Evaluation of Plan Schemes of the Department of Official Language

Indian language tools must therefore be a national priority. By focusing on
development of language tools that allow the interface between Hindi and
other Indian languages, the DOL has taken a pioneering step in the right
direction and has helped develop capacity, not only to meet its limited
departmental objective, but also to lay the foundation of a broader linguistic
exchange.
The next issue relates to the choice of executing agency for the
development of software. Since the commitment to the development of
Indian Language Tools has to be a long-term one, and C-DAC has a proven
track record and installed capacity in this area, it must be the first natural
choice. Being a public undertaking is also an advantage. Bringing in other
software developers may also be rewarding as the C-DAC IBM collaboration
for SHRUTLEKHAN has shown. The DOL may like to have C-DAC as the
nodal agency for such collaborations or it may independently engage other
developers on a case-by-case basis. But this is an operational policy of the
DOL. Collaborations and tapping of a broader pool of expertise may also
help making the software more user- friendly.
Whereas greater emphasis was placed on software development during
the Tenth Plan, the Eleventh Plan should attempt at spreading the
technological gains to the users’ domains. Attempting to link the DOL’s
existing training programmes with the new software available can easily do
this. The Language Teaching Courses of the DOL, which are run on
traditional lines, can gain if the learning method includes the usage of LILA.
This would require (a) that the teachers themselves are proficient in the
usage of LILA and can guide learners to get started and progress through
its usage in their spare time and (b) that the software and hardware are
available for ready demonstration and use at all locations where the classes
are held. Similarly, correspondence course learners could also be provided
with detailed guidelines about the use of LILA. The CD with the package
could be a part of the course material. The facility of on-line examination for
Prabodh, Praveen and Pragya would be helpful.
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