A speech and hearing-impaired boy missing since November 2023 was found in Duliajan, Assam and reunited with his family through Aadhaar biometric identification efforts. After unsuccessful initial identification attempts, he successfully identified an Aadhaar card. UIDAI’s timely assistance enabled his identification, highlighting the importance of Aadhaar in emergencies.
A speech and hearing-impaired boy, Ram Bahadur Pradhan, missing since November 2023, was finally reunited with his family in Dhemaji district, Assam, thanks to the biometric identification from Aadhaar. This case highlights the critical role of Aadhaar in identity verification, especially in distressing situations like these.
Ram was found wandering alone in Duliajan on November 10, 2023, by local residents. They alerted the police, which led to him being placed in the care of Mrinaljyoti Jyotiniwas Children Home in the nearby Dibrugarh district. His communication issues added difficulty, and attempts to identify him through writing or sign language were unsuccessful.
However, a breakthrough came when staff at the children’s home showed Ram a collection of visual aids. He recognized an Aadhaar card and pointed to it, revealing his previous familiarity with the identity verification system. On April 9, 2025, the superintendent sought help from UIDAI’s Regional Office in Guwahati to leverage Aadhaar in establishing Ram’s identity.
Following UIDAI’s advice, they conducted biometric authentication by capturing his fingerprints, which led to a match in the Aadhaar database. This pivotal step helped them discover his home address and get in touch with his family.
On April 23, 2025, Ram reunited with his family, ending a long and challenging period of separation. UIDAI continues to remind parents about the importance of registering their children for Aadhaar and keeping biometric information updated.
The reunion of Ram Bahadur Pradhan with his family exemplifies the effectiveness of Aadhaar in aiding lost individuals, especially those with disabilities. It emphasizes the importance of biometric identification systems in addressing similar situations. Parents are urged to enroll their children in Aadhaar early and ensure their information remains current.
Original Source: www.indiatodayne.in
