Separated as infants in Mumbai and raised in different Dutch towns, Meena Geltink and Minal Tijssen discovered their biological bond through a DNA test decades later.

  • Two infants from Mumbai were adopted by different families in the Netherlands in the early 1980s.
  • The sisters grew up unaware of each other's existence in different Dutch neighborhoods.
  • A DNA match in May 2026 finally confirmed their biological relationship as full sisters.

In a twist of fate that feels scripted for the silver screen, two women who grew up less than a two-hour drive apart in the Netherlands have discovered they are biological sisters. Meena Geltink and Minal Tijssen, both born in Mumbai, were separated as infants during a period of significant transnational adoption between India and the Netherlands. For decades, they lived entirely separate lives, unaware that the person they might encounter in passing was their own flesh and blood.

Meena’s journey began on October 25, 1983, at Schiphol Airport, when she was placed in the arms of Joke Geltink. Minal’s arrival occurred roughly a year earlier, welcomed by her adoptive parents, Brigitte and Jan Tijssen. While both women were raised in loving, stable environments, a lingering curiosity about their Indian origins remained a quiet undertone in their lives.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this case highlights the profound complexities of the international adoption era. Between 1995 and 2006, hundreds of Indian children were adopted into the Netherlands. This story is not just a personal miracle; it is a reflection of a massive demographic shift and the lifelong psychological quest for identity experienced by thousands of adoptees worldwide.

The advent of consumer DNA testing has revolutionized the ability of adoptees to reconstruct fractured family trees that were once thought lost to time.

The sisters first met briefly as teenagers, but their connection fizzled out, leaving them as mere acquaintances. It wasn't until May 2026, through a family history platform, that a DNA match provided the undeniable proof they didn't even know they were looking for. This discovery has turned a fleeting acquaintance into a lifelong bond.

Historical Background

The scale of inter-country adoption during the late 20th century was substantial. A 2021 study by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) revealed that Indian-born children formed the largest cohort of adoptees in certain periods. While nearly half of these adoptees actively sought their origins, only about 15% successfully located their biological relatives, making Meena and Minal's reunion a statistically remarkable event.

Did You Know?: Meena was the only one among the six infants arriving on her flight who was permitted to keep her original Indian name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: How did the sisters finally find out they were related?
Answer: They used a DNA testing platform in May 2026, which revealed they were full biological sisters.

Question 2: How many Indian children were adopted by the Netherlands during that era?
Answer: According to CBS, at least 594 children were adopted from India to the Netherlands between 1995 and 2006.