Unique Identification Number project gets new name, logo
-ptinewsThe Government's ambitious unique identity project aiming to give a 16-digit number to all citizens of the country was today renamed 'AADHAAR' and its new logo unveiled.
The Unique Identification Number project of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) chaired by IT czar Nandan Nilekani was renamed 'AADHAAR' (foundation) as part of efforts to reach out to the common man.
"UID itself is very confusing. Some people call it DUI, somebody calls it IUD and so forth. So it was getting a little difficult to explain all this various permutations, combinations of this acronym," Nilekani said.
"Therefore, we wanted a name that could effectively communicate its transformational potential and its promise to residents. Something that had a national appeal that could be recognised across the country, could resonate in different languages and easy to remember and speak," he said.
Nandan Nilekani, Chairman, UIDAI, said,
“The word ’AADHAAR’ communicates the fundamental role of the UID initiative – its relevance, universality and its impact. It represents a new dawn of equal opportunity for each individual, which emerges from the unique identification which the number guarantees each individual. AADHAAR’s assurance of uniqueness and centralized online identity verification would be the basis for building these multiple services and applications - facilitating a greater connectivity to markets. AADHAAR would give any resident the ability to access these services and resources, anytime, anywhere in the country.”
Meaning of the Name AADHAAR
The Adhara - the "vehicle" or support of Consciousness
The name as it appears in a barcode