Odisha Govt Collaborates with Google to Promote Odia

Bhubaneswar: The Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department of Odisha government conducted a virtual meeting with Google India on Monday to discuss enhancing the use of the Odia language across digital platforms. The primary aim was to facilitate seamless access to information in Odia for users globally and to improve self-expression in their native language.

Key topics during the meeting included ensuring accurate representation of Odia online, translating content effectively from English to Odia, and standardising Odia script fonts. Participants also explored strategies for making essential information readily available in Odia on digital platforms to promote accessibility.

Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary of the Odia Language Department, stressed the importance of presenting Odia correctly online. He asserted that precise and error-free Odia would strengthen connections among Odia speakers worldwide and serve as a vital means of expression. Sethi also highlighted the significance of providing diverse information in Odia, which would benefit the general public, students, and researchers. The discussion extended to enhancing the capabilities of Odia within Artificial Intelligence (AI) models to ensure effective information access in the language.

Attendees included Bijay Ketan Upadhyay, Director of the Odia Language Department; Laxminarayan Mishra, Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; Debaprasad Dash, Joint Secretary of the Odisha Culture Department; and representatives from Odia Bhasa Pratisthan, alongside Google India team members Harsh Dhand and Amrita Kamat.