In a shocking administrative lapse in Madhya Pradesh, Jagdish Kushwaha, a resident of Majhiyari village, has been forced to navigate bureaucratic hurdles since 2021 to prove he is alive. The ordeal, which has drawn widespread attention, began when Kushwaha discovered he was erroneously declared dead in government records.Kushwahas plight began when he visited the Municipal Council office to claim his old age pension. To his astonishment, an employee informed him that he was listed as deceased, making him ineligible for pension benefits. Determined to correct the mistake, Kushwaha has since been making repeated visits to various government offices, holding a placard that reads, Main Zinda Hoon Saheb.Despite presenting all necessary documents to prove his identity and existence, his efforts initially yielded no positive results. Ironically, Kushwaha had even cast his vote in the Lok Sabha elections. If my husband is dead, how did he vote his wife questioned, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.After the case gained media attention, local authorities acknowledged the error. Officials were dispatched to Kushwahas residence to verify his status. The process of officially correcting the records and reinstating his benefits has commenced, ensuring that he can once again access government schemes.This incident is not unique. In January 2022, Dhuli Chand, a 102-year-old resident of Rohtak, made headlines with a similar predicament. To prove he was alive, Chand led a wedding-like procession to the government office, sitting on a chariot adorned in wedding attire and garlands of Indian rupee notes, holding a placard that read, thara foofa zinda hai (your uncle is alive). Following this dramatic demonstration, the authorities corrected their records and reinstated his pension.
