In a move to break language barriers and promote inclusive innovation, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of NITI Aayog and the Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) in New Delhi on Thursday. The partnership aims to foster vernacular innovation and enhance language inclusivity across India’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The SoI was formalized during a meeting between AIM Mission Director Deepak Bagla and DIBD Chief Executive Officer Amitabh Nag, focusing on strategies to integrate language technology into AIM’s nationwide programs. As an initial step, content from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Academy will be translated into multiple Indian languages using Bhashini’s tools, building on a prior Joint Letter of Intent between AIM and WIPO. The collaboration may also explore gamification of learning content through Bhashini’s platforms.
Startups and stakeholders in the AIM ecosystem will gain access to tools and sandbox environments to support multilingual product development. The partnership will also leverage Bhashini’s language technologies to support grassroots innovators through initiatives involving Atal Incubation Centres (AICs), Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACICs), and new Language Inclusive Program for Innovation (LIPI) centres, which will focus on skilling and capacity-building programs.
Deepak Bagla emphasized that the collaboration aligns with AIM’s goal of fostering inclusive innovation, ensuring accessibility for innovators across India regardless of language. Amitabh Nag highlighted that Bhashini’s language technologies will bridge communication gaps, empowering innovators from diverse linguistic backgrounds to participate in India’s digital and entrepreneurial revolution.
