Agartala: The Government of Tripura has signed an MoU with the Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, under the guidance of Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha. This marks a significant step in increasing the use of regional languages in governance and enabling digital participation in these languages.
 

The signing ceremony was held at Pragna Bhavan in Agartala during a state-level workshop, ‘Bhashini Rajyam’, inaugurated by IT Minister of Tripura Pranajit Singha Roy. The event was attended by IT Secretary of Tripura Kiran Gitte, CEO of DIBD MeitY Amitabh Nag, and IT Director of Tripura Jeya Ragul Geshan B.
 

Bhashini, an initiative under the Digital India programme, aims to ensure seamless communication and internet accessibility in 22 Indian languages. Using voice as a medium, it seeks to bridge both digital and literacy divides. The workshop outlined its vision for digital inclusivity and demonstrated its capabilities, including real-time translation, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and voice-to-voice translation between Indian regional languages and English. It also highlighted the use of artificial intelligence and natural language processing for accurate translations. The roles of the state and DIBD in implementing Bhashini were discussed, along with strategies to promote regional languages on digital platforms and government software applications.
 

Many citizens in Tripura, especially in rural and tribal areas, face challenges due to language barriers when using software systems in English or Hindi. Bhashini can integrate with existing platforms such as the CM Helpline, eVidhan, Kisan Sahayata App, and e-Districts to enable multilingual communication. It can also enhance local governance through applications like Amar Sarkar and support education with multilingual technologies. In law enforcement, Bhashini can assist the CCTNS platform by translating FIRs and enabling voice-based data entry. By enabling access to the internet in regional languages, it will help bridge the digital divide.
 

Tripura is the first state in the north-east, the first in eastern India, and the eighth in the country to sign an MoU with Bhashini. It joins a small group of states that have conducted focused workshops on Bhashini, with only four others having taken similar steps so far.
 

Integrating Bhashini into Tripura’s e-governance software will provide cost-effective translations, promote inclusive policy implementation, and strengthen regional identity. Supported by the Digital India Bhashini Division of MeitY, this initiative aims to remove language barriers and enable multilingual access to essential services. Its implementation will help unify Tripura’s linguistic diversity and create a more inclusive and connected society.
 

BI Bureau