AGARTALA, Jan 28: Tripura has become the first state in the North East, and the eighth in India, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The agreement, aimed at enhancing digital inclusivity through the use of regional languages, was signed under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha.

The MoU signing ceremony took place at Pragna Bhavan in Agartala during a state-level workshop titled ‘Bhashini Rajyam,’ which was inaugurated by Shri Pranajit Singha Roy, Hon’ble IT Minister of Tripura. The event was attended by prominent officials, including Shri Kiran Gitte, Secretary IT, Government of Tripura, Shri Amitabh Nag, CEO of DIBD, MeitY, and Shri Jeya Ragul Geshan B, Director IT, Government of Tripura.

Bhashini is a groundbreaking initiative under the Digital India program that aims to bridge the digital and literacy divides by promoting seamless communication and internet accessibility in 22 Indian languages. The platform focuses on voice as a medium and uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies to provide real-time translation, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and voice-to-voice translation between Indian regional languages and English.

The workshop highlighted Bhashini’s vision for Digital Inclusivity, showcasing its capabilities in improving the use of regional languages in digital governance. It also discussed strategies to promote regional languages on digital platforms and software applications for the Government of Tripura, aiming to reduce the digital divide and ensure inclusivity for diverse linguistic communities.

One of the major challenges currently faced by citizens, particularly in rural and tribal areas of Tripura, is the language barrier, especially when interacting with software systems that use English or Hindi. Bhashini offers a solution by integrating with existing systems such as the CM Helpline, eVidhan, Kisan Sahayata App, and e-Districts, enabling multilingual communication and enhancing local governance through platforms like Amar Sarkar. The initiative also promises to improve education and support the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) platform by translating FIRs and enabling voice-based data entry.

As the first North-Eastern state to sign the MoU, Tripura joins the ranks of just four other states that have taken similar steps toward multilingual digital governance. This significant milestone demonstrates Tripura’s commitment to leveraging technology for citizen-centric governance and digital inclusivity. By integrating Bhashini with the state’s e-Governance systems, Tripura aims to reduce the digital divide, provide cost-effective translations, and promote the use of regional languages in government applications.

The implementation of Bhashini will strengthen Tripura’s efforts to empower citizens, eliminate language barriers, and promote regional identity, creating a more inclusive and connected society.