Even as the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is laying the groundwork for issuing the first set of UIDs to citizens by February 2011, it has been inundated with emails and letters from volunteers who want to help/be part of the project from across the country.

So far, the UIDAI has compiled a list of some 600-700 volunteers and will soon start vetting them. From software coders to high-level techies, ex-service men to NGOs, everybody is enthused by the UID idea and wants to pitch in. Some have even suggested new places where the UID could be embedded?like the cemetery!

The authority said that it would need volunteers at three main levels – big-picture thinkers at a conceptual level, implementers at the actual ground level and lastly, evangelists – who simply spread awareness about the benefits of UIDs.

Though the authority issued a formal policy on recruitment of volunteers and people on sabbatical recently, by then it had already received over 300 letters and emails from people who wanted volunteer. Another 350-400 mails have come after the announcement of the policy.

For instance, an ex-servicemen association, which works for street children, wants to enroll people into the database and spread awareness. NGOs Hissar and Saurashtra have also written in, with one particular organisation seeking to assist backward tribals get UIDs. Of course, the project has also captured the interest of techies. From software coders to strategic IT systems thinkers, all have assured the UIDAI of complete back-end support.

The UIDAI has come up with a specific policy on people who are on sabbaticals. ?Considering that the UID Project is a unique venture in its design and implementation and will be chartering unknown territories in in technology, logistics and computing, it is necessary that it has access to the global professionals in ICT, management, contracts, procurements and public administration,? it said. The UIDAI now intends to correspond with volunteers and meet them in person before deciding which roles they may be able to assist in.