HYDERABAD: Dinesh Kaushal, a blind man in his 20s, can now
hear the Hindi words that pop up on his computer screen.
President A P J Abdul Kalam presented Kaushal on Saturday
with the first version of a software that can translate an
Indian-language text into speech.

Kaushal, who is a computer professional despite being blind,
has previously used such software to hear English-language
text. The new software, developed by state-run International
Institute for Information Technology, could help hundreds of
thousands of India's blind to read, or learn, what they
can't see on a computer screen.

The institute's director said the software, which now works
for text in Hindi and Telugu, will cover all 14 major Indian
languages.

"This is just beginning. The first software took a lot of
time and energy because it involved mastering a new
technology. But now we will be able to extend it to the
other languages faster," said Rajeev Sangal, the director.

Source URL:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?artid=40
446416


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