India
is a multilingual, multi-script country with 18
official languages and 10 different scripts. Over
1650 dialects are spoken in various parts of the
country. Two-third of over one Billion population
of India can communicate in Hindi that is the
national language. But most of the Hindi speaking,
States lag behind in economic development. IT
Task Force 2000, hence, made specific recommendation
for promoting IT penetration aiming at socio-economic
development in these States. In that context in
seven States – Bihar, Jharakhand, Madhyapradesh,
Chattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttranchal
– CoIL-Net (Content Development and IT Localisation
Network) centers were setup with the technology
support for providing basic information processing
tools & trouble shooting aids, machine-aided-translation,
and enriching content with dialectic variations.
ICT is the enabling technology; enhances productivity;
ensures transparency of information; connects
up at regional, national and global levels; adds
up speed and quality of human processes. Hence,
ICT enabled governance, learning, healthcare and
business will spur socioeconomic development.
Voice based communication was adopted well, and
hence, use of cellular phone increased drastically
in rural and suburban areas. Text-based communication
and information processing find resistance due
to lack of matured language technology, lack of
standards and lower affordability. Below the threshold
of the societal absorption of ICT, it is necessary
to take promotional measures to attain critical
mass by way of providing affordable technology
and creating wider awareness.
C-DAC has sets-up the helpline for trouble-shooting
(Email: coilnet@yahoo.com). IIT Kanpur is developing
Machine-Aided- Translation System from Hindi to
English.
CoIL-Net Centers in the States are equipped with
repository of various information processing tools
in Hindi. They are developing test-bed models
for e-health,e-learning, e-tourism, e-business;
moreover; organize IT localisation clinics wherein
small business representatives participate for
IT solutions to their real-life problems. Gyanaudyog
scheme will promote ICT entrepreneurship. CoIL-Net
centers thus emerge as the center for excellence
in the state, and facilitate cooperation and competition
for rapid socio-economic development.
This issue focuses on the efforts towards up-bringing
socio-economic indicators by way of increasing
awareness of ICT enabled solutions.
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