Bhashini: India is a land of vibrant cultures and a kaleidoscope of languages. It has long grappled with the linguistic barrier that divides its diverse population. With 22 official languages and countless dialects, communication across regions often involves translation and interpretation, creating hurdles in access to information, education, and government services.
However, with the advent of artificial intelligence, a new dawn is breaking, and one innovative tool, Bhashini, is spearheading the charge in bridging this linguistic divide. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi translated his speech into Tamil, breaking language barriers at the Kashi Tamil Sangamam festival.
What is Bhashini ?
Bhashini is an innovative AI-powered translation system developed by the government to facilitate conversations in various Indian languages, fostering better communication and understanding. It acts as a bridge to break down language barriers that have often hindered seamless communication.
Unveiled by PM Modi during the Digital India Week in Gujarat, ‘Digital India Bhashini’ aims to enhance internet accessibility and digital services in Indian languages. It’s not just about translation; it’s a visionary step towards promoting content creation in local languages.
Bhashini’s Roadmap: Foundation, Contribution, Innovation, and Grand Challenge
The government has outlined four tracks for Bhashini’s roadmap. It starts with laying the foundation, encouraging contributions from diverse sources, fostering innovation, and culminating in a grand challenge. This comprehensive approach ensures continuous improvement and adaptability.
What’s Bhasha Daan?
Under ‘Bhasha Daan,’ individuals can actively contribute to various crowdsourcing initiatives. From transcribing audio content to translating text, recording sentences in native voices, or labeling images, Bhasha Daan empowers people to participate in the language enrichment process.
Bhashini’s Significance in the Digital Landscape
In a country with over 19,500 languages and dialects, Bhashini becomes a beacon of inclusivity. Despite the vast linguistic diversity, most digital content is available in English. Bhashini, with its open repository and language initiatives, aims to bridge this gap, making digital content accessible to a broader audience.
National Language Translation Mission (NLTM)
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the National Language Translation Mission in the 2021-22 budget, acknowledging the need to make the internet more accessible to non-English speakers. This mission aligns with Bhashini’s goals, focusing on providing digital services in local languages.
Bhashini’s Impact
Bhashini’s ultimate goal is to create a knowledge-based society where information is freely available in native languages. With over 1,495 contributions in transcribing audio content, 1,306 in recording native voices, 937 in translating text, and 576 in labeling images, Bhashini’s positive impact is evident.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Bhashini stands as a testament to the positive strides India is taking towards digital inclusion. By encouraging language diversity, breaking down barriers, and actively involving people in the process through Bhasha Daan, the initiative paves the way for a more connected and accessible digital landscape. Embracing Bhashini means embracing a future where language is no longer a hurdle but a bridge to a more inclusive and interconnected society.
