{
  "id": 13968972,
  "title": "QR code tags help trace missing children during Dasara Utsavams atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/qr-code-tags-help-trace-missing-children-during-dasara-utsavams-atop",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T13:49:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/qr-code-tags-help-trace-missing-children-during-dasara-utsavams-atop-indrakeeladri-in-vijayawada/article71574892.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) and Anganwadi staff have been issuing QR-code tags to children visiting Indrakeeladri for the Dasara Navaratri Utsavams in Vijayawada. The initiative aims to facilitate the tracing of missing children during the festival festivities.\n\nAnganwadi ayahs and ICPS staff have tagged around 17,000 children with QR codes within the first two days of the celebration. District Collector G. Lakshmisha reported that the tags have proven effective in locating missing children.\n\nWD&CW Project Director Shaik Ruksana Sultana Begum instructed staff to scan the QR codes as they move along the queue lines at multiple locations, placing tags on all children. During last year's Dasara Utsavams, about 75,000 children were tagged with QR codes.\n\nWithin the first two days of this year's event, seven children were traced and returned to their parents after their parents scanned the QR codes. The QR code system provides vital information about the child's parents, including names, contact numbers, and addresses.\n\nParents have expressed satisfaction with the QR code system. Mylavaram ICDS Supervisor Ch. Madhavi stated that the response from parents has been positive. ICPS officers Durga Prasad and Y. Johnson highlighted the deployment of 260 staff, including child helpline workers, for the Dasara Navarathri Utsavams.\n\nA relieved mother, Chandana, shared her positive experience, stating that her son went missing in the festival rush, but within ten minutes, the authorities called to inform her that her child had been traced. District Collector G. Lakshmisha highlighted the use of the QR-Code tagging system during previous events such as Krishna Pushkarams, Vijayawada Utsav, and other occasions in the State.",
  "summary": "Tags are being tied to children aged below 10 years. Any devotee, police, or temple staff who notices a missing child can scan the QR code to learn the parents’ names, contact numbers, and address, and hand the child over to the family members, says WD&CW Project Director",
  "key_points": [
    "ICPS and Anganwadi staff issue QR-code tags to 17,000 children during Dasara Utsavams in Vijayawada.",
    "Seven children traced and returned to parents within two days using QR code system.",
    "District Collector praises QR-code tagging system for locating missing children efficiently."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Minister reviews security via CCTVs for Dasara festivities in Vijayawada",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/minister-reviews-security-via-cctvs-for-dasara-festivities-in",
        "published": "2026-10-12T15:04:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}