saturday after Ms Swaraj broke the news on Twitter. “Judith has been rescued by the Government. Our family’s joy knows no bounds. Gratitude to @PMOIndia, @SushmaSwaraj @Vohra-Manpreet.” Agnes, Judith’s sister, said, “We are very much grateful to the government of India and specially Ms Swaraj Madam for bringing my sister back to the country.”

She however refused to divulge details about how her sister was rescued from her abductors in Kabul and requested the media to respect the family's privacy. The D'Souzas' neighbours were also happy about Judith's rescue.

Vivekananda Konar, said, "Since the abduction whenever I came across Judith's mother in the market I wanted to know if there was any good news. But she used to look worried and said that her family did not get any information about her. Today she broke the news of her daughter's rescue. It is indeed a good news for all of us."

The motive behind Judith's abduction is still not clear also as neither her family nor the ministry of external affairs is yet to speak about it. Credited with work experience over ten years in social sector Judith travelled to Afghanistan a year ago to work for Agha Khan Foundation as a gender specialist. She earlier expected to return home on June 15 for a month-long annual holiday.

But early on June 10 her family was informed by the Indian Ambassador to Kabul, Manpreet Vohra about her abduction. After passing out from Loreto Sealdah, Judith graduated from St Xaviers College in Kolkata with Bachelors in English (Honours) and did her Masters in Social Work from the University of Mumbai. Later she took up her career in social sector with different organisations in various capacities.