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