'Reunification at Maha Kumbh made easier through digital lost & found centres'

Lucknow: In episode 11 of Uttar Pradesh Police's podcast "Beyond the Badge", the digital lost & found centre head at Maha Kumbh, Mani Jha, alongside Sant Prasad Pandey from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Smriti Samiti, discussed their collaborative work in reuniting separated devotees with their families and detailed their operational methods.

The podcast series was initiated by DGP Prashant Kumar, following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's instructions to showcase UP Police's achievements and innovations through video platforms. Deputy SP Tanu Upadhyay and Mansi Tripathi hosted this episode, exploring both conventional and contemporary lost-and-found operations at Maha Kumbh.

Sant Prasad Pandey said the Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Smriti Samiti has been running its lost & found centre since the 1950s during Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh events.

"We used to write names of the missing persons on slips and announce them through loudspeakers. However, the digital lost & found centre works with modern technology, allowing for much faster reunification. In fact, many people registered at our centre were referred to the digital centre for quicker results," he said.

Mani Jha recounted that the digital lost & found centre was established with police support during the 2019 Kumbh and successfully reunited 39,000 individuals with their families. This year, two new technologies significantly enhanced their operations—Artificial Intelligence and the govt of India's Bhashini portal.

Using facial recognition and AI, they could swiftly match missing individuals with stored data such as names, addresses and family photos. The Bhashini portal enabled real-time translation of regional languages into Hindi or English, ensuring smooth communication with devotees from all parts of the country and eliminating language barriers.

Pandey reflected on how mobile phones have made such efforts much easier today.

"In earlier times, missing persons were traced with the help of village watchmen or local drum-beaters going door-to-door with announcements," he said.

Jha highlighted that their centre had separate sections for women, children, elderly persons and men. Children were cared for by dedicated volunteers and entertained with toys and games until they could be reunited with family.

The centre also collaborated with NGOs for psychological counselling for those who were lost or disoriented.

During Maha Kumbh, 10 digital centres were set up across various sectors. Large display screens in each centre continuously broadcast information about missing persons. Despite the technological advancements, Jha emphasised that the support of the police was crucial in resolving many cases.

"The police and volunteers are the two eyes of the digital lost and found system. Without the police, reuniting families would be nearly impossible," he said.

They also shared memorable stories of reunification and discussed preparations for peak days like Shahi Snan.

The guests advised future pilgrims to wear a tag or badge displaying their or their family member's mobile number to facilitate quick assistance in case someone goes missing.