Blackburn woman is second-old citizen in the country

3:47pm Friday 7th December 2012 in Blackburn Photograph of the Author By David Thomson, Reporter

Sardar Begum Sardar Begum

IT was the best of British for a 105-year-old who emigrated to Blackburn after she created her very own little piece of history.

Sardar Begum is believed be the second oldest person ever to become a British Citizen in the United Kingdom.

The mother-of-seven received her certificate at a citizenship ceremony held at Bury Town Hall.

Born in Gujarat, Pakistan, in 1907, Mrs Begum came to the UK to join members of her family 14 years ago.

She has three sons, four daughters and 30 grandchildren.

She now lives with her daughter, Rizia Mushtaq, in the Broad Oak area of Bury.

The 105-year-old was one of 20 new citizens who attended the citizenship event at the town hall register office.

Haydn Keenan, registration office manager, said: “We thought this lady must be the oldest person to become a British Citizen in the United Kingdom. But we’ve since found out that Camden beat us to it in October with a woman aged 106.”

Also at the ceremony was Coun Shaheena Haroon, who is a key member of Bury Asian Women’s Centre.

They helped in the process of Mrs Begum receiving her citizenship, which is awarded by the Home Office.

Coun Haroon said: “She came to the UK to be with one of her daughters in Blackburn who was suffering domestic abuse.

“She is very happy in Bury and pleased that she is able to stay here. She loves it in the town.

“Despite the fact she is 105-years-old, Mrs Begum’s memory is very good and she recognises everyone. She is also very religious.”

“She was so pleased to be a part of it and was delighted to have her photograph taken with the mayor.”

Mrs Begum can look forward to another milestone as she is scheduled to celebrate her 106th birthday on New Year’s Day.

Comments(20)

cathedral citi says...
4:34pm Fri 7 Dec 12

Congratulations mrs begum, firstly for reaching a fantastic age. Secondly, for ALMOST beating the record. Nevertheless, still an amazing fete.


Many happy returns.

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ghanto says...
4:48pm Fri 7 Dec 12

allah ka shukar adha karo and no publicity wouldve been better

good luck

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sen c ble says...
4:49pm Fri 7 Dec 12

I believe your age. If you're healthy, age is just a number.

Good Luck. x.

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Izanears says...
4:56pm Fri 7 Dec 12

I can not help but wonder if the age claimed is correct. Many of my friends are of the same heritage as Mrs Begum and born in the same area and they will readily admit that they do not know exactly when they were born as records were not kept.

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Jimmyyy says...
5:57pm Fri 7 Dec 12

Sorry to disappoint everyone but we're subjects, not citizens!

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woolywords says...
10:33am Sat 8 Dec 12

Claiming full pension rights to a country that she never contributed to, no doubt.
Scandalous waste of taxpayers money. Am certain her many children are each claiming to care for her, with carers allownces and free motor cars, at my expense.
Meanwhile, back in the good, old country, they are left out on the street to starve to death.

And if you feel offended by my remarks, I suggest that you do a little research before replying or even complaining to LT.
Full penions rights.
Carers allowance.
Free Mobility car.
Gross contributions to the State, nil.
And this is just one case amongst the thousands of others, as they close down Remploy for lack of funds.

This kind of thing really gets my goat.
Another dead leg for us to carry.

And you wonder why people are rushing to support far-right groups, when our noses are being rubbed in it like this.

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woolywords says...
10:45am Sat 8 Dec 12

My apologies to the Begum family, it was not my intent to cause any distress but rather highlight the loopholes that exist within our current system.
My complaint was directed at those whom allow for this sorry state of affairs and not your family, per se.
Just as the mega-rich use the system in place to evade taxation, you have every right to use it to your own advantage. However, it also gives me the rights to cry, foul, when I see an injustice.

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BlackburnEyes says...
8:07am Mon 10 Dec 12

woolywords wrote:
My apologies to the Begum family, it was not my intent to cause any distress but rather highlight the loopholes that exist within our current system. My complaint was directed at those whom allow for this sorry state of affairs and not your family, per se. Just as the mega-rich use the system in place to evade taxation, you have every right to use it to your own advantage. However, it also gives me the rights to cry, foul, when I see an injustice.
and i suppose you are privy to everyones benefit claims!!! your stupidity is just as astounding as to how you back tracked on your comments might i add as quick as an italian tan driver.. you intended to cause offence to someone who moved to the UK 14 years ago and just received her citizenship ...if you want to cry, moan, foul when you see injustice and loopholes why dont you question yourself! have you ever claimed for anything that you shouldn't have! i think you may have....dont blame your own shortcomings on the rich for legally avoiding taxes...if you were rich you would do the same campaign to change the law and not pick on a old woman who has reached this amazing feat...who has most likely lived and breathed some of the pinnacle points in world history....

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jellybiff says...
4:17pm Mon 10 Dec 12

I cant think of any other country that would let someone that in quite obviously wouldn't contribute anything to that country.

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asiancare says...
5:46pm Mon 10 Dec 12

woolywords wrote:
Claiming full pension rights to a country that she never contributed to, no doubt.
Scandalous waste of taxpayers money. Am certain her many children are each claiming to care for her, with carers allownces and free motor cars, at my expense.
Meanwhile, back in the good, old country, they are left out on the street to starve to death.

And if you feel offended by my remarks, I suggest that you do a little research before replying or even complaining to LT.
Full penions rights.
Carers allowance.
Free Mobility car.
Gross contributions to the State, nil.
And this is just one case amongst the thousands of others, as they close down Remploy for lack of funds.

This kind of thing really gets my goat.
Another dead leg for us to carry.

And you wonder why people are rushing to support far-right groups, when our noses are being rubbed in it like this.
How long did it take u to come up with these ridiculus unnessary comments. i am ashamed of the comments you have made..u just another narrow minded racist bigot as usual.

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asiancare says...
6:32pm Mon 10 Dec 12

if you cant write aything useful dont bother

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VERY FRANK says...
7:34pm Mon 10 Dec 12

Well said Woolywords !

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VERY FRANK says...
7:35pm Mon 10 Dec 12

Well said Woolwords, tens of thousands are with you.

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BlackburnEyes says...
7:52am Tue 11 Dec 12

VERY FRANK wrote:
Well said Woolwords, tens of thousands are with you.
and millions against.....you do the maths if you are capable!

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Black Car Guy. says...
2:39pm Tue 11 Dec 12

What is your secret?

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Rimbus says...
11:58pm Tue 11 Dec 12

asiancare wrote:
if you cant write aything useful dont bother
And if you can't spell anything useful, don't bother either!

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ladysal says...
4:12pm Wed 12 Dec 12

Woolywords:
Pension entitlement. Please explain how she gets round a system which only allows you to claim the state pension if you have made the requisite number of NI contrbutions. I can't find any exemptions to that rule: did you, and if so where?
According to the old rule (which would have eligible when she arrived), her family would have had to provide evidence that they were able to provide financially for her before she was allowed leave to remain AND that there was no one in her home country who could do this. Do you have evidence that this wasn't the case?
Yes, she may be entitled to attendance allowance and her family may be entitled to carer's allowance. However, from what I can see she has no Motability entitlement as there is no way she could claim the appropriate benefit!!

If you have information that contradicts anything I have said, then please print it here so that we can all appreciate your superior knowledge. Otherwise, stop with the inaccurate, misleading rubbish and stop trying to drag a nice story into the gutter.

To Mrs Begum: congratulations on your grand age and on becoming a British Subject.

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asiancare says...
6:58pm Wed 12 Dec 12

Rimbus wrote:
asiancare wrote:
if you cant write aything useful dont bother
And if you can't spell anything useful, don't bother either!
this not a spelling contest.thicko. and you ve not commented on the report. find something useful today.

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sen c ble says...
7:37pm Wed 12 Dec 12

asiancare wrote:
Rimbus wrote:
asiancare wrote:
if you cant write aything useful dont bother
And if you can't spell anything useful, don't bother either!
this not a spelling contest.thicko. and you ve not commented on the report. find something useful today.
He can't. He's a troll, a super troll and has just confirmed it without knowing.
You're correct he's a THICKO.

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haveinalaugh says...
9:21pm Wed 12 Dec 12

How is it that when anybody has any comments about a different culture the racist tag is applied. I think Woolywords raises some valid points, as a respondee stated that family looking after her would receive carer's allowance and she herself attendance allowance, I don't have a clue how much this may be,but it is certainly more than what she has contributed, I don't have an issue with the old dear living out her days with her family and she should be congratulated on reaching a grand old age, but this country is based on freedom of speech not political correctness

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