From Pension Puzzles to Life Certificates: The Extraordinary Journey of Daataram

In an unusual twist, Daataram, an elderly resident of Kheda Murar village in Haryana, spent 13 years proving he was alive after an administrative mistake declared him dead. The confusion arose from two Daatarams in the village, both with fathers named Bihari Lal. When one Daataram, a retired army personnel, passed away in 2010, the surviving Daataram was mistakenly recorded as deceased.

Daataram’s struggle to correct the error, especially regarding his pension, persisted for over a decade despite pleas to local and district offices. The breakthrough occurred during the ‘Developed India Campaign – Public Dialogue’ event in Kheda Murar, where Cooperative Minister Dr. Banwari Lal issued a certificate affirming Daataram’s existence.

Expressing relief, Daataram conveyed his satisfaction at being officially recognized as alive after 13 years. However, the battle continues as he strives to reinstate his pension and receive overdue payments for the years he was wrongly declared deceased.

This tale highlights the administrative challenges faced by rural Indians and underscores the need for a more efficient record-keeping system. Daataram’s resilience in overcoming bureaucratic errors serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit.