Heard of Aadhaar? It’s India’s Social Security Number, the only difference being this is not mandatory. Though a great initiative by Govt. of India making things simpler and much saner.
Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique number which the Unique Identification Authority o
f India (UIDAI) will issue for all residents in India. The number will be store basic demographics and biometric information – photograph, ten fingerprints and iris – of each individual in a central database. Aadhaar will be easily verifiable. Unique and robust enough to eliminate the large number of duplicate and fake identities in government and private databases. A random number generated, devoid of any classification based on caste, creed, religion and geography.
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It is a 12 digit number, not only a card
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It is for every individual, including infants. Each individual of family will have separate Aadhaar UID number.
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It enables identification and is for every resident. It doesn’t establishes citizenship and is not only for Indians.
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Getting Aadhaar is voluntary, not mandatory
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It is for every resident, irrespective of existing documentation. Individuals without identification documents can also get Aadhaar.
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Each individual will be given a single unique Aadhaar ID number. No multiple Aadhaar numbers.
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Aadhaar UID number can be used by ration card, passport or any ID based application. Though it will not replace other ID’s.
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UID Authority of India will give ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response for any identification authentication queries. Other information will not be accessible to public and private agencies.
Benefits of Adhaar
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Great potential for not-so-privileged, poor and the marginalised people, mostly living in the rural areas
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Clear proof of identity
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Facilitate entry for poor and underprivileged residents into the formal banking system
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Opportunity to avail services provided by the government and the private sector
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Giving migrants mobility of identity
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Financial inclusion with deeper penetration of banks, insurance and easy distribution of benefits of government schemes.
Once a person is on the Aadhaar database the person will be able to establish identity easily. Aadhaar will become the single source of identity verification. Residents would be spared the hassle of repeatedly providing supporting identity documents each time they wish to access services such as obtaining a bank account, passport, driving license and so on. By providing a clear proof of identity, Aadhaar will also facilitate entry for poor and underprivileged residents into the formal banking system and the opportunity to avail services provided by the government and the private sector. Aadhaar will also give migrants mobility of identity.
Great piece of information! this can be communicated to the rural masses in Maharashtra very effectively through audio medium at ST bus stands. The government should do this in order to spread awareness about the Adhaar initiative.