Patil launches mobile, internet versions of Hindi software

Hindi went high-tech on Wednesday with the government launching a chip version of a Hindi translation software on mobile phones and the internet.

The MANTRA (Machine assisted Translation Tool) software, which would help translate government documents from English to Hindi, as well as LILA (Learn Indian Languages through Artificial Intelligence) software for learning Hindi on the internet and mobile handphones was launched at the annual 'Hindi Divas' ceremony at Vigyan Bhavan.

Unveiling the software, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil lauded the effort of the Department of Official Languages, Ministry of Home Affairs, who have developed the chips for easy, effective and fast translation of administrative documents and taking virtual steps to popularise Hindi among the masses.

The LILA series, already available on the web for learning Hindi via media of English, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu would now be available in Bengali, department officials said.

The software, now available in the form of multi-media card on cellular phones, promises to make Hindi learning more high-tech and easy, Patil said.

The MANTRA-Rajbhasha software, designed to facilitate the translation of government documents and put to use in the agriculture, health and administrative sectors is aimed at an interactive graphic user interface and has online thesaurus, dictionary, format retention facility and other tools.

Maintaining that Hindi should be used more in government administrative departments along with English, Patil said there is also a need to boost the language in all other regions other than the Hindi belt of the country.

He also gave away the Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi Raj Bhasha Awards on the occasion.