The spread of mobile telephony, access to banking services and the arrival of Aadhar will create real possibilities to transform rural India, said Mr Nandan Nilekani, Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), here on Thursday.

Addressing the 31st annual convocation of the Institute of Rural Management-Anand (IRMA) as chief guest, he said the foundation being built across the country could enable a rural transformation in the next few years.

Aadhar, the unique ID card launched by the Authority, would enable service providers across the country to link service delivery to remote authentication of identity, allowing benefits and services to be delivered directly to the person it is intended for, he said.

In fact, Aadhaar would play a transformational role in the lives of people and provide the first universal guarantee of identity in India. “Because the number is linked to the individual’s biometrics, it cannot be duplicated and will ensure uniqueness.”

Addressing a batch of 105 students who were awarded Post Graduate Diplomas in Rural Management, and four others, who were conferred the title of Fellow in Rural Management, Mr Nilekani said, “Don’t fear new ideas. In your careers, be willing to test innovations for effectiveness. When we are younger, we tend to assume that we know the answers, and the world’s problems are easily solvable… if only the systems in place now were less inefficient, less combative, less stubborn.”

Emphasising on continuous learning, he said, “The most successful people I have met are the ones who are constantly learning. Those who are sure, don’t have all the answers.”

The IRMA Board Chairman, Prof. Y. K. Alagh, who completes his six-year-term in November 2012, also addressed the gathering.

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