Dehradun – The Uttarakhand government took a decisive step toward safeguarding its linguistic heritage on Thursday, when Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated a dedicated voice‑collection portal for Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari. The platform, built by the AI Strategic Engineering (AiSE) Foundation under its “Bhasha AI” programme, opened with a short Kumaoni audio clip recorded by the CM himself.
Why a Digital Voice Bank?
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister stressed that regional languages form the backbone of Uttarakhand’s identity. He argued that leveraging modern technology is essential to keep these languages vibrant, especially as artificial intelligence becomes a daily utility. By feeding authentic speech data into AI models, the state hopes to make its linguistic legacy visible on national and global digital stages.
Bridging the Rural‑Urban Divide
Dhami highlighted a practical goal: enabling residents of remote hill villages to receive government information in the language they speak at home, and to voice their concerns without the barrier of a second language. For AI assistants, chat‑bots and translation tools to be truly inclusive, they must first understand the nuances of Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari.
What the Portal Captures
- Extensive vocabularies from each language, including rare dialectal terms.
- Accurate phonetic recordings that reflect local pronunciation.
- Diverse speaking styles—ranging from formal announcements to everyday conversation.
According to the CM, the same word can sound markedly different across valleys and districts. By aggregating a broad spectrum of voice samples, the AI will learn to recognise these variations and respond appropriately.
“This initiative is more than a data‑gathering exercise; it is a bridge that will connect future generations with Uttarakhand’s folk art, music and traditions,” the chief minister remarked.
Support from the Cultural Frontline
Padma Shri award‑winning folk singer Pritam Bhartwan, who attended the launch, reminded everyone that the regional languages carry centuries‑old traditions of Jagar chants, folk songs and oral histories. He pledged the Jagar Academy’s assistance in preserving authentic pronunciation and cultural context.
Sachidanand Semwal, founder of the AiSE Foundation, explained that the “Bhasha AI” project is already amassing thousands of words and voice clips, with the long‑term aim of enabling AI‑driven applications to converse fluently in Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari.
Other dignitaries present included Shakti Prasad Bhatt, Gajendra Nautiyal, Anirudh Raithwan, Nidhi Semwal, Anil Godiyal, Dr. J.K. Pandey and Dev Raturi, all of whom voiced their support for the digital preservation effort.
