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At 103, Gujarat widow applies for passport, wants to go on Hajj pilgrimage

Interestingly, in 2015, the oldest applicant from the country is of 115 years.

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A 103-year-old woman from Amreli becomes the oldest applicant to avail passport from Gujarat. Born on January 1, 1913, Semukhaben Hasanbin Hamja has applied for a passport at this age just to go for Hajj pilgrimage.

Semukhaben’s 60-year-old son, Razakbhai, who sells fruit on a cart says that his mother always wished to go for Hajj but due to their financial situation, she couldn’t go. “Hajj is expensive. We are eight people in the family and it is very difficult to take care of everyone’s needs. Hence, we waited for so many years. Now that this is my mother’s last wish, I and my wife have decided to take to for Hajj, by somehow managing the funds. We have filled the forms for Hajj and are awaiting confirmation.”

Semukhaben, who has a hearing problem could just wish ‘Salaam Walekum’ to this reporter over phone and later said ‘Hajj javu che’. Interestingly, in 2015, the oldest applicant from the country is of 115 years whereas the oldest from Gujarat in 2015 is of 103 years. Experts believe that she is one of the oldest applicant in past few years.

When asked about documentation posing as a challenge, Harish Malani, Supreintendent, RPO Ahmedabad said, “Applicants above 70 years just have to submit a solemnized affidavit declaring their age to avail passport.”

During the year 2015, 1.20 crore passport and related services were rendered by the Ministry of External Affairs. An increase of 21% as against 2014 and 41% compared to 2013. There was also a rise of 18.66% applications received in India.

Interestingly, Ahmedabad was one of the six passport offices that rendered more than 5 lakh passport services.

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