How rejected Aadhaar applications helped two IAS officers reunite 10 missing people with their families in Madhya Pradesh

Time of India

24-05-2025

BHOPAL: A dedicated initiative led by two IAS officers, Gwalior District Collector Ruchika Chauhan and Dabra SDM Divyanshu Chaudhary has helped reunite 10 missing people with their families across different parts of India, including some who had been separated for more than ten years.
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The initiative, which began with Aadhaar enrolment for residents housed at Apna Ghar Ashram in Dabra, is now being praised for its innovative approach to assisting those abandoned or suffering from mental and physical disabilities. In recognition of this initiative, the UIDAI has written to collectors across Madhya Pradesh urging them to adopt the same strategy to help reunite missing persons with their families.
The Aadhaar enrolment programme at Apna Ghar Ashram in Dabra was initiated with the goal of identifying and reconnecting residents separated from their families. SDM Divyanshu Chaudhary explained that the mission began in October 2024 when he first visited the shelter home.
'We found that none of the residents had any official documents. So, we decided to start with creating Aadhaar cards for everyone in the shelter.
I sent a request to UIDAI asking if Aadhaar could be issued based on a letter from the Tehsildar confirming their residence at Apna Ghar. The request was accepted, and we enrolled around 84 residents,' said Chaudhary.
However, when the applications were processed, they discovered that 23 of the residents had already been enrolled in the Aadhaar system. Chaudhary continued, 'Using the existing Aadhaar details, we contacted the families of these residents.
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Out of the 23 families reached, 13 refused to accept their relatives back for various reasons. But 10 people were successfully reunited with their families across different districts.
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One of the most encouraging reunions was that of Kalavati, a resident of Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh, who had been missing for three years. Kalavati had been living at Apna Ghar Ashram due to mental health challenges. Her Aadhaar record, already in the system, helped authorities trace her family.
After contacting her family, Kalavati was joyfully reunited with her son Shivshankar and son-in-law in a tearful and emotional meeting at Apna Ghar Ashram in Dabra. Chaudhary added, 'It was an overwhelming experience for everyone present. Kalavati's reunion with her family showed the power of Aadhaar in restoring hope and bringing people back together.'
The success of the Aadhaar-based reunification initiative has caught the attention of UIDAI and the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
The regional office of UIDAI sent a letter to district collectors across Madhya Pradesh urging that the appropriate steps may be taken to organise new Aadhaar enrolment camps at the CCIs for this noble social welfare which may help in reuniting missing children with their guardians or parents.
The RO also reminded collectors of the 20 December 2022 SOP issued by the Ministry to help reunite missing children with their parents or guardians through Aadhaar.
The SOP encourages the organisation of new Aadhaar enrolment camps at Child Care Institutions (CCIs) for children who are missing, have run away, or have been abandoned. According to the SOP, 'New Aadhaar enrolment IDs of children enrolled in these camps should be compiled and shared with the UIDAI State Office Bhopal team.
If a child has already been enrolled prior to going missing, the system will reject the new application as a duplicate.
UIDAI will provide the original Aadhaar enrolment ID, which can then be used to download and print the Aadhaar card.'
The initiative to reunite missing children with their families is part of the government's broader social welfare efforts. UIDAI's Director (State Office Bhopal), Sumit Mishra, emphasised the importance of organising Aadhaar enrolment camps at CCIs for the welfare of children, urging the authorities to take action.
'It is sincerely urged that the appropriate steps be taken to organise new Aadhaar enrolment camps at the CCIs for this noble social welfare,' Mishra wrote.
Since the start of this initiative, Apna Ghar Ashram in Dabra has helped 10 persons, including Krishna, Karamchand, Sahdev, Devansh, Khemchand, Lilavati, and Devi, reunite with their families.
The impact of the initiative is already evident. As one of the officers involved said, 'Aadhaar has proven to be a game-changer in reuniting families. What started as a small effort at Apna Ghar Ashram has grown into a successful model that can be replicated across the state and country to help missing children and adults reconnect with their families.'