Capturing the milestones India has achieved in its 75-year journey since independence, software giant Google unveiled a vibrant online project on August 5 that draws from rich archives and features artistic illustrations to tell the country’s story.
The project, dubbed ‘India ki Udaan,’ was carried out by Google Arts & Culture and is “themed on the unwavering and undying spirit of India over the past 75 years.”
The project was officially launched at the Sunder Nursery in the presence of Union Culture and Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy and senior Culture Ministry and Google officials.
As part of the countrywide celebrations, Google also announced its collaboration with the Ministry of Culture focused “on reaching informative online content that showcases the contributions of Indians and the evolution of India since 1947 to support the Government’s year-long ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ programme,” the search giant said in a statement.
Doodle4Google contest for 2022 open for entries to students
It also announced that its popular Doodle4Google contest for 2022, themed on ‘In the next 25 years, my India will …’, is now open for entries to students of classes 1-10.
“The winner of this year’s Doodle4Google will see their artwork on the Google homepage in India on November 14 and win a ₹ 5,00,000 college scholarship, a ₹ 2,00,000 technology package for their school/non-profit organisation, a recognition of achievement, Google hardware, and fun Google collectables.
Four group winners and 15 finalists will also win exciting prizes,” it said in the statement.
In his speech, Reddy urged the Google team to create a special doodle on ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ to encourage its employees and others to participate enthusiastically in the campaign.
Digitally mapping boundaries of over 3,000 centrally protected monuments
In his speech, he also stated that Google could assist the Culture Ministry in digitally mapping the boundaries of its over 3,000 centrally protected monuments, allowing for better monitoring and encroachment control. He believes it can also aid in the digitization of rare archival material.
“Therefore, we urge the Google team to be a partner in the government’s transformative journey, as also promote India’s tourism destinations,” Reddy said.
The government issued a statement later saying the event was a continuation of the decade-long partnership between the Ministry of Culture and Google. This joint venture was organised under the aegis of
‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
“India today is in the middle of digital, data and disintermediation revolution. Digital revolution coupled with ease of doing business has allowed common Indian citizens to avail of services in a faceless, presence less and cashless manner,” Mr Reddy said in the statement.
“India has made available data at one of the lowest rates to users due to a proactive government policy is ushering in competition in the telecom sector, and the disintermediation revolution has removed middle-
men making India’s small businesses competitive and export ready,” he said.
Launch of series of special initiatives across its products and services
The Google statement said, “to mark 75 years of India’s independence, Google today announced the launch of a series of special initiatives across its products and services that will offer content and experiences created especially for the occasion to hundreds of millions of Indians through the anniversary year.”
The centrepiece of its celebrations is a new online collection called ‘India Ki Udaan,’ which can be found on the Google Arts & Culture website. According to the press release, the collection pays tribute to India’s rich cultural history and includes iconic moments from the last 75 years for people to relive, experience, and be inspired by.
It is available in English and Hindi and features more than 120 illustrations and 21 stories created by 10 talented artists, as well as exhibitions from various institutions across India, including the Ministry of
Tourism, Museum of Art & Photography, Heritage Directorate of Indian Railways, Indian Academy of Sciences, and Dastkari Haat Samiti.
“This initiative offers a unique view of India’s remarkable moments and lets people discover some of the most memorable moments in India’s modern history, its iconic personalities, its proudest scientific and sporting achievements, and how women in India continue to inspire the world. This commemorative collection will be expanded with a unique blend of archives and artistry for people in India and across the globe,” it added.
Theme of ‘India Ki Udaan’
The new Google Arts & Culture collection, ‘India Ki Udaan’ (literally translated as “India takes flight”), “is themed on the unwavering and undying spirit of India over these past 75 years,” according to Google.
The ‘India ki Udaan’ project, according to Simon Rein, senior programme manager at Google Arts and Culture, “marries the rich archival content with artistic talent as demonstrated by illustrators.”
A kite-shaped digital screen, pictures with augmented reality experiences, and other tech-driven experiences were also set up at the venue as physical representations of the new digital collection.
In its 10th year in India, Google Arts & Culture has showcased India’s rich culture in many ways. Working with over 100 partners in India, it has brought India’s cultural heritage to people all around the world.
