Nilekani wants "best talent" from govt and outside

Leading the ambitious Unique Identification Database project, Nandan Nilekani, former Infosys co-chairman, is keen to take the "best people" from the government and outside in his core team.

Nilekani said that in his book, 'Imagining India', he has devoted a chapter on using technology to transform the country and was happy that he could come close to implementing it in reality with this project.

"I am happy that the Prime Minister has reposed the trust in me," he told PTI.

On the flexibility of drawing resources to build his core team, he said, "It is a national effort. I would look for the best people. It could be from the government, from outside."

Asked whether his former colleagues would form part of the team, he said it was too early to say. "I want the best talent," he added.

The Unique Identification Database deals with "creating one large data base of record of a billion residents in India", including the biometric details and enrollments.

"It could be used for verification of antecedents of any person in India," he said.

On whether he would write some more books, he said: "I will be more busy now. It is a huge complex project. Where is the time to write books."