INDIA (CNN) -- Issuing identity-theft resistant ID cards to a population of 1.2 billion people is a big task, but that's what India is aiming to do, by scanning billions of eyes and fingerprints with biometric devices. Many of those lining up for their cards have never come into contact with this kind of technology, but they are relying on it to improve their lives.
Technology has barely touched Mira Devi's daily life. In her hut, muscle not machines gets the chores done. She and her family are among the millions of Indians who live in obscurity, unaccounted for on government rolls unable to apply for government aid. She says, Right now we don't have an identity so life is very difficult, we're all very poor so if we earn we eat otherwise we get nothing."
That is about to change for Mira and perhaps millions like her. At this center, Mira Devi, a woman who has never even used a computer is coming face to face with cutting edge technology that will give her an official identity for the very first time.
Her iris and all ten finger prints are scanned with biometric devices are uploaded and then sent to a massive server. Once this information is processed out comes a 12-digit number for her and her only. Nanda Nilekani says, "So our goal is to get to 1 million a day to get to about 600 million people in us enrolled in the system in the next four years." Add eventually all of India's citizens.
Nilekani is the man who help usher in India's booming outsourcing industry as CEO of Infosys was asked by the prime minister to head this new government program.
India's unique identification program started just a year ago. If it succeeds India will become the first country in the world using biometric data for identity purposes on a national scale.
Its first phase is aimed at the poor, who for decades have had to deal with a local often corrupt bureaucracy to get benefits that didn't transfer if they migrate. Nilekani says, "It's about giving a number to help people to get benefits."
Devi it hoping it means access to more food. She says, "With this card we'll be able to get rations, rice, oil, wheat, sugar all these things will be cheaper."
Rickshaw operator Moti Lal just received his card. He says the identification opens doors to other possibilities. He says, "I got the card made 'cause I'm hoping I can open a bank account and I can take loans and save money for my kids."
But the cutting edge technology identification system doesn't cut it with the few critics of the program who say it is too expensive and far too intrusive. They worry the government could potentially use against this data against its citizens.
And the estimated price tag for the program adds up to $2 per person or about $2.4 billion dollars.
But right now the critics are few and the masses keep coming. Many hoping the official recognition as a citizen will mean a slightly better existence.