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Societal platforms create level playing field for public good: Nilekani
Washington, Oct 14 (IANS) Looking at Aadhaar beyond as a unique digital identity, its architect Nandan Nilekani has advocated using its technology for public good, as societal platforms create a “level playing field”.
“Societal platforms create a level-playing field for public good. It is possible to make digital payments through a combination of public financial institutions and private banks,” he said at a public event, organised by the Centre for Global Development here on Friday.
Participating in a panel discussion on “Societal Platforms: Building beyond Aadhaar for Sustainable Development”, the former Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) said societal platforms are about enforcing the rules of the game.
“Societal platforms are not about excluding market participants. They are about enforcing the rules of the game. That is the role of the society and government to provide the rules of the game,” he said.
Nilekani, 62, co-founder and the non-executive Chairman of Indian IT major Infosys, steered the world’s largest digital identity number project launched in 2009 by the then Congress-led UPA government and supported by the current BJP-led NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Aadhaar was not thought of as a specific point solution for an issue but it was a platform of identity that could be used for multiple uses,” he said.
“All ID card projects (across the world) historically have been need-based. One of the great achievements of the Indian government is to recognise that the ID itself should be a separate thing — what we call a foundational ID,” he said.
Aadhaar has led to an “existential question” in India on whether privacy is a fundamental right, he said.
“The Supreme Court of India gave out one of the best judgements in Indian history, recognising privacy as a fundamental right, and that however, the state can circumscribe that privacy for specific social goals like national security, prevention of crime, and social welfare benefits.”
In a landmark decision on August 24, Indian’s top court upheld the right to privacy as a fundamental right under the Constitution while dealing with a batch of petitions, which challenged the Central government’s move to make Aadhaar mandatory for availing benefits of its social welfare schemes.
There has been a framework set by the Supreme Court to circumscribe privacy based on “law, test of proportionality and reasonableness”, he said.
“There will be a court bench that will test whether Aadhaar meets that framework. We’re very confident that it will,” Nilekani asserted.
The event was held on the margins of the week-long annual World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting here.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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