Sisters By Chance
Two Indian-born women, adopted by different families in the Netherlands, discover they are biological sisters after taking a DNA test, despite being friends for decades
Meena Geltink and Minal Tijssen, two Indian-born women adopted from different orphanages in Mumbai, have discovered they are biological sisters after taking a DNA test. The women, now in their 40s, were confirmed to be sisters with a '100% match' after Meena re-took the DNA test.
Meena Geltink and Minal Tijssen met in their early teens at an event hosted by the adoption agency their parents had used. They were struck by the uncanny similarities in their appearance and mannerisms, with friends noticing their similar looks. The two women exchanged telephone numbers and addresses and promised to keep in touch, addressing each other as 'Sis' due to their instant connection.
The women lost contact 15 years ago, but Meena took a DNA test in 2017, which did not yield any matches at the time. Minal Tijssen took a DNA test in April, and Meena re-took the test, leading to the discovery of their biological relationship. Meena Geltink, now 43 years old, received a message from Minal Tijssen on Facebook on 20 May.
## What happened next After the DNA test results, Meena Geltink and Minal Tijssen were confirmed to share the same biological mother and father. The women had been friends for decades, despite being adopted by different families in the Netherlands. Their story is a remarkable example of the power of DNA testing in uncovering unexpected family relationships.
## Why it matters The discovery of Meena Geltink and Minal Tijssen's biological relationship highlights the importance of DNA testing in connecting adoptees with their biological families. Their story also underscores the complexities of adoption and the potential for unexpected connections to be made. As DNA testing becomes more widespread, stories like Meena and Minal's may become more common, raising questions about the nature of family and identity.
Meena Geltink and Minal Tijssen's story is a testament to the power of friendship and the unexpected ways in which people can be connected. Despite losing contact 15 years ago, the women have reconnected and discovered a deeper bond than they ever could have imagined.
