Being superstitious, you may succeed in getting a number of your choice — whether it’s a mobile phone and motor registration by shelling out more or using your influence or some other means.
But don’t count on those things to come to your help when you apply for a Unique Identification (UID) number. The computer would throw up a random 16-digit number and there is no way you can change it.
The Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) made this clear at the Bangalore IT.biz 2009 conference here, where he delivered a “Vision 2020 - Leadership Series” address.
An audience member asked during a question and answer session after the address — would there be a scheme by which he (who is supestitious) can get a special ID number ?
“No special number. Take the number you get,” Mr. Nilekani said. “Number will be numeric; it will be a 16-digit number.”
