Shillong: In a major step toward linguistic inclusion and digital empowerment, the Government of Meghalaya has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Digital India Bhashini Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to integrate the Garo and Khasi languages into the Bhashini platform.
The agreement, signed in the presence of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Minister of Art and Culture Paul Lyngdoh, marks a significant milestone in bringing indigenous languages into India’s growing AI-powered digital ecosystem. Members of the Khasi and A'chik Literature Societies also participated in the signing event.
Bhashini, a flagship initiative under the Digital India programme, currently supports all 22 constitutionally recognized Indian languages. By joining this group, Garo and Khasi will soon be digitally accessible, placing Meghalaya among the select states advancing regional language inclusion through technology.
Speaking at the ceremony, CM Sangma noted, “Through the power of Artificial Intelligence, we are now able to not only translate what we say but also what we mean. This initiative will revolutionize how we communicate, educate, govern, and do business, especially at the grassroots level.”
To ensure smooth implementation, the state has constituted a State Language Mission under Chief Secretary D.P. Wahlang. The mission will focus on integrating dialects, alphabets, and unique linguistic structures of both languages into the AI model. While Khasi is already available on the Bhashini app in its early stages, data collection is underway to build a robust AI model for the Garo language.
This local initiative is part of a much larger national vision. Across India, Bhashini is actively working with over 70 research institutions to digitize nearly 1,600 regional dialects, aiming to create a linguistically inclusive digital environment. Additionally, the National Digital Library of India (NDLI) already provides educational content in over 39 Indian languages, highlighting the growing commitment to equitable access across linguistic lines.
Experts said the inclusion of Garo and Khasi will not only preserve cultural heritage but also promote rural innovation, tourism, last-mile digital access, and effective governance.
Digital India Bhashini CEO Amitabh Nag and IT Commissioner Secretary Pravin Bakshi signed the MoU on behalf of the two parties.
BI Bureau
