Patna: The Indian authorities has granted citizenship to Sumitra Prasad alias Rani Saha, a girl who had been dwelling in Bihar’s Ara metropolis for 40 years. This marks the primary occasion in Bihar of citizenship being granted beneath the provisions of the Citizenship Modification Act (CAA) and associated guidelines. Sumitra, who resides on Chitra Toli Street in Ara and runs a grocery store, has been dwelling in India on a visa since 1985.
Her journey to citizenship has been lengthy and difficult, involving quite a few visits to police stations and embassies over the many years. Her citizenship was lastly permitted beneath the State Degree Empowered Committee as per sub-rule (1) of Rule 11A of the Citizenship Guidelines, 2009, and Rule 13A. Sumitra’s life story is deeply intertwined with historic occasions. On the age of 5 in 1970, she left for her aunt’s house in what was then undivided Pakistan (East Pakistan, later Bangladesh).
She accomplished her schooling there, however the geopolitical panorama modified after Bangladesh’s independence on December 16, 1971. In January 1985, Sumitra returned to India and reunited along with her household within the Katihar district of Bihar. Quickly after, on March 10, 1985, she married Parmeshwar Prasad and settled in Ara. She has since raised her household there, having three daughters: Priyanka, Priyadarshini, and Aishwarya.
Sadly, in 2010, her husband handed away resulting from bone most cancers, leaving her as the only breadwinner for her household.
Expressing her gratitude to Prime Minister Modi’s authorities, Sumitra stated: “Once I was 5 years previous, I went to my aunt’s home in Bangladesh. By the point I returned to India in 1985, Bangladesh had been established as a separate nation. I’ve lived right here ever since, however solely now have I acquired citizenship. I’m grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian authorities for it.”
Sumitra’s journey to Indian citizenship has been marked by many years of wrestle, uncertainty, and resilience. Residing on a visa for greater than 40 years in Ara, Bihar, she endured fixed challenges, from bureaucratic hurdles to societal pressures, earlier than lastly being granted Indian citizenship beneath the Citizenship Modification Act (CAA).
Sumitra revealed the relentless difficulties she confronted whereas dwelling on a visa. She needed to navigate complicated and time-consuming procedures yearly, steadily visiting police stations and embassies. Native residents typically threatened her with deportation to Bangladesh, and she or he was repeatedly warned about potential jail time.
In 2023, delays in renewing her visa led to her being referred to as to the Arah city police station and requested to return to Bangladesh. For the previous three visa renewals, Sumitra needed to journey to Kolkata, which added to her burden. In 2024, whereas making use of for her visa extension in Kolkata, Sumitra and her household have been knowledgeable in regards to the provisions of the CAA.
Her youngest daughter, Aishwarya Prasad, took the initiative to start the appliance course of in October 2024.
Regardless of the household’s extended struggles, Aishwarya remained decided and accomplished the method, securing citizenship for her mom. Sumitra’s late husband, Parmeshwar Prasad, ran a house equipment store in Ara to help their household.
Following his demise in 2010, the household’s struggles intensified. Of Sumitra’s three daughters — two are married, whereas the youngest, Aishwarya, presently takes care of her. Sumitra was unable to entry primary authorities providers resembling an Aadhaar card, ration card or fuel connection resulting from her visa standing. The household is elated with the citizenship approval.
Aishwarya expressed reduction, saying: “My mom was disadvantaged of all authorities amenities for therefore a few years. Now, we will lastly put together all her paperwork and entry advantages like Aadhaar, ration playing cards, and fuel connections. In the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, the dearth of a visa extension induced immense fear, however this citizenship has introduced us reduction.”
