Nat Geo's Picture Perfect 'Afghan Girl' Will Have Her Treatment in India

By Bipasha Mitra

Suffering from Heptitis C, Sharbat Gula will be recieving her treatment in India free of cost.

Sharbat Gula in her 40s is suffering from Hepatitis C.
She is coming to India for her treatment at Narayana Health in Bengaluru.
But what is so different about her, that catches everyone's eye?
Well, she is the famous 'Afghan Girl' who was shot by renowned photographer Steve McCurry in 1985 for a National Geographic Issue.
And yes, her striking green eyes did express the pangs of the country when it was occupied by the Soviet and US supported mujahideen.
In her 20s (when the portrait was shot by McCurry) she became the symbol of Afghanistan's suffering.
Now, after three decades she is remembered again as she comes to India for her free treatment.

Source: The Huffington Post

Written by

Bipasha Mitra

Vaidam Health · Updated 25 Sept 2026

After completing her Bachelors Degree in English and PG Diploma in Journalism, Bipasha started her career in writing. With an eye for detail and a creative bent of mind, she emphatically crafts patient's stories, and pens blogs and articles understanding what the readers want to know and should know for their medical treatment.