India launches BhashaNet Portal for Digital Inclusion

The BhashaNet Portal is a digital platform developed by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to promote Universal Acceptance (UA) and support a multilingual internet.

Table of Contents

What is the Digital Divide?

The digital divide refers to the gap between people who have access to digital technologies like computers, smartphones, and the internet, and those who do not have this access.

In today’s interconnected world, not having access to digital resources can hold people back socially, economically, and educationally.
The digital divide exists between urban and rural areas, educated and uneducated groups, richer and poorer sections of society, and also between developed and developing countries.

Why is Bridging the Digital Divide Important?

Ensuring that everyone has equal access to digital resources and opportunities is very important because:

It improves digital literacy and skills among the population
It strengthens democracy by enabling more people to participate digitally
It increases social mobility and economic equality
It drives economic growth for the country

BhashaNet to Promote Digital Inclusion

Recognizing the importance of digital inclusion, the Indian government has launched BhashaNet Portal on 21st March, 2024:

NIXI and MeitY launch BhashaNet Portal

The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) have jointly launched the BhashaNet Portal.
This new initiative aims to enhance digital inclusion across the nation, especially for non-English speaking citizens.

What is the BhashaNet Portal?

Universal Acceptance (UA) means that all domain names and email addresses should be treated equally, no matter which language or script they use, and can be used by all Internet-enabled applications, devices, and systems.
BhashaNet portal aims to make .in (dot in) universally accepted domain.

How Does the BhashaNet Portal Promote Digital Inclusion?

The BhashaNet Portal offers several features that support multilingual internet access and promote digital inclusion:

It allows users to create email addresses in their native language and script. This empowers people who previously faced language barriers to use digital communication tools more effectively.
It enables the use of different languages and scripts in domain names and email addresses, creating a more inclusive digital environment.
By supporting local languages, it makes it easier for non-English speakers to navigate and use the internet, thus promoting their digital participation.

BhashaNet Portal Impact?

The BhashaNet Portal is expected to have a big impact on user connectivity and engagement by supporting multiple languages.

It aims to increase internet adoption and usage among people who may have previously been excluded due to language barriers.
The portal plays a crucial role in creating a more inclusive digital environment across India, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital revolution.

The impact of the BhashaNet Portal on digital inclusion can be summarized as follows:

Increased internet adoption and usage among non-English speaking populations
Improved access to digital resources and services for people facing language barriers
Creation of a more inclusive and equitable digital environment across India
Ensuring that the benefits of India’s digital transformation reach all citizens

How was the BhashaNet Portal Developed?

The BhashaNet Portal was developed through a collaboration between:

National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)

This partnership brought together expertise in:

Internet governance
Technology development
Multilingual computing

The involvement of these key stakeholders ensures that the BhashaNet Portal is:

Built on a strong foundation
Aligned with the goals of promoting Universal Acceptance
Technologically advanced to support multiple Indian languages

Final Thoughts

The launch of the BhashaNet Portal by NIXI and MeitY is a step in journey towards digital inclusion and the promotion of multilingualism on the internet. By providing a platform that supports the use of diverse languages and scripts in domain names and email addresses, the portal aims to break down linguistic barriers and create inclusive digital environment.