To enhance access to innovation by overcoming language barriers, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under NITI Aayog, and Bhashini, part of the Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), formalized a Statement of Intent (SoI) today in New Delhi.
This collaboration is designed to promote vernacular innovation and ensure language inclusivity within India’s dynamic innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The SoI was signed during a meeting attended by key leaders, including Deepak Bagla, Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission, and Amitabh Nag, Chief Executive Officer of Digital India Bhashini Division. The discussions centered on strategies to integrate language technology into AIM’s nationwide innovation programs to foster inclusivity.
As an initial step, content from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Academy will be translated into various Indian languages using Bhashini’s advanced language tools, building on the existing collaboration outlined in the Joint Letter of Intent between AIM, NITI Aayog, and WIPO. Additionally, both parties will explore opportunities to gamify learning content through Bhashini’s platforms.
Startups and stakeholders within the AIM ecosystem will gain access to specialized tools and sandbox environments to facilitate the development of multilingual products.
This partnership will also focus on supporting grassroots innovators by leveraging Bhashini’s language tools and technologies. The existing network of Atal Incubation Centres (AICs), Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACICs), and the newly established Language Inclusive Program for Innovation (LIPI) centres will incorporate Bhashini’s platforms for skilling and capacity-building initiatives aimed at grassroots communities.
Deepak Bagla, Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission, remarked, “This partnership aligns with our mission to promote inclusive innovation. By embedding language technologies into AIM’s initiatives, we are taking meaningful steps to ensure that innovators across India have equal access to opportunities, irrespective of their linguistic background.”
Amitabh Nag, CEO of Digital India Bhashini Division, added, “Language should not hinder innovation. Through our collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission, we aim to empower every Indian innovator, regardless of their linguistic background, with the tools needed to thrive in the digital and entrepreneurial landscape. Bhashini’s language technologies will bridge communication gaps and create new pathways for inclusive growth across India.”
This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to making innovation resources more accessible and inclusive, contributing significantly to India’s broader objectives of digital empowerment and equitable growth.
- PIB
