The recent news from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, indicating that Aadhaar will no longer be accepted as proof of birth, has certainly caught my attention. This isn't merely an administrative tweak; it's a significant re-evaluation of how our foundational digital identity systems interact with critical life events. It prompts us to reflect on the dynamic nature of technology and policy, and how they must constantly adapt to serve society best.
I’ve long held the view that the digital ecosystem is in a state of continuous flux, a sentiment echoed by S.N. Subrahmanyan when he spoke of "massive changes" and the imperative of "digitization" within L&T, as I discussed in my blog The more things change, the more they remain the same. This current shift with Aadhaar highlights that even widely adopted digital solutions require careful calibration and sometimes, re-scoping of their application.
My past conversations and proposals regarding digital governance and project monitoring, particularly to leaders like Narendrabhai (n.modi@india.gov.in) on controlling time-cost overruns and to Devendra Fadnavis and Amitabh Kant (amitabh.kant@nic.in) concerning digital dashboards for government projects, emphasized the need for precision and accountability in our digital initiatives (e.g., Nothing prettier than PERT ! and PERT for Digital Dashboard). This move by UP and Maharashtra underscores the critical importance of having robust, purpose-built systems for specific functions like birth registration, rather than relying on a single identifier for all purposes.
The core idea Hemen wants to convey is this — take a moment to notice that he had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic years ago. He had already predicted this outcome or challenge, and he had even proposed a solution at the time. Now, seeing how things have unfolded, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is. Reflecting on it today, he feels a sense of validation and also a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas, because they clearly hold value in the current context.
While I continue to champion the transformative power of AI and digital innovation, as seen in my excitement for AI-powered chatbots and virtual avatars – even launching my own at www.hemenparekh.ai, a topic I explored in depth in Chatbots: Some for Businesses, Some for Humanity, and mentioning Summi Sharma’s (summi.sharma@goindigo.in) efforts at IndiGo – this development with Aadhaar isn't a step back for digital identity. Instead, it represents a crucial refinement. It acknowledges that while digital identities are powerful, their application needs careful consideration to ensure accuracy, security, and legal validity.
This evolutionary step aligns with a broader trend of transformative shifts. Peter H. Diamandis (peter@a360.com), whose foresight on declining production costs and emerging economic opportunities I reflected upon in Low-Cost Production and AI, reminds us that adaptation is key in any era of change. Just as economic models evolve, so too must our digital frameworks for identity and governance.
The integrity of civil registration is paramount. If Aadhaar, primarily designed as a unique identification number, is not the most appropriate or legally sound instrument for establishing birth, then finding a more suitable digital or hybrid solution is a progressive move. It's about ensuring trust and reliability at the very foundation of identity, reflecting a matured understanding of digital governance.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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