Indian start-up builds Bhasha Sangam, an app that teaches 22 Indian languages

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has launched Bhasha Sangam, a mobile app that helps students to learn common usage sentences in 22 languages. The app has been developed by Multibhashi, an app selected by myGov through a competition.

Language learning should be promoted as a skill with a formal credit earning system, said Pradhan during the launch of the app. Bhasha Sangam was launched along with the quiz-based gaming app Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, which was launched to commemorate Rashtriya Ekta Diwas which is celebrated on October 31 every year to mark the birth anniversary of Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Read the Edugraph report here).

So far about 100 sentences in 22 different languages ​​have been uploaded on the ‘Diksha Platform’, which has content in Indian sign language, ​​along with video and audio.

Explaining the importance of learning other languages ​​including one’s mother tongue, the education minister said, “How many languages ​​a student learns should be assessed through exams and there should be a system of giving credit points for that.”

“The idea is that people should acquire basic conversational skills in an Indian language other than their mother tongue. We are aiming that at least 75 lakh people should acquire this skill during the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ period,” Pradhan further added.

Highlights of Bhasha Sangam mobile app:

• This is an initiative of DoHE, in collaboration with MyGov.
• The app has been developed by Multibhashi, a startup selected by myGov through a competition.
• At present, the app has 100 sentences of everyday usage in 22 Indian languages. More sentences will be added to the list.
• A learner will pass through stages on the basis of testing. There is also a detailed testing in the end with generation of digital certificate
• The app is available for download on both Android and iOS smartphones.

“NEP 2020 outlines the vision to lay emphasis on promotion of Indian languages. Going forward, language learning will be promoted as a skill with a formal credit-earning system,” Pradhan said, adding, “The initiative will enable students to embrace the linguistic diversity of India and sensitise them about the richness of its culture, heritage and diversity.”

One can learn all the 22 official languages of India for free. These include: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili and Dogri.

Major features of the app:

• The entire course is designed like an in-game lesson map.
• Each lesson is personalised, based on the user’s accuracy level in answering questions.
• Daily practice based on user’s accuracy levels and frequency of learning.
• Interesting images for each phrase to establish connection.
• 44 unique characters designed to depict the different cultures.
• 500+ cultural tips across all the languages to bring learners closer to the Indian culture.
• Instant feedback after each answered question.
• Star score is displayed on completion of each lesson to track progress.
• Final certification from Govt Of India.