PM, Sonia launches ?Aadhar? cards in remote Maha village
Tembhli, Maharashtra : India became the first country to launch national biometric Unique Identification Number project ? ?Aadhar? ? on Wednesday when ten tribals in this remote village in Maharashtra?s Nandurbar district received their Aadhar cards from Prime Minister Manomhan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
Through this ambitious project of Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, a 12-digit number will be the link to all demographic details, bank accounts etc and will help people in accessing government programmes, while at the same time addressing tricky issues such as rigging in elections and the embezzlement of government funds meant for the people.
Singh, launching the programme, said the ?Aadhar? numbers will help in national integration and it will help people derive benefits from other government schemes.
Gandhi, who had held her first political rally in this district in 1998, said that Aadhar cards were the first step towards empowerment.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, his deputy Chhagan Bhujbal and Unique Identification Authority of India chief Nandan Nilekani were also present at the event.
Among the ten people who received their Aadhar cards on Wednesday are five women and three children.
Four-year-old Hitesh Sonawane became the youngest member to receive the card.
Hitesh’s mother Ranjana, eight-year-old Anil Thakre, Chalubhai Thakre, Shiva Rattan Wagh, Kantibai Nigure, Bhuri Mai, 14, Devidas Mai, Tarachand and Arman Qureshi are the others who got the cards.
This remote, tribal village in Maharashtra has a history of long association with the Congress, serving as launch pad for several initiatives for the party.
Tembhli, with a population of 1,098, is located 50 kms from the nearest town Shahada.
Election campaigns of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi were launched from here, which has elected Congress Member of Parliament successively since Independence.
There are 273 families in this village, among which 263 are below the poverty line.
