Garo and Khasi Goes Digital
The Meghalaya government partners with Digital India Bhashini to integrate Garo and Khasi languages into the BHASHINI platform, marking a major step towards digital inclusion, linguistic preservation, and technological innovation.
In a move that’s sure to get tongues wagging (quite literally), the Meghalaya government has inked a rather significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Digital India Bhashini Division under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The goal? To give the good old Garo and Khasi languages a seat at the digital table via the BHASHINI platform — a flagship project that’s been making waves across the country.
Now, BHASHINI isn’t just any run-of-the-mill tech initiative. It’s the crown jewel of the Digital India programme, a platform that speaks volumes — quite literally — about linguistic inclusivity. With 22 Indian languages already onboard, the addition of Garo and Khasi is not just the icing on the cake but a proud feather in Meghalaya’s cap.
Present at the signing shindig were various important persons and not to mention a few literary heavyweights from the A’chik and Khasi societies. It was a proper knees-up of cultural custodians and tech visionaries, all gathered under one roof to toast this digital milestone.
Who could imagine that one day, through the power of Artificial Intelligence, we would be able not only to digitally translate what we say but also what we mean?
Indeed, what a time to be alive. From the look of things, Meghalaya’s set to leapfrog into the future without cutting its cultural moorings. Hopefully the integration will transform everything from grassroots communication and governance to education, tourism, and healthcare.
To get the ball rolling, a State Language Mission for Bhashini has been formed, chaired by Chief Secretary DP Wahlang. The mission will oversee the nuts and bolts — everything from research and digitisation to alphabet integration and dialectal differences, making sure no vowel or consonant is left behind.
The Khasi language has already muscled its way into the BHASHINI app, with tweaks on the way thanks to local input. The Garo language isn’t far behind — the data’s being gathered, and with the MoU now signed, things are expected to pick up pace.
Experts have hailed the initiative as a “milestone moment,” paving the way for cross-cultural exchanges and giving rural innovation and tourism a shot in the arm. Think of it as Meghalaya finally having its cake and eating it too — digitally, and in its own mother tongue.
The MoU was signed by CEO of the Digital India Bhashini Division, Amitabh Nag, and Meghalaya’s Commissioner Secretary of the IT Department, Pravin Bakshi, sealing what promises to be a game-changing chapter in the region’s journey towards digital inclusivity.
One might say — the writing’s on the (digital) wall. And in Khasi and Garo, no less.
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