What's in an ID?

We as a country don't think too much of identity proofs and information security, as is known for a fact, but I did not think these things were treated with so much alacrity out here. Someone I know who is quite a well-educated professional discarded her passport just because she never used it and it had expired!

Another lady who is a teacher in a reputed school in Bangalore tore away her SSLC marks sheet as it had gotten worn out, and yet another acquaintance claims to have two Electoral cards - one was issued in his popular nickname by how he was addressed by his friends, and then he got another issued in his official legal name. These are real people who are well-educated and are holding respected positions in society. Wonder how much worse things could get if we go further into towns and villages.

There are so many who hardly feel the need to apply & get a PAN card or even understand the importance of these legal identity proofs. And to prove my point, this was taken from one of the suburbs in Bangalore

Looks like Nandan Nilekani's Unique ID project is getting to be a herculean task for a country of our proportions!