Tripura Government Partners With MeitY To Utilize Bhashini AI for Promoting Regional Languages, Boosting Digital Participation in Rural and Tribal Areas | 📲 LatestLY
Agartala, January 28: In a monumental stride towards advocating regional languages and bolstering digital engagement, the Tripura state government has inked a partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to deploy Bhashini, an AI-powered language translation tool. This collaboration is particularly focused on overcoming language barriers prevalent in the rural and tribal regions of Tripura, where a significant portion of the population encounters difficulties with software systems predominantly crafted in English or Hindi.
The formal agreement, witnessed by Chief Minister Manik Saha, marks a pivotal integration of AI into the state’s digital infrastructure. This includes incorporating the Bhashini tool into various state government services such as the CM Helpline, Amar Sarkar app, eVidhan, and Kisan Sahayata App. The objective is to refine multilingual communication and elevate public service delivery, as outlined in a statement by the Ministry of Electronics and IT. This move also aligns with the broader digital aspirations of India, aiming to make technology and digital services more inclusive and accessible.
“The integration of Bhashini into Tripura’s e-governance suite is expected to bridge the existing digital divide, facilitate cost-effective translations, encourage inclusive policy adoption, and reinforce regional identity,” stated the ministry. Beyond governance, Bhashini’s capabilities are poised to make inroads into the educational sphere by fostering multilingual learning environments and tools.
This pioneering initiative is further anticipated to benefit law enforcement agencies by enabling the translation of First Information Reports (FIRs) and offering voice-activated data entry on the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) platform. With this agreement, Tripura stands out as the first state in the northeastern realm, foremost in eastern India, and the eighth across the nation to commit to the Bhashini initiative. Additionally, the IT Ministry has showcased the versatility of Bhashini by integrating it at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, enhancing accessibility in 11 distinct languages.
At the Mahakumbh, devotees are empowered to register lost or found items using voice commands in their native tongues, while the platform facilitates real-time text and voice translations to streamline communication. Moreover, the tool is equipped with multilingual chatbot support for addressing queries and guiding users through kiosk navigation, as detailed in the statement. Such advancements promise to significantly narrow the digital divide by rendering the internet more accessible in regional and local dialects, thereby empowering the citizens of Tripura.
The deployment of Bhashini within Tripura’s technological ecosystem not only signifies a step forward in linguistic representation but also emphasizes the potential for technology to drive socio-economic growth. As digital tools become more ingrained in the fabric of daily life, ensuring these technologies cater to diverse linguistic needs is crucial for fostering an inclusive digital society.
Overall, this partnership encapsulates a forward-thinking approach to digital governance, where local languages and dialects are given prominence in the tech landscape, driving greater participation and engagement from all societal sectors. The successful implementation of such technology can serve as a model for other states aiming to bridge linguistic gaps in their pursuit of digital excellence. With Tripura leading the charge, the future looks promising for an India where digital inclusivity is a reality for all.