Nagpur/New Delhi: In a significant development, the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, has unveiled a new initiative that allows residents from any remote corner of the country to track and recover their lost or stolen mobile phones. This citizen-centric online portal, named ‘Sanchar Saathi,’ has been revamped and will now be expanded to serve the entire nation. The official launch of the portal is scheduled for May 17, coinciding with World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
Currently, the ‘Sanchar Saathi’ portal is limited to the Mumbai and Delhi circles. However, with the upcoming expansion, individuals from all regions will have access to its services. This initiative aims to empower mobile phone users by providing them with a reliable platform to track and retrieve their lost or stolen devices.
According to reports, the inauguration of the revamped portal will be conducted by Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Communications, Government of India. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the prestigious Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
The enhanced ‘Sanchar Saathi’ portal will offer a user-friendly interface, allowing individuals to register their mobile phones and report any loss or theft incidents. Once a complaint is registered, the portal will leverage advanced tracking technologies to locate the device and assist in its recovery. This integrated system will involve collaboration between telecommunication service providers, law enforcement agencies, and relevant government authorities.
By expanding the ‘Sanchar Saathi’ portal nationwide, the Government of India aims to address the rising concerns surrounding mobile phone theft and loss. This initiative not only provides a valuable resource to the citizens but also strengthens the country’s digital infrastructure and reinforces its commitment to leveraging technology for public welfare.
With the launch of ‘Sanchar Saathi’ on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, the Government of India sends a clear message about its dedication to promoting connectivity, digital inclusivity, and ensuring the security of its citizens’ mobile devices.
As the portal becomes accessible across the country, mobile phone users can take advantage of this innovative solution to protect their devices and have peace of mind knowing that assistance is readily available in case of any unfortunate incidents.
The nationwide expansion of ‘Sanchar Saathi’ signifies a significant step forward in leveraging technology to enhance citizen services and improve public safety in the digital age. The Department of Telecommunications remains committed to promoting initiatives that enable seamless communication and empower individuals with the tools they need to navigate the modern digital landscape effectively.
What is Sanchar Saathi?
The Sanchar Saathi portal is a citizen centric initiative of Department of Telecommunications to empower mobile subscribers, strengthen their security and increase awareness about citizen centric initiatives of the Government. Sanchar Saathi empowers citizens by allowing them to know the mobile connections issued in their name, discontinue any connection not required by them, block/trace lost mobile phones and check genuineness of devices while buying a new/old mobile phone. Sanchar Saathi contains various modules like CEIR, TAFCOP etc.
Phones recovered till date
As per the Sanchar Saathi web portal, 4,79,573 lost or stolen mobiles have been blocked and 2,43,355 mobile phones have been traced till date, while 8553 mobile phones have been recovered.
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2023 theme
World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on May 17 since 1969, marking the founding of The International Telecommunication Union and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. In November 2005, the World Summit on the Information Society called upon the UN General Assembly to declare 17 May as World Information Society Day to focus on the importance of ICT and the wide range of issues related to the Information Society raised by WSIS, according to the United Nations.
The theme for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2023 is ‘Empowering the least developed countries through information and communication technologies.’