GUWAHATI: A missing speech and hearing-impaired child from Dhemaji district, Assam, who had been separated from his family since November 2023, was reunited by the use of Aadhaar’s biometric identification system on April 23.
ALSO READ: K Kasturirangan, Architect Of India’s Space Programme, Dies At 84
The child, later identified as Ram Bahadur Pradhan, was found wandering disoriented in Duliajan, Assam, on November 10, 2023. Locals, unable to communicate with him due to his speech and hearing impairments, handed him over to the police, who then placed him in the care of Mrinaljyoti Jyotiniwas Children Home in Dibrugarh district, according to a PIB Press release.
Efforts to establish the child’s identity through writing and sign language were unsuccessful, leaving authorities at a loss. However, during an attempt to communicate with visual aids, Ram Bahadur pointed towards a representation of an Aadhaar card, suggesting his familiarity with the system. This prompted the children’s home to contact the UIDAI Regional Office in Guwahati on April 9, for assistance.
Following UIDAI’s advice, the authorities proceeded with Aadhaar biometric authentication. A match was found in the UIDAI database after his fingerprints were captured, revealing an existing Aadhaar record. This breakthrough allowed the authorities to trace his home address and contact his family.
UIDAI continues to encourage parents to enrol their children for Aadhaar early and ensure regular biometric updates.
