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LENDING IDENTITY It’s often worn with pride and signals that the wearer is employed and responsible

A small card wrapped in plastic, clipped to a length of ribbon. Banded ID is the new passport, permit, door-opener. It’s worn with pride, with disgust, with habit, and ha, with not-so-pure intent. It’s a cell-phone on silent mode.

Look what this piece of hanging paper does. Gives an identity to the wearer, signals viewers he’s employed, responsible, has a home and address. It sends a strong message: “I work for a company, trust me.” But KG kids need it? “Yes,” said Velumani, Vice-Principal, Sai Vivekananda Vidyalaya. “The phone number and address on it reach the kid home if he strays, the blood group helps if he has to be hospitalised. Security staff and drivers recognise them.” Why do teachers wear it? “Because the kids do,” replied a KG teacher.

Why do call drivers sport it? “Helps at police check points after late night shifts,” said Mani from G.K. Call Drivers. Volunteers at NGOs? “A sense of belonging however temporary it may be.” So there. It’s a universal stamp of belonging and approval. For men from man-power agencies. For fly-by-the-stairs couriers. Annual maintenance guys. Salesgirls. Journos. Genuine workers. Non-genuine posers. The unionised and the unemployed. Who doesn’t? A shadowing private detective?

The ID moon has its dark side. The homemaker opens the door, spots the hanging plastic and assumes the guy is genuine. Earlier, you asked for proof of a stranger’s claim. “EB? Telephones? You have ID?” Well, you were expected to. When it was handed over, you gave it a good look, matched the picture with the face. Now the sight of the paper pendant satisfies you. Do you go near for a closer view? Ask him to take it off for a check?

“Suspended particle,” is how chartered accountant Seshadri dubbed it. “Nuisance, unless (a) the ribbon colour indicates the pecking order (b) you are a habitual wallet/cell phone loser or (c) accident prone.”

He would tolerate it if it’s guaranteed to fetch a fat dowry. “Shouldn’t it have an expiry date?” What he’d like is a smart card “that will see me through toll gates, bus rides and ticket counters. A “distant reader” system should debit the amount through it - an Octopus card.

Exactly what Kris Dev of LL2B has come up with. Called the Biometric Smart Card (BSM) this “birth-to-death” gizmo is a Citizen ID. It stores fingerprints and personal data for use any time anywhere. When linked electronically, you can use it to credit, debit, buy, vote – record all transactions including medical history, education, skill training, employment (attendance, work done, payment), income and expense tracking, insurance, compulsory savings, income tax, old age pension and PDS benefits. It’s cheat-neutral. You wouldn’t mind flaunting it.

If a worker walks out wearing the pass, doesn’t it make the company irresponsible? “The chances of that happening are minimal,” argued Asit Barma, VP, Satyam Computers. “For corporates like ours it’s isn’t just plastic-coated construction paper attached to a string. Our card has a bar code. It is security-authorised, gives one access and registers in and out times. Within the office building, it restricts movement. Access to the gym, canteen and workstation, and not to the overseas clients department. When he moves between floors or buildings, his entry time is recorded at every point.”

In other words, if he’s making a canteen detour, big bro will know.

Ok, such detailed analyses are uncommon, but in case of an enquiry, the employee can prove his innocence. “It minimises chances of fraud.”

What if he packs the ID when signing off? It’s open to misuse.

“Look, companies handling sensitive information do a thorough background check before hiring,” said Barma. “India is a high security country now, in geo-political terms. So an individualised card is a necessity. Employees everywhere need to complete separation formalities (“Surrender your stuff, please”) for settlement clearance. Sure, one with a criminal mindset could misuse it.

But then one could manufacture a card, right?” The rectangular marvel does come with strings attached.

Just one last use for the I-Card. It could pass as an ornament.

Or why would Chennai Sangamam dancers wear it on stage? (See photographs) Pride? Fashion accessory, with different coloured ribbons to match the dress?

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