Kulageri Cross: Aishwarya Gurappa Hirlavar, an 18-year-old differently-abled girl from Aalur SK village, has been struggling for over a year to update her Aadhaar card, without which she is unable to access any government benefits, including her monthly disability pension.

Aishwarya, who weighs just 35 kg and is unable to walk, has been carried on her parent’s shoulders from the village to Hobli, Taluk, and even district-level Aadhaar centres in a desperate attempt to get her biometric data registered. However, officials have reportedly turned her away each time, citing issues in capturing her fingerprints.

Without a valid Aadhaar card, Aishwarya is unable to complete eKYC for her bank account, and the family is also being denied their share of ration from the public distribution system. All three children in her family are differently abled, and their mother is now deeply concerned about their future in the absence of basic identification and support.

“I haven’t received my government disability pension for the past one and a half years due to the Aadhaar issue. Despite multiple attempts to register, nothing has worked,” said Aishwarya Gurappa Hirlavar

“I have only recently taken charge in Badami. I will coordinate with our assistant tahsildar and ensure Aadhaar registration for Aishwarya is completed,” said Kavyashree H., newly appointed Tahsildar, Badami

Locals are urging the concerned authorities to take immediate action and ensure that Aadhaar registration is facilitated for Aishwarya and similar differently-abled individuals, enabling them to access essential government benefits without further delay.