Javeria Khanum, the Pakistani woman who came to Kolkata to marry the man she loves — Sameer Khan — is excited to savour the iconic street food ‘phuchka’, this city’s version of ‘panipuri’.
Khanum was left feeling overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality that she received from the people after coming to Kolkata. She is scheduled to marry Sameer Khan next month.
Her fiancée said that seeing Khanum receive affection from the people — his extended family, neighbours and even strangers — has given him a sigh of relief, adding that this makes her feel at home.
“I am relieved, very happy that we have been accepted by the people of my country, my state and my city. Javeria is equally overwhelmed. There had been a flood of congratulatory phone calls, visits by friends and even strangers to our residence since we arrived from Amritsar to Kolkata on Tuesday,” Khan told PTI.
Khanum — from Pakistan’s Dera Ismail — crossed over into the Indian side from the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab’s Amristar on December 5, where she was welcomed by Khan and some of his family members to the beats of ‘Dhol’.
Khan said apart from relishing the typical city street food ‘phuchka’ with her, he would also love to take her to Park Street, where he can introduce her to his favourite eateries. Khan added that he wants to see his fiancée’s reaction to Kolkata biryani.
Khan said that the couple would like to take a break from their work routine and enjoy some quality time time with family and close friends, following which they would get on to exploring the city. “I know she will love my city, she has already started loving it,” he added.
The Kolkata-based businessman had fallen in love with Khanum in 2018 when he saw her photo on his mother’s phone. At that time, he had come home from Germany where he was studying.
Khan said that the visa rejections and Covid pandemic had stalled their plans of getting married.
“I am looking forward to tying the knot with her in January, 2024” he said.
According to Khan, his friends from Germany, Africa, Spain, the USA and other countries are likely to attend the wedding.
Khanum has been granted a 45-day visa, which she got after two previous rejections thanked the Indian government for its cooperation. Her fiancée, Sameer Khan also expressed his thankfulness to the central government for the same.
(With PTI inputs)
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