"It can be used to track senior citizens, those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, children and those with a handicap who go missing from their homes,” 24-year-old Akshay Ridlan, an engineer from Bombay, told Parsiana on February 4, 2024. He has developed a QR code that can be hung in a stylish pendant around the necks of persons at risk of going missing. "The QR code can help to find them in case they go missing from their areas… We store crucial information like names, addresses, contact information, blood groups in the QR code.” The youth told us that he has given out over 1,500 such pendants, including 1,000 as free promotions. The cost of the pendant is Rs 450 currently. Details are available on https://projectchetna.in/
Top: Akshay Ridlan and his pendants to trace the missing;
above: Naazneen Katrak
Initially founded for canines, Ridlan said he decided to extend the service to humans after having set up pawfriend.in to trace missing dogs, "especially community animals that are more prone to being lost and are more vulnerable… It is like an Aadhar card for canines,” stated the Sion resident. The tags for canines are made of thick acrylic and can be hung around the necks of the pets. Reportedly a hit with animal lovers, Ridlan had told indiatoday.in last year that he was inspired to take this up as a project after his pet Kalu had gone missing due to distress from the sound of fire crackers.
Ridlan’s initiative was brought to Parsiana’s attention by businesswoman Naazneen Katrak who also runs a pet shelter, Paw Pets, in Palghar. "His pendant and tag will be of great interest to our Parsi community,” she wrote.