In a recent development that underscores India’s commitment to fostering digital inclusion across its diverse linguistic landscape, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced ‘Bhashini,’ an innovative AI-powered language translation platform. This landmark announcement was made during the G20 Digital Economy Working Group Ministers Meet. It’s purpose according to the official website:
Bhashini shall act as an orchestrator to unify and align a large diverse network across government, industry, academia, research groups and start-ups to bring all their contributions into an open repository.
bhashini.gov.in
PM Modi highlighted India’s exceptional role as a testing ground for innovative solutions and emphasized the country’s dedication to addressing global challenges through its digital infrastructure. The introduction of ‘Bhashini’ aims to facilitate digital inclusion by transcending language barriers that often hinder access to information and services across India’s diverse linguistic spectrum.
“With ‘Bhashini,’ we are breaking down the barriers that language diversity can erect. This AI-powered language translation platform will enable digital inclusion across all the languages that enrich our country,” stated Prime Minister Modi. India’s linguistic diversity, spanning numerous languages and dialects, stands as a testament to the nation’s cultural richness and technological potential.
The significance of ‘Bhashini’ goes beyond national borders. India’s vast linguistic diversity provides an ideal testing environment for solutions that can be scaled and replicated globally. Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India’s success with ‘Bhashini’ can serve as a model for addressing similar challenges worldwide.
During the G20 Digital Economy Ministers’ meeting, PM Modi also spotlighted India’s progress in terms of digital inclusion. He highlighted that India offers some of the most affordable data consumption rates globally, with over 850 million internet users benefiting from cost-effective data plans. This affordability has played a pivotal role in propelling digital adoption across various segments of Indian society.
Prime Minister Modi further underscored India’s pioneering efforts in leveraging technology for financial inclusion. The integration of Jan Dhan bank accounts, Aadhaar (India’s unique digital identity platform), and mobile phones has revolutionized financial transactions and widened access to financial services for over 1.3 billion citizens.
The Prime Minister outlined the four Cs—Conviction, Commitment, Coordination, and Collaboration—as essential components for building a robust technology-based ecosystem capable of addressing humanity’s challenges. He emphasized India’s readiness to share its knowledge and experiences with the world, considering the country’s diverse cultural practices and traditions, alongside its cutting-edge technology initiatives.
