From the disputed paradise on earth Kashmir to the naturalist's heaven Kanyakumari, we are a part of one unique nation-INDIA. Though famous for our “Unity in Diversity” we Indians have never failed to divide ourselves by multiple identity tags.

 “Who are you?” Someone may ask and there goes the answer, ranging from the most obvious reply- one’s name, to one’s regional identity [I am a gujurati, Marathi, Bengali] or one’s religious tag [I am a Hindu Brahmin, a Sunni Muslim etc] and of course by simply mentioning one’s profession but how often do we hear someone saying “I am an Indian.” Seldom! 

As we enter the last year of the first decade of 21st century, our policy makers have devised an innovative way with the view to unite 108 billion people by using a 16-digit number as the new identity code. A challenging task, indeed!

Nandan Nilekani, the head of Unique Identification Authority of India along with other architects of New India claims to complete this mammoth task in three years. All the numbers, whether odd or even, prime or composite would suggest just one thing that we are Indians, legally speaking. Nandan Nilekani suggested a new catch phrase seeking bank account, mobile numbers and Unique Identification Number as the three fundamental needs of the 21st century Indian unlike the traditional “roti, kapda aur makaan.” 

Apparently the UID would be completely voluntary, though this number will become "pervasive and ubiquitous" in future. To get a passport, they will ask for a UID number. To get a driving license, to make the tax payments, to open a bank account the authorities will ask for the UID number. In fact, the future matrimonial advertisements may be somewhat like this- Wanted tall, fair, handsome, well educated groom for beautiful, educated girl. UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER MUST! 

Funny it may sound, this complicated task promises to make lives simpler by helping the authorities in easily identifying the citizens of the country, and weeding out the illegal immigrants. The optimists, most of them the advocates of UIN claim that the strategy will enhance national security to prevent potential terrorist attacks and stop illegal immigration. But the realists have their own apprehensions regarding the feasibility, implementation and success of this plan. While the pessimists opine that it would be a complete failure to use numbers to achieve something which could not be achieved in the past so many decades. 

However promising it may sound, all the permutations and combinations suggest that the stupendous task is much more than mere data-collection. To achieve the target, it is imperative to ensure honesty and transparency lest the plan fails to un-complicate our not-so-simple lives! Anyway lets all join hands to cooperate in our respective ways to make this new venture a success. Amen