Microsoft to bridge digital divide with language software

Chennai:

In a bid to bridge digital divide and ensure computer literacy across the country, Microsoft is now trying to connect to masses with its Bhasha software that caters to 12 languages of the country.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Pradeep Parappil, senior lead, programme manager, Microsoft India, Gauri Arora, lead, Corporate Citizenship, and TNC Venkata Rangan, founder and chief executive officer of Vishwak, said that Bhasha is Microsoft India’s milestone in its effort to stimulate local language computing and there is a need to generate awareness about the language interface packs as 95 per cent Indians use their local language rather than English in their work and personal life.

Parappil says that people in India are unaware of 80 per cent of features in Microsoft Office and there is a need to educate people.

He also said that people could also download Bhasha software in the new laptops provided by the state government. “Currently, they are using the software provided by Elcot. But they can also download language interface packs from Bhasaindia.com,” he added.

Interestingly, Bhasa portal was launched eight years ago and initially it had three languages. Prappil says now language interface packs (LIP) are available in 12 Indian languages  and provide end to end platform support and include keyboards, fonts, shaping, sorting and collation etc.

He said the LIP for office provide language specific features like Thesarus, Spell checker and auto correct. It also has Indic language input tool, which facilitates users to input localized text easily and quickly.

Prappil also said that Microsoft is work on ways to help people access the computer and this include people with disability also. Citing out statistics, he says across the world there are one billion people with disabilities of which India has 70 million. “We are thinking beyond ramps in providing them accessibility,” he says.

“This is an untapped market. The vision is to create innovative technology that is accessible to everyone,” he added.

Gauri Arora said Microsoft is training non governmental organizations who work with disabled people on different sofwares. “We are using technology to help disable community to get into mainstream," she added.