NEW DELHI: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced ‘Udai’, a new mascot designed to improve public interactions with Aadhaar services. Unveiled at a ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram, the friendly figure is intended to clarify complex Aadhaar-related information for citizens, as explained by the Ministry of Electronics and IT.

Bhuvnesh Kumar, CEO of UIDAI, stated that the development of the mascot came out of an open national competition, reinforcing a critical principle of Aadhaar: that participation fosters trust and acceptance among the public. “The overwhelming response, with nearly 875 entries from across India, showcased how much the public relates to Aadhaar as a vital service,” Kumar remarked. The competition encouraged contributions from a diverse range of participants, including students, professionals, and designers, each envisioning a unique representation of Aadhaar.

The evaluation process was thorough, ensuring that the selected design resonated with the community's image of Aadhaar. Arun Gokul from Thrissur, Kerala, received the top prize for his mascot design. In a parallel naming competition, Riya Jain of Bhopal secured first place with the name 'Udai', followed by other commendable entries.

UIDAI Chairman Neelkanth Mishra, who unveiled the mascot, emphasized that this initiative marks another stride towards making Aadhaar communication more inclusive and user-friendly. “Our goal is to simplify the dissemination of relevant information about Aadhaar—from updates to responsible usage,” he stated.

The launch of Udai is part of UIDAI's continued efforts to foster a more engaging and informative relationship with over a billion residents of India, reflecting a commitment to public service and effective communication.