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News18
3 days ago
- News18
Echoes Of Kashi: Walk Through Varanasi With UP's Audiobook That Tells Ganga's Tales In 13 Languages
Last Updated: UP Tourism is set to launch a GPS-enabled, app-integrated audiobook system that will guide your steps while covering all 84 ghats of Varanasi. the Ghats of Kashi will no longer remain silent. Instead, they will become living storytellers, speaking in 13 languages, narrating the legacy of gods and pilgrims, and inviting the world to not just see — but listen to — the soul of India. All this is set to become a reality as the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department embarks on a groundbreaking digital initiative to transform the way the world experiences Varanasi. They are going to launch a GPS-enabled, app-integrated audiobook system that will guide your steps while covering all 84 ghats of Varanasi. The idea is simple but powerful: to let visitors walk, sail, or even explore from afar while listening to professionally narrated content that brings to life the historical, religious, and cultural significance of each ghat — all through the UP Tourism mobile app. 'This digital audiobook will turn every walk along the Ganga into a spiritual and cultural journey. It's about telling Kashi's story the way it deserves to be heard — soulfully, accessibly, and globally," said Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary, Tourism. Authentic Stories in 13 Languages Officials said the GPS-enabled audiobook will be programmed in Hindi and English, narrated by professional storytellers, and further translated into 13 languages using the Government of India's AI-powered Anuvadini platform. These include 8 Indian languages — Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Kannada, Odia, Malayalam, Urdu — and 5 international ones — French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean. 'Kashi has always belonged to the world. This app will help people in Tokyo, Toronto, or Thiruvananthapuram connect with its divine rhythm," said Dr Shashikant Pandey, Head of Political Science at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University. Expert-Backed, Artistically Voiced Each ghat's script — limited to 2 minutes to retain listener interest — will be created by a team of researchers and vetted by a panel comprising historians, ASI officials, and cultural experts. This ensures factual accuracy and cultural sensitivity. These scripts will then be recorded by voice-over artists chosen specifically for their clarity, tone, and connection to the spiritual ethos of Varanasi. To enhance immersion, the background audio will include subtle effects — such as temple bells, river waves, conch sounds, or distant chants — designed not to overpower but enrich the narration. Offline Ready, Elder Friendly The app will also offer offline downloads so that users on boat rides or in areas with poor network connectivity can still access the content. The interface will be kept simple and intuitive, with pause/play options, chapter selection by ghat, and transcript toggles for the hearing impaired. 'Many elderly pilgrims or foreigners don't engage with printed guides or QR codes. This voice-led journey will feel more natural and accessible," noted Anupama Chauhan, Joint Director, UP Tourism. Rollout and Expansion Plans The rollout of the GPS-enabled audiobook system for Varanasi's 84 ghats will take place in three structured phases. Phase 1, covering the first three months, will focus on research, scriptwriting in Hindi and English, expert vetting by a panel of historians and ASI officials, and voiceover recording by professional artists. The content will then be translated into 13 languages using the AI-based Anuvadini platform. After editing and integration into the UP Tourism mobile app and website, with GPS-based triggers and offline access, the system will undergo internal testing and, following approval from the Tourism Department, be launched for public use. Phase 2 will span the next 36 months, focusing on content and technical maintenance, language updates, user feedback monitoring, and analytics reporting. The agency will ensure hosting support and smooth functionality across devices. Phase 3, an optional 24-month extension, may expand the system to nearby temples, heritage streets, or thematic trails, and potentially include advanced features such as AR/VR or AI-guided tours. This phased rollout ensures long-term sustainability and continuous enrichment of Varanasi's spiritual and cultural tourism experience. Transforming Heritage into a Living Classroom This initiative is not just about convenience or tourism numbers — it's about cultural preservation and emotional connectivity. 'You can build temples and pathways, but making people understand the spirit of a place — that requires storytelling. This app will be Kashi's voice," said Prof Rajeev Sinha, a historian involved in the content design process. With over 7 crore tourists visiting Varanasi in 2023 alone, including nearly 9 lakh foreigners, UP's Tourism Department hopes this step will boost experiential tourism, promote inclusivity, and create lasting emotional bonds between Kashi and its visitors. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IGNOU launches MBA programmes in Hindi and Odia
New Delhi: In a move aligned with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) announced the launch of its MBA programmes in Hindi and Odia mediums, with corresponding study materials now available in both languages. This initiative is part of a larger collaboration with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) under the E-Kumbh project, a national effort to translate core academic content into twelve Indian languages. Using AICTE's advanced machine translation tool, Anuvadini, IGNOU successfully localised its MBA curriculum to better serve learners who prefer to study in their native languages. The university also plans to roll out MBA programmes in 10 more Indian languages, making a significant stride toward eliminating linguistic barriers in management education. "This initiative marks a milestone in our pursuit of educational equity," said Mrutyunjay Behera, joint secretary, department of higher education, ministry of education. "By offering MBA programmes in regional languages, IGNOU is bringing professional education closer to the grassroots, in full alignment with NEP 2020's emphasis on multilingual and inclusive education. This is more than a policy implementation, it's a cultural transformation in education." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Professor Uma Kanjilal, vice-chancellor, IGNOU, expressed gratitude to the dignitaries and partners, adding, "Technology is the key enabler here, allowing us to create high-quality educational experiences across languages. Our mission is to ensure that no learner is left behind, regardless of their linguistic background." Dr Abhay Jere, VC, AICTE, emphasised the transformative role of artificial intelligence in education. "We are entering a new era where AI is enabling real-time translation and localisation of content at an unprecedented scale. The Anuvadini tool represents a powerful step in making education truly borderless," he said.
NDTV
04-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
IGNOU Introduces MBA Programmes In Hindi And Odia To Boost Multilingual Education
IGNOU MBA Programmes: In a major move to advance multilingual learning, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has introduced MBA programmes in Hindi and Odia. This initiative is part of the E-Kumbh project-a collaborative effort with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) aimed at translating essential academic material into 12 regional languages. To support this, IGNOU's MBA content has been adapted into regional formats using AICTE's AI-powered translation tool, "Anuvadini," making management education more accessible for students who prefer studying in their native languages. The university also plans to expand this offering by launching MBA programmes in 10 additional Indian languages, further easing language-related barriers in higher education. "This initiative marks a milestone in our pursuit of educational equity," said Mrutyunjay Behera, Joint Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, adding, "By offering MBA programmes in regional languages, IGNOU is bringing professional education closer to the grassroots, in full alignment with NEP 2020's emphasis on multilingual and inclusive education. This is more than a policy implementation-it's a cultural transformation in education." Dr Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman, AICTE, emphasised the transformative role of artificial intelligence in education. "We are entering a new era where AI is enabling real-time translation and localisation of content at an unprecedented scale. The Anuvadini tool represents a powerful step in making education truly borderless. AICTE is proud to partner with IGNOU in building an inclusive academic future," he noted. He advocated a subscription-based model of higher education for lifelong learning. Professor Uma Kanjilal, Vice Chancellor, IGNOU, said, "Technology is the key enabler here, allowing us to create high-quality educational experiences across languages. Our mission is to ensure that no learner is left behind, regardless of their linguistic background."
Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
IGNOU to offer MBA in Hindi, Odia
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has launched its flagship MBA programme in Hindi and Odia. The initiative announced on Monday marks another milestone in the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. One of the key features of the NEP was advocating for multilingual education and democratised learning. According to a statement from the university, the new language offerings aim to remove linguistic barriers in professional education, especially for students from non-English-speaking backgrounds. By offering core MBA study materials in Hindi and Odia, will aim to encourage learners to engage with complex business concepts in their mother tongue, increasing both accessibility and comprehension. How will the course be structured? This development is part of the E-Kumbh project, a national collaboration between IGNOU and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Through AICTE's 'Anuvadini' AI-powered translation tool, key academic resources have been translated to regional languages, supporting students in a more inclusive manner. Speaking at the launch, Dr Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman of AICTE, highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in breaking educational barriers. He said tools like Anuvadini are helping make education 'borderless' by enabling real-time, large-scale content localisation. Prof. Uma Kanjilal, Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, emphasised the university's goal of ensuring no learner is left behind. She also confirmed plans to expand the MBA offering to 10 more Indian languages, deepening the reach of professional education in regional contexts.
