14 years on, first Aadhaar recipient recalls ‘false show’ of publicity
The Hindu
Ranjana Sonawane, the 'Aadhaar card woman', lives in a remote village in Maharashtra, highlighting the struggles of her community.
After an eight-hour drive from Mumbai, it is not difficult to find where Ranjana Sonawane lives in Tembhli village in the Shahada taluka of Nandurbar district in Maharashtra.
Popularly known as the ‘Aadhaar card woman’, Ms. Sonawane’s village is 43 km from Nandurbar town and some 416 km from Mumbai. Fourteen years have passed since the ‘big day’ that brought her to the limelight. Ms. Sonawane was the first person to receive an Aadhaar card on September 29, 2010, at the launch of the Aadhaar programme by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and then Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Ms. Sonawane, 35 back then, was mobbed by journalists from across the country and interviewed. “What is the point of speaking about my struggle? Does Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh even read what I have spoken about numerous times through journalists in the last 14 years,” asked Ms. Sonawane who belongs to the Bhil tribe. She does not want to take out her Aadhaar card anymore for photos. It is tucked in a suitcase.
A few solar panels were once installed on the streets of the village but there is no electricity in most of the huts. Ms. Sonawane has rented a power connection from her neighbour to light a bulb for Rs 100 per month. Like her, most of the villagers do not have access to toilets.
There is an old sewing machine as one enters her hut. “Today I stitched two blouses, I will earn Rs 100 once the customer collects these. My son [second child, 18] who dropped out of college due to financial constraints left home early in the morning looking for work. I had only Rs 20 that I gave him to buy food.”
Her eldest son, Umesh Sonawane, 22, is pursuing a postgraduate in Commerce from Shri Kakasaheb Hiralal Maganlal Chaudhari Arts, Commerce and Science College in Nandurbar, and the youngest son (15) is training himself to get a job with the Maharashtra Police.
Sadaoui sparkles as Blasters end losing streak
Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad president urges government to protect temple lands and appoint Hindu employees in temples.
Tamil Nadu leads in open access electricity consumers, buying power directly from private generators through power exchanges.
BJP counters Siddaramaiah's claims, stating election mandate not a "clean chit," alleging Congress corruption and broken promises.
West Bengal Governor embroiled in controversy over unveiling own statue, sparking criticism from political circles.
Increase in men opting for vasectomy in Coimbatore district due to awareness and higher family planning allowance.
Dozens killed in sectarian clashes in northwestern Pakistan, with ongoing violence prompting government intervention and community negotiations.
Celebrating 20 years of Sanghamitra Rural Development Society's impactful work in rural education and healthcare with community support.
Experience the iconic Kadalekai Parishe in Basavanagudi with more stalls, massive footfall, and a plastic-free environment this year.
Blood Donors Club of Madurai Medical College organized 'Uthiram 24' marathon to promote blood donation with 1,513 participants.
NDA government in A.P. neglecting students and education sector badly hit, alleges Jagan Mohan Reddy
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has criticised the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Andhra Pradesh, accusing it of neglecting all sectors and not paying the fee reimbursement benefits to the students.