23-year-old engineer from Mumbai develop QR code to track stray animals

Akshay Ridlan, a 23-year-old engineer from Mumbai, has developed a QR code that can be tagged to animals, especially community animals that are more prone to being lost and are more vulnerable. The QR code can help to find them in case they go missing from their areas.

This new development is a hit among animal lovers. India Today spoke to Akshay Ridlan for more information about the QR code for animals and its benefits.

Akshay explained that the QR code is simply an Adhar card for community animals who can get lost or can get relocated by people.

"This QR code is nothing but a digital Aadhar card for animals. Aadhar cards keep track of general data so this QR code, whenever anyone scans, will reveal the information about that



tagged animal," says Akshay Ridlan.

Inspiration comes in many forms. Some people get inspiration from their idols. Some people get inspiration from their companions. And no companion is better than your pet. For Akshay, a stray dog named Kalu came as an inspiration.

"My beloved stray friend Kalu inspired me to initiate this cause as he went missing in May 2020, due to firecrackers. Losing a pet is the worst feeling one can go through," he says.

He also mentioned that the QR codes can be used on any animal irrespective of their size and would act as a digital Aadhar card by allowing the government access to the data. He said that it would be easier for anyone to track their medical, personal, and caretakers' information easily.