Google has announced an innovative platform to make non-English users more comfortable in using Internet.
The Indian Language Internet Alliance (ILIA), which is a partnership between leading Indian technology and content companies, will encourage the Indian regional language content online. Google expressed they are hopeful that this initiative will bring 300 million Indian users will start using the Internet in the next three years.
Meanwhile, Google has launched an exclusive website for discovering Hindi content online, www.hindiweb.com and Google voice search in Hindi. To make users more comfortable, Google has also launched a Hindi keyboard, based on Google Hindi input.
Speaking at the launch, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said the increasing popularity of Internet through mobile phones shows that technology is fulfilling people's requirement by supplying required information on an ad-hoc basis.
He also added that the increasing popularity of Internet shouldn't be treated as a threat by traditional media platforms as all sectors of media are experiencing a rapid growth along with the Internet.
"Indians love new technologies. Nowadays everyone has a Facebook account, but more can be done. If the technology is user-friendly, I am sure millions of Indians will love to make use of internet," said Javadekar.
"The adaptive style and skills of people had successfully ensured the perfect blending between technology use and the masses at large," he added.
At the event, Google senior vice-president of Search, Amit Singhal, said he is on a mission to make sure the information is universally accessible to everyone, irrespective of language barriers. He launched Hindi Voice search for Google in India and said it will empower the Indian language users and advertisers.
The hindiweb is the first initiative by ILIA, catering to the needs of Hindi speaking internet users. It will allow them to search and find content in Hindi across websites, apps, videos and blogs.
ILIA is a consortium of 18 Internet industry partners including Google. The alliance is committed to promote the growth of Indian-language content online and bring 300 million Indian language speakers to Internet by 2017.
