The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has launched the ‘BHASHINI Rajyam’ initiative in Goa to promote AI-powered multilingual governance and strengthen language-first digital public services. Organised in collaboration with the Goa government’s Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, the state-level workshop brought together policymakers, technology experts, startups, academicians and industry representatives to discuss the future of language-based digital innovation.
The event was attended by Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and IT Minister Rohan A. Khaunte, who highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in making government services more inclusive and accessible.
Focus on Multilingual AI for Better Citizen Services
The workshop centred on the use of artificial intelligence to break language barriers in public service delivery. A key area of discussion was the adoption of AI-powered tools for the Konkani language, enabling citizens to access government information and digital services in their preferred language.
Officials noted that technologies such as speech recognition, AI-based translation and voice-enabled platforms can make digital governance more user-friendly, especially for people who are more comfortable communicating in regional languages.
Building a Language-First Digital Ecosystem
Addressing the gathering, Amitabh Nag, CEO of the Digital India BHASHINI Division, outlined the vision of creating a language-first Digital Public Infrastructure. He said the platform is designed to support multilingual communication across sectors such as governance, healthcare, education, tourism, banking and citizen services.
He also stressed the importance of collaboration between governments, educational institutions, technology companies and language experts to strengthen regional language ecosystems, including Konkani.
Showcasing AI-Based Language Technologies
During the workshop, participants were introduced to BHASHINI‘s AI-powered solutions, including translation, speech-to-text, text-to-speech and transliteration technologies. Live demonstrations highlighted how these tools can be integrated into government applications to improve public service delivery and enhance user experience.
The event also featured discussions on expanding Konkani language datasets, improving AI language models and identifying state-specific use cases to accelerate the adoption of multilingual digital services.
Strengthening Digital Governance in Goa
The workshop marks the beginning of closer collaboration between the Digital India BHASHINI Division and the Government of Goa to expand the use of AI-driven language technologies across the state.
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By promoting multilingual digital platforms and reducing language barriers, the initiative aims to make governance more inclusive while improving access to government schemes and services for citizens. It also supports the broader objective of building a technology-driven and citizen-centric digital ecosystem in Goa.