8-day-old girl gets a PAN card

An eight-day old baby girl from Nalla Sopara became the youngest PAN cardholder in Maharashtra and the second youngest in the country this month.

Shahida was born on June 8 and the PAN card was issued to her on June 13, and received on June 17 by courier, said her father, Shahnawaz who resides in Achole Road, Nalla Sopara (east).

Ashi Kumar Sajal from Munger in Bihar is the youngest PAN cardholder in India. Ashi was born on February 21 and the PAN card was issued to her on February 26.

Shahida’s father Shahnawaz (25) runs an electric appliances shop at Khatri Bhawan in Nalla Sopara (east) and earns around Rs 15,000 per month.

“My wife Tarannum gave birth to Shahida on June 8 in Yadav Hospital here. Usually in India, the birth of a girl child is looked down upon, but we were happy. Also, she had arrived during the auspicious fasting period of Ramzan, which began on June 6,” said an elated Shahnawaz.

“My father Hasamali Brar (50) was also very happy. While browsing the net, he came to know that Shahida could become the youngest child to be issued a PAN card in Maharashtra and the second youngest in India,” said Shahnawaz.

“So as a birthday gift, he applied online for Shahida’s PAN card on June 13 and on June 17, a private courier brought the PAN card to our home,” said Shahnawaz, adding, “This was also a surprise for me, as my father did not tell me about it and only after the card was issued did he reveal the reason.”

When asked about the hurry to issue a PAN card for his granddaughter, Hasamali said, “I want my grand daughter to be a citizen of our country right from her birth, and the PAN card is a legal document. Furthermore, we want Shahida to be an honest I-Tax payer when she starts earning on her own. Her father has already started saving money in her name,” said Hasamali, adding, “I want to send a strong message to all citizens that whether small or big, everyone should pay income tax sincerely for the nation’s growth, as urged by our PM Narendra Modi.