Important Facts of the News
- Two MoUs signed at Bhamashah Data Centre, Jaipur.
- First MoU between Rajasthan Department of Information Technology and Digital India Bhashini division.
- Second MoU among C-Side Startup Summit, Startup Armenia founder Dr. Hakob Hakobyan, IOLF and iStart Rajasthan.
- Objective is to use regional languages for public digital services.
- Bhashini aims to remove language barriers using AI and natural language processing.
- Farmers, women, youth and tribal communities to benefit through access to information in native languages.
- iStart programme supports thousands of startups in Rajasthan.
- A four-day Startup Mahakumbh to be held in Jaipur in January-February.
- Bhashini supports 22 scheduled Indian languages with future additions planned.
- Text-to-speech and speech-to-text to be enabled on government websites.
In Jaipur, two significant agreements were concluded at the Bhamashah Data Centre in the presence of Information Technology and Communication Minister Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore. The first agreement was between the state Department of Information Technology and Communication and the Bhashini division under the national Digital India programme. The second agreement involved C-Side Startup Summit, Startup Armenia founder Dr. Hakob Hakobyan, IOLF and iStart Rajasthan.
Regional Language Access for Public Digital Services
Colonel Rathore highlighted that Rajasthan is a culturally diverse state where spoken language varies across regions. The state intends to ensure that public services reach citizens in their mother tongues. The collaboration between the state department and Bhashini will help reduce language-related obstacles using modern digital technologies.
He noted that the vision of the central government focuses on enabling people with knowledge rather than restricting them by language boundaries. Through Bhashini, farmers will be able to receive updates on crops, weather and agricultural inputs. Women will find support in expanding small businesses, while students will be able to learn more easily in their native languages.
Support for Startups and the Upcoming Startup Mahakumbh
Colonel Rathore informed that the iStart programme in Rajasthan has been supporting thousands of startups across the state. A Startup Mahakumbh will be held in Jaipur to bring entrepreneurs, investors and key stakeholders together. The idea is to provide a shared platform that encourages collaboration and innovation, helping to strengthen the journey of a developed Rajasthan.
Strengthening Digital Inclusion
Dr. Ravi Kumar Surpur, Principal Secretary of the Department of Information Technology and Communication, said that working with Bhashini will enable communication services based on available data in regional languages. This approach is expected to enhance governance outcomes in farming communities, women-led enterprises, youth development programmes and tribal areas. The four-day Startup Mahakumbh planned in January-February will see participation from founders, investors and stakeholders from India and abroad.
Artificial Intelligence for Language Accessibility
Bhashini CEO Amitabh Nag explained that the initiative aims to eliminate linguistic barriers across India through artificial intelligence and natural language processing. The platform currently provides access to digital services in 22 scheduled Indian languages, and additional languages will be included progressively. The introduction of text-to-speech and speech-to-text features on government platforms will allow citizens to interact, submit applications and register grievances in their own languages.
Officials from the Information Technology and Communication Department and partner organisations were present during the event.