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India.com
3 days ago
- General
- India.com
Who was the first Indian to get the Aadhaar Card? Who handed it over?
New Delhi: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) issues Aadhaar cards to the residents of India as identity and address proof. So far, it has issued the Aadhaar card to more than 90 percent of the population of India. The Aadhaar card is an important document not only for adults but also for children as it plays a vital role from school admission to identity verification, accessing government services and subsidies, and financial transactions, online and offline authentication, and streamlining the process of proving one's identity for different needs. But do you know who was the first Indian who was issued the Aadhaar Card? Who got the first Aadhaar card of the country? India's first Aadhaar card was made on 29 September 2010. This card was given to Ranjana Sonawane of Nandurbar district of Maharashtra. Ranjana lived in Tambhali village at that time, which is about 470 kilometers away from Pune. Ranjana Sonawane was given her Aadhaar card during the UPA government. The then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh handed over the card to her. From that day onwards, the work of making Aadhaar cards started in the whole country. When was UIDAI formed? The Aadhaar card was started during the UPA government. In January 2009, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) was formed for this. After this, Aadhaar cards started being made from September 2010. Today, Aadhaar card has become essential for many government schemes, banking, school admission and jobs etc. What are features of Aadhaar? Aadhaar is the world's largest biometric ID system. As of May 2023, more than 99.9% of India's adult population had been issued Aadhaar IDs. It has been described as 'the most sophisticated ID programme in the world'. Considered a proof of residence and not a proof of citizenship, Aadhaar does not itself grant any rights to domicile in India. In June 2017, the Home Ministry clarified that Aadhaar is not a valid identification document for Indians travelling to Nepal, Bhutan or other foreign countries.
News18
14-07-2025
- General
- News18
Aadhaar: What It Proves, What It Doesn't And Where The Confusion Really Lies
Last Updated: Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identity number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which was set up on January 28, 2009 In India, the Aadhaar card is often treated like a master key, proof of everything from your name to your nationality. But here's the thing: that's not what Aadhaar was designed for. And despite over 140 crore cards being issued since its inception, most people still aren't clear on what it can and can't do. Let's break this down. What Exactly Is Aadhaar? Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identity number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which was set up on January 28, 2009, by the UPA government. The project was spearheaded by Nandan Nilekani, who envisioned a digital ID system built on biometric verification, online authentication, and e-KYC. The first Aadhaar number was issued to Ranjana Sonawane, a woman from Maharashtra's Nandurbar district, on September 29, 2010. Since then, it has grown into the largest biometric identity project in the world. Interestingly, the project was initially called the UID Project (Unique Identification Number). The name 'Aadhaar', meaning foundation, was proposed by Nilekani and his core team, and cleared by the Planning Commission and the Prime Minister's Office. Why Aadhaar Was Created The Aadhaar project had clear goals: In short, it was never meant to be a catch-all document, but a tool to streamline public service delivery. What Does Aadhaar Verify If you've ever used your Aadhaar for verification, here's what it's actually confirming: Your Identity – name, photograph, and biometrics (fingerprints, iris scan) Your Address – as submitted at the time of registration That's it. No more, no less. What Aadhaar Does Not Prove This is where most of the misunderstanding creeps in: It does NOT prove citizenship. Just having an Aadhaar number doesn't make you an Indian citizen. Even foreigners residing in India for more than 182 days in the past year are eligible to apply. It does NOT prove your income. There's no financial data attached to your Aadhaar. It does NOT verify your date of birth with legal weight. While Aadhaar carries a date of birth, it's not accepted as final proof in courts, for government jobs, or pension eligibility. A birth certificate or a Class 10 marksheet is required. It does NOT confirm caste, religion, or marital status. None of these are part of Aadhaar's data structure. Where Aadhaar Is Accepted Despite its limitations, Aadhaar plays a big role in day-to-day bureaucracy. It's accepted: Where Aadhaar Is Not Enough There are situations where Aadhaar simply doesn't cut it: Whether for passport issuance or NRC processes, Aadhaar isn't considered a valid document to prove you're Indian. For court matters or official documentation, only a birth certificate or academic records are accepted. You'll need a caste certificate or an income certificate issued separately. What Government And Courts Say Even UIDAI acknowledges that Aadhaar is only proof of identity and address, not citizenship. The Supreme Court, in its 2018 ruling, also made this clear. While the court upheld Aadhaar's use for welfare schemes and PAN linking, it struck down its mandatory use by private entities like telecom companies or banks. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
It's still the fields as toilets in Nandurbar's tribal communities remain on paper
Nandurbar: Ranjana Sonawane, the first Aadhaar card holder, has got her Ladki Bahin dues that were held up over a mix-up in the bank last week, but she still has to battle the ordeal of not having a toilet facility and is forced to resort to open defecation. Other women from Tembhli in Nandurbar district still trek to the open fields before dawn for their ablutions. Bricks lined up for an unconstructed toilet block stand as a silent testament to unfulfilled government promises. "In the monsoon, it gets very difficult," Ranjana said with resignation in her voice. She points to a wall with small shrubs with thorns where the women are forced to go. Community toilets are non-functional and water nowhere to be found. Despite govt's ambitious Swachh Bharat Abhiyan which promised toilets for all, many tribal communities across Nandurbar district remain without sanitation facilities. Under the Swachh Bharat initiative, govt provides a financial incentive of Rs 12,000 per household for toilet construction, shared between central (Rs 7,200) and state governments (Rs 4,800). But there's a catch—the money is disbursed only after construction is complete. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Hyped Tecno Pova Curve 5G Starts at 15,999 TECNO Mobile Book Now Undo This reimbursement-based model has created a paradox for the district's poorest residents. They don't have the money to start building toilets before govt funds arrive. "We do not have money to meet our ends. Govt can give us money to construct the toilets," Ranjana said. Bharati, another resident from the village, said, "We do not have enough money to meet ends. How can we spend money on constructing a toilet?" The situation worsens in tribal hamlets in Dhadgaon and Akkulkuwa talukas in the district. Tribal women there have no clue about the scheme. "We are not aware of this govt scheme. We do not have water. How can we construct toilets?" says Shekhu Pawra, her weathered face reflecting years of hardship. Pulsingh Pawra said that their village Sawra Digar has no electricity, roads or even adequate water supply. "During summers, we have to queue up at the nearest lake which too dries up," he explains, highlighting the more fundamental infrastructural issues plaguing the region. Official data shows about 2.90 lakh households in Nandurbar district have benefited from the scheme, but thousands of applications remain "under assessment." A field officer from Nandurbar, who requested anonymity, said over 11,000 households in these areas have approached them saying that they do not have funds to construct toilet blocks. "The target is high and we have not been able to bridge this gap," he added. He explained that many beneficiaries are covered under PMAY (rural) where they have to construct their houses with toilets, and the state govt grants them a subsidy of around Rs 2 lakh for constructing their houses. In the district until last month, a little more than 1 lakh beneficiaries are listed under the scheme. Ranjana says she is not a direct beneficiary under PMAY rural scheme, but her son's name is on the list. However, they have no clue how and when they can start construction of a pucca house. Local administration officials said that Tembhli village with a population of over 3,000 has 275 independent toilets. A survey is going on, and the rest will be constructed, they added. District collector Mitali Sethi said that a survey is underway to determine how many toilets are constructed and how many are still awaiting construction. "Details are being mapped and I will look into it," she added. Villages across Dhadgaon and Akkalkuwa tehsils present a peculiar mix of homes without toilets and others with half-built structures abandoned due to insufficient funds. Even where toilets have been constructed, practical problems prevent their use. "There is no water. We travel long distances to get drinking water. It is unthinkable for us to use it for toilets," a resident of Dhadgaon taluka said, highlighting the interconnected nature of infrastructural challenges. BOX Promised Infrastructure A Long Way Off Throughout Nandurbar district, many completed toilet blocks stand repurposed as storerooms for firewood, fodder, or cooking utensils—a practical adaptation to an impractical solution. In January, under Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Phase 2, the central government declared 95% of India's villages as ODF Plus (Open Defecation Free Plus), claiming a 460% surge from December 2022 to December 2024. For Maharashtra, official figures show about 60% of villages (24,746 of 40,247) have been verified as ODF Plus models, with another 6,305 categorized as "aspiring villages." Yet the ground reality in Nandurbar's remote hamlets tells a different story—one where the lack of upfront funding, water scarcity, and practical challenges continue to keep Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2014 sanitation promise out of reach for the most vulnerable communities, leaving women to continue their daily trek to the fields in search of privacy and dignity
