'ReUnite': A mobile app to track missing children
What's the story
A mobile application for tracking missing and abandoned children was launched by Union Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu and Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi in New Delhi today.
The app, christened as 'ReUnite,' will use Amazon Web Services based on face recognition technology to match the photographs of missing children with those in a Delhi Police database.
Here are more details about the app.
App connection
App will be connected with missing children's database of Delhi-police
The app, which was developed by the collaboration between Bachpan Bachao Andolan led by Satyarthi and IT major Capgemini, will be connected with the missing children's database of Delhi Police.
It's a multi-user platform which can be used to upload photos of missing children. Parents of missing children will be able to report details of such children.
App's idea
Idea for 'ReUnite' app developed at hackathon event: Capgemini COO
Capgemini COO Ashwin Yardi said that the idea for the app took root at an internal hackathon event.
"After the tech challenge to create a pool of concept to address the problem of missing children in India was over, the winning team's solution was taken forward to develop the app," he said.
Every year, 44,000 children go missing, of which just 11,000 are rescued.
Information
How will the database be maintained?
The database for the app will be updated mostly by end users who will come out with details and image of missing children and upload it. The photos of missing children will exist in algorithmic equations only, and not in physical memory of the phone.
Missing children
Missing children shouldn't be considered as just figures, says Satyarthi
Missing children shouldn't be considered as just figures as it's a tragedy for parents whose lives are thrown off track after losing their loved ones, Satyarthi said, adding each missing child reflects hopes and dreams of those that lose them.
Prabhu lauded Bachpan Bachao Andolan and Satyarthi for working for children and hoped the app would help in reuniting missing children and their parents.