Despite the widespread use of the internet, accessing accurate and error-free information in the Odia language on various search engines and social media platforms remains a challenge, often causing difficulties for Odia-speaking users.
To address these issues and promote the correct use of the Odia language online, the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department held a virtual meeting with Google India on Monday.
The meeting focused on how Odia users worldwide can seamlessly access information in their native language and express themselves clearly on digital platforms.
Discussions centered on ensuring the correct representation of Odia on digital platforms, accurate translation of information from English to Odia, standardizing the Odia script font, and promoting precise Odia for self-expression on social media. Efforts were also made to make all necessary information available in Odia, ensuring easy access for users.
Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department, participated in the meeting and discussed with Google India representatives how Odia could be accurately presented online.
He emphasized that enabling the use of precise and error-free Odia would help connect Odia speakers globally and provide a powerful medium for expression. He also highlighted the benefits of making diverse information available in Odia, which would greatly assist the general public, students, intellectuals, and researchers.
The meeting also covered the development of Odia language capabilities in artificial intelligence models to ensure effective information access in Odia.
Other attendees included Bijay Ketan Upadhyay, Director of the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department; Laxminarayan Mishra, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; Debaprasad Dash, Joint Secretary, Odisha Culture Department; Fanindra Nanda and Premananda Mahapatra from the Odia Bhasa Pratisthan; and Harsh Dhand and Amrita Kamat from Google India.